Receiver Hitch for 2008 Prius?
#1
Receiver Hitch for 2008 Prius?
Hello all. We're planning our summer vacation and would like to take bikes on our trip. I briefly considered a roof-rack until I realized how much it would cost - and the MPG hit we'd take.
I'm now considering a hitch-mounted bike carrier, but in my looking I've come up with lots of questions. If you can answer any of my questions below I'd appreciate it.
- Is a 2" hitch better (more stable) than a 1-1/4" hitch?
- Is price important? I've seen prices from $149.00 to $93.95.
- Has anyone used a small "platform-style" cargo carrier with their hitch?
Thanks for any information you can pass along.
I'm now considering a hitch-mounted bike carrier, but in my looking I've come up with lots of questions. If you can answer any of my questions below I'd appreciate it.
- Is a 2" hitch better (more stable) than a 1-1/4" hitch?
- Is price important? I've seen prices from $149.00 to $93.95.
- Has anyone used a small "platform-style" cargo carrier with their hitch?
Thanks for any information you can pass along.
#2
Re: Receiver Hitch for 2008 Prius?
...
- Is a 2" hitch better (more stable) than a 1-1/4" hitch? (Yes, 2" is more universal giving you more options.)
- Is price important? I've seen prices from $149.00 to $93.95. (Quality!)
- Has anyone used a small "platform-style" cargo carrier with their hitch? (Yes but it 'scraped bottom' on some speed dips. Weight at the rear is not a good thing and should be avoided.)
...
- Is a 2" hitch better (more stable) than a 1-1/4" hitch? (Yes, 2" is more universal giving you more options.)
- Is price important? I've seen prices from $149.00 to $93.95. (Quality!)
- Has anyone used a small "platform-style" cargo carrier with their hitch? (Yes but it 'scraped bottom' on some speed dips. Weight at the rear is not a good thing and should be avoided.)
...
Bob Wilson
Last edited by bwilson4web; 06-24-2008 at 12:44 PM.
#4
Re: Receiver Hitch for 2008 Prius?
I carried the ~200 lb., portable trailer from Harbor Freight about 6 miles and had a few 'scrapes' but I kept my speed low and it was a short distance. Sleeping bags in large, empty chests should work just fine along with light weight bicycles.
As a suggestion, before the trip do a test run. Head over to a home shopping center with the rear carrier and measure the distance to the ground. Then try some known weight items ... concrete bags or other construction material. As you add a load, measure the change in deflection. When you reach the load limit, unload and measure again as each item comes off. This will give you a rough scale so when you put the real load on it, you'll have a rough idea about how much is on it.
Bob Wilson
#6
Re: Receiver Hitch for 2008 Prius?
Coastal Tech (http://www.coastaletech.com/04hitch.htm) makes a 2-inch receiver hitch for the Prius.
A 1-1/4 inch receiver hitch is less expensive, but I believe the 2-inch receiver hitch will be more stable if I'm putting a bike carrier on it.
Just my two cents worth. ;-)
A 1-1/4 inch receiver hitch is less expensive, but I believe the 2-inch receiver hitch will be more stable if I'm putting a bike carrier on it.
Just my two cents worth. ;-)
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