The Prius is just as stylish as it is mobile. Leave no stone unturned when adventuring in this car.

So quiet, you will never hear it coming! Your Prius can now be outfitted with a Torklift EcoHitch. Drive to the great outdoors and remain economically friendly while doing it. Enjoy a nice long hike up a mountain or a long bike ride across the shores of the Pacific. With an EcoHitch installed on your Prius, you can haul hiking gear, or bikes to wherever you need. Eliminate borders and test the limits of your Prius this summer. The EcoHitch transports your cargo or bikes wherever your Prius can take them. That being said, not everybody is familiar with the operation and driving style changes that come into effect when adding bike racks and cargo trays to the back of your Prius. If you are unfamiliar with hauling, use our helpful guide below to get you on your way to your next journey!

1.) Know Your Capacity

The first thing you need to know before hauling bikes with your Prius is the weight capacity that the hatchback is able to handle for towing and hauling. The capacity of your Prius can be found in the owner’s manual. It’s important to stay within these weight capacities to prevent any potential damage.

2.) Get Hitched

With a hitch installed on your Prius, it makes your vehicle even more versatile!

The EcoHitch for the Toyota Prius is designed to have the cross tubes hidden behind the bumper, so you get as much clearance as possible with the hitch installed. The Prius hitch can come in two different receiver sizes. A 1-¼” receiver and a 2” receiver. Because of the two different sizes available, this  Prius hitch is compatible with a variety of accessories including cargo trays, bike racks and more! Unlike roof racks that interfere with the aerodynamics of your vehicle, loading accessories using your EcoHitch will also eliminate vertical clearance issues and potential damage to your Prius while loading and unloading.

The EcoHitch for the Toyota Prius has tongue weight rates ranging from 300 pounds to 525 pounds depending on your vehicle. The EcoHitch for the Toyota Prius has towing weight ranging from 2,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds depending on your Prius. The EcoHitch was built to meet stringent national SAE J684 towing safety standards using state-of-the-art testing methods.

This 100 percent bolt-on hitch installation requires absolutely no drilling into the car’s frame. That means that you will have plenty of years of use without having to worry about the frame of your vehicle rusting because of the drilling that’s common with other trailer hitches.

3.) Practice makes perfect

Because a bike rack will add weight to the back of your Prius and lower visibility from the back window, it is advised that you take a few practice drives to get used to the differences. This will help you become comfortable with a hauler on the back.

Pro Tip: hauling with your Toyota Prius is going to feel different than normal driving, and you’ll need to adjust your driving style. That means you’ll need to add more space between you and the vehicles in front of you, and remember that when you’re backing up, you have an accessory installed in the back. Your bike rack is going to need further clearance behind your vehicle.

4.) Have an adventure

Don't forget to have fun while you're hauling extra cargo and bikes with your Prius!

Now that you have your hitch installation completed, you are within your hauling limits and have done a couple of practice runs – you are ready to hit the road! With a hitch installed on the Prius, you can now bring more items with you including bikes, a cargo tray and more. No matter the journey, or the destination, the Torklift EcoHitch and Prius will help you get there safely and with all your cargo. Whether planning a biking, camping or fishing trip, or a picnic in nature, just remember that the most important thing is to tow safely and to have fun. But don’t limit your fun to just summer activities. Attach ski racks to your hitch and hit the slopes for an epic powder day.

If you’re interested in getting your Prius a hitch receiver for all your bike rack and accessory needs – read below for further information on the Prius EcoHitch!

