Thule T2, Yakima HookUp, Saris Cycle-On with Prius?

onree · 02-04-2007, 07:25 PM

So I have a new 2007 Prius (!) and am busy now outfitting it with all the extras. For example -- a bike rack. On my old Mazda, I strapped the bikes (we have 2) onto the trunk. With the Prius, I think I would prefer the hitch-mounted ones that hold the bikes from the wheels, not the kind where you hang off the top bar.

There seem to be three popular versions of this: the Thule T2, the Yakima HookUp, and the Saris Cycle-On. They seem to all cost roughly the same (about $325 online). Has anyone had good or bad experiences with any of these and the Prius? I'm concerned about all the usual things -- ease of connecting/disconnecting, ease of use, security of bikes, visibility/safety, and access to trunk.

darelldd · 02-06-2007, 01:14 AM

Congrats on the new car.

I'm wondering about this as well. Seems I spend more on ways to carry my bikes, than on the bikes themselves! Would like a nice hitch mount that doesn't touch the frame of the bikes though - now that I have a full carbon road bike in the stable.

onree · 02-08-2007, 12:07 AM

Doesn't seem like there's a lot of other interest in this topic! There's another user on these boards who has posted a few times about the 1upusa Ultra-Rack (google for it) -- it looks like a perfect solution, since it's the lightest I've seen, and it allows for both 1 1/4" hitch (Prius) and 2" hitch (future vehicle). Unfortunately, it's both expensive AND out of stock.

darelldd · 02-08-2007, 01:25 AM

Here it is. Sounds dreamy. Looks a bit Erector-Setish unfortunately.

http://www.1upusa.com/1upusarackhome.htm

$100 more than the other solutions, but the shipping is free!

While I'm at it, here is the Saris:
http://www.saris.com/p-233-cycle-on.aspx

And the Thule T2
http://www.thuleracks.com/Thule/product.as...d=8&sku=917

And the Yakima Hookup:
http://yakima.com/Product.aspx?id=102

shark29er · 02-08-2007, 08:05 PM

We just got a Prius and am also thinking aloud about the rack choices as we have a slew of mountain bikes and racks for various vehicles. You may want to go to the forums at places like Mountain Bike Review.

http://forums.mtbr.com/

Do a search there and see what comes up, I'll guarantee, there will be a lot of info.

Have you already installed your hitch mount? I have a 2" hitch rack and wonder if there are any 2" hitches out there for such a small car. I have been told by a number of people that 2" hitches are far superior than 1.25" for bike racks because of the movement and rattling around that happens with the bike rack.

I have an old Hollywood which is slightily similar to the Saris Cycle-On and I have been lusting for one of those ever since I saw one.

Good luck.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(onree @ Feb 8 2007, 12:07 AM) [snapback]386833[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Doesn't seem like there's a lot of other interest in this topic! There's another user on these boards who has posted a few times about the 1upusa Ultra-Rack (google for it) -- it looks like a perfect solution, since it's the lightest I've seen, and it allows for both 1 1/4" hitch (Prius) and 2" hitch (future vehicle). Unfortunately, it's both expensive AND out of stock.
[/b]

darelldd · 02-08-2007, 09:06 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Shark29eer @ Feb 8 2007, 05:05 PM) [snapback]387192[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Have you already installed your hitch mount? I have a 2" hitch rack and wonder if there are any 2" hitches out there for such a small car.[/b]

Yup, many of us have hitch mounts. U-Haul makes one (by Curt) and Coastal makes one. Coastal is the only one I know of that make the 2" however.

Quote:

I have been told by a number of people that 2" hitches are far superior than 1.25" for bike racks because of the movement and rattling around that happens with the bike rack.[/b]

This I don't agree with. I specifically wanted a 1.25" hitch for clearance and compatibility with everything else I have. If bolted up properly, there is no movement or rattling with a smaller hitch. Without bolting it up properly, you'll get plenty of movement and rattling with a 2". I've used nothing but 1.25" for my last four vehicles.

slvr_phoenix · 02-13-2007, 04:40 PM

I don't have a bike anymore, but I am interested in trailer hitches. Any information on the towing capacity of a Prius and more to the point, how it handles while towing, would be greatly appreciated.

KTPhil · 02-13-2007, 10:39 PM

Towing capacity is zero, nada, zilch, naught. Check your owner's manual and warrantee document.

Total carrying capacity is about 800#, so with a load of people there is usually no capacity left for a towed trailer. Also, the HSD/VSC/TC/ABS is not set up to deal with the heavier weight. Lastly, it may void your powertrain warrantee.

ALso, check out this thread:
Link

Nonetheless, some have done it, with lightweight trailers towing canoes, ATV, etc.

Proceed at your own risk!

darelldd · 02-13-2007, 10:42 PM

Please note that you risk voiding the warranty just as quickly by driving over the posted speed limit - which of course ALSO puts extra stress on all components.

KTPhil · 02-13-2007, 11:31 PM

"Please note that you risk voiding the warranty just as quickly by driving over the posted speed limit - which of course ALSO puts extra stress on all components."
Can you cite this clause in the warrantee documents?
I don't think driving 35 in a 30 zone voids my warrantee...

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02-04-2007, 07:25 PM	#1
onree Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central NJ Posts: 49 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	So I have a new 2007 Prius (!) and am busy now outfitting it with all the extras. For example -- a bike rack. On my old Mazda, I strapped the bikes (we have 2) onto the trunk. With the Prius, I think I would prefer the hitch-mounted ones that hold the bikes from the wheels, not the kind where you hang off the top bar. There seem to be three popular versions of this: the Thule T2, the Yakima HookUp, and the Saris Cycle-On. They seem to all cost roughly the same (about $325 online). Has anyone had good or bad experiences with any of these and the Prius? I'm concerned about all the usual things -- ease of connecting/disconnecting, ease of use, security of bikes, visibility/safety, and access to trunk.

02-06-2007, 01:14 AM	#2
darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern CA Posts: 5,336 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 18 Thanked 44 Times in 32 Posts Friends: 12	Congrats on the new car. I'm wondering about this as well. Seems I spend more on ways to carry my bikes, than on the bikes themselves! Would like a nice hitch mount that doesn't touch the frame of the bikes though - now that I have a full carbon road bike in the stable.

02-08-2007, 12:07 AM	#3
onree Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central NJ Posts: 49 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Doesn't seem like there's a lot of other interest in this topic! There's another user on these boards who has posted a few times about the 1upusa Ultra-Rack (google for it) -- it looks like a perfect solution, since it's the lightest I've seen, and it allows for both 1 1/4" hitch (Prius) and 2" hitch (future vehicle). Unfortunately, it's both expensive AND out of stock.

02-08-2007, 01:25 AM	#4
darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern CA Posts: 5,336 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 18 Thanked 44 Times in 32 Posts Friends: 12	Here it is. Sounds dreamy. Looks a bit Erector-Setish unfortunately. http://www.1upusa.com/1upusarackhome.htm $100 more than the other solutions, but the shipping is free! While I'm at it, here is the Saris: http://www.saris.com/p-233-cycle-on.aspx And the Thule T2 http://www.thuleracks.com/Thule/product.as...d=8&sku=917 And the Yakima Hookup: http://yakima.com/Product.aspx?id=102

02-13-2007, 04:40 PM	#7
slvr_phoenix Tinker Gnome Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 84 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I don't have a bike anymore, but I am interested in trailer hitches. Any information on the towing capacity of a Prius and more to the point, how it handles while towing, would be greatly appreciated.

02-13-2007, 10:39 PM	#8
KTPhil Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,313 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Towing capacity is zero, nada, zilch, naught. Check your owner's manual and warrantee document. Total carrying capacity is about 800#, so with a load of people there is usually no capacity left for a towed trailer. Also, the HSD/VSC/TC/ABS is not set up to deal with the heavier weight. Lastly, it may void your powertrain warrantee. ALso, check out this thread: Link Nonetheless, some have done it, with lightweight trailers towing canoes, ATV, etc. Proceed at your own risk!

02-13-2007, 10:42 PM	#9
darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern CA Posts: 5,336 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 18 Thanked 44 Times in 32 Posts Friends: 12	Please note that you risk voiding the warranty just as quickly by driving over the posted speed limit - which of course ALSO puts extