Trunk-Mount Bike Carrier Recommendation for 2014 Toyota Prius C-One

Question:

I'm about to buy a Toyota Prius C One. I want to make sure that the rack you sell for that model will fit on well, without water leaking into the car when it rains. There are four or five different styles of the Prius C. Will the rack fit on any style? The one I'm buying is style # One. I could not find the installation video for the Prius C, but I hope the rack will come with clear instructions.

asked by: Elvira F

Expert Reply:

We offer a wide range of trunk-mount bike racks for your 2014 Toyota Prius C-One; all options can be seen on the helpful link at right. The key factor for fit is whether your Prius has a rear spoiler. This feature can be selected using the drop-down menu at the top of the page.

Spoilers can pose a challenge to the fit of a trunk-mount rack but we offer a specialized carrier from Hollywood Racks, the Over-the-Top 2 # HRF2, that features a unique arched design that works just fine with rear spoilers. It also works on cars without spoilers. The linked video shows installation and the written instructions are linked at right.

Do note that any trunk-mount rack will prevent use of your rear wiper and your rear hatch cannot be opened with a loaded rack on the vehicle - its hinges are not intended to handle the weight of a loaded bike rack, only the weight of the hatch itself. It is recommended that you keep clean the parts of the vehicle and rack that contact each other. This will help minimize the potential for trapped dirt and road grit from impairing your paint finish.

If you prefer to avoid the wiper compatibility and hatch access issues you could instead install a light-duty Class I trailer hitch and use a hitch-mount type rack. This provides the benefits of keeping your wiper operable and letting you retain hatch access. It also means that the weight burden of the loaded 2-bike rack will not be carried by your Prius' sheet metal/hatch but rather its frame, it's strongest part. Do note that only a 2-bike rack can be used in a Class I hitch. Last, a hitch means that you can also use other hitch-mount accessory items such as a small cargo basket.

Curt hitch # C11484 installs without welding or drilling, using included hardware, and offers a 200-lb tongue weight rating. This means that the combined weight of your rack and bikes cannot exceed 200-lbs total.

With this Class I hitch installed you can choose a 2-bike hitch carrier from among those shown on the link at right. A superb example of a tilting carrier is the Thule EasyFold 2 Bike Rack # TH903202, whose lightweight aluminum build and advanced features, including locks, make it among the best options offered. It easily handles heavy bikes and it is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.

The linked articles will help you consider the best option for your particular bikes and preferences.