Prius EcoHitch Features: 

  • Completely concealed design - only receiver is visible when installed
  • 100 percent bolt-on installation - no drilling required
  • Engineered to meet stringent national SAE J684 towing safety standards
  • Available in a 2 inch and a 1-1/4 inch reveiver.
  • Does not affect ground clearance
  • Coated with high impact powder coat for durability
  • Avoid overhead lifting common with roof racks and maintain your vehicle’s aerodynamic design
  • Material can include a qualified combination of aerospace grade aluminum, stainless steel or steel*
  • Eco-friendly, made with recycled materials
  • Lightweight
  • Free shipping to lower 48 states
  • Made in U.S.A
  • Lifetime Warranty

*Depending on the application, the product can include a combination of up to three qualified materials

2010-2015 Prius/Prius Plugin EcoHitch Trailer Hitch fits:

  • 2010 Toyota Prius EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7178 (2”) and x7179 (1-1/4”)
  • 2011 Toyota Prius EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7178 (2”) and x7179 (1-1/4”)
  • 2012 Toyota Prius EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7178 (2”) and x7179 (1-1/4”)
  • 2013 Toyota Prius EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7178 (2”) and x7179 (1-1/4”)
  • 2014 Toyota Prius EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7178 (2”) and x7179 (1-1/4”)
  • 2015 Toyota Prius EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7178 (2”) and x7179 (1-1/4”)
  • 2010 Toyota Prius Plugin EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7178 (2”) and x7179 (1-1/4”)
  • 2011 Toyota Prius Plugin EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7178 (2”) and x7179 (1-1/4”)
  • 2012 Toyota Prius Plugin EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7178 (2”) and x7179 (1-1/4”)
  • 2013 Toyota Prius Plugin EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7178 (2”) and x7179 (1-1/4”)
  • 2014 Toyota Prius Plugin EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7178 (2”) and x7179 (1-1/4”)
  • 2015 Toyota Prius Plugin EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7178 (2”) and x7179 (1-1/4”)

 

2004-2009 Prius Gen II EcoHitch Trailer Hitch fits:

  • 2004 Toyota Prius Gen II EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7196 (2”) and x7197 (1-1/4”)
  • 2005 Toyota Prius Gen II EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7196 (2”) and x7197 (1-1/4”)
  • 2006 Toyota Prius Gen II EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7196 (2”) and x7197 (1-1/4”)
  • 2007 Toyota Prius Gen II EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7196 (2”) and x7197 (1-1/4”)
  • 2008 Toyota Prius Gen II EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7196 (2”) and x7197 (1-1/4”)
  • 2009 Toyota Prius Gen II EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7196 (2”) and x7197 (1-1/4”)

2012-2017 Prius V EcoHitch fits:

  • 2012 Toyota Prius V EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7192 (2”) and x7193 (1-1/4”)
  • 2013 Toyota Prius V EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7192 (2”) and x7193 (1-1/4”)
  • 2014 Toyota Prius V EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7192 (2”) and x7193 (1-1/4”)
  • 2015 Toyota Prius V EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7192 (2”) and x7193 (1-1/4”)
  • 2016 Toyota Prius V EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7192 (2”) and x7193 (1-1/4”)
  • 2017 Toyota Prius V EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7192 (2”) and x7193 (1-1/4”)

2012-2016 Prius C EcoHitch fits:

  • 2012 Toyota Prius C EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7194 (2”) and x7195 (1-1/4”)
  • 2013 Toyota Prius C EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7194 (2”) and x7195 (1-1/4”)
  • 2014 Toyota Prius C EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7194 (2”) and x7195 (1-1/4”)
  • 2015 Toyota Prius C EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7194 (2”) and x7195 (1-1/4”)
  • 2016 Toyota Prius C EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7194 (2”) and x7195 (1-1/4”)

2017 Prius Prime EcoHitch fits:

  • 2017 Toyota Prius Prime EcoHitch trailer hitch – part x7169 (2”)

 

To learn more about EcoHitch for the Prius, give us a call at 877-343-6933, or visit the Prius page. Your Toyota Prius has the potential energy to spark inspiration wherever it goes, and with the EcoHitch trailer hitch it’s even more versatile and ready for adventure!

Get Out and Go with EcoHitch!

nateWritten by Nathan Miller:
As a graduate from Eastern Washington University, Nathan received his degree in marketing. He enjoys people and partaking in anything outdoors. Nathan once had a staring contest with an owl and won. He is the most interesting writer in the Torklift Universe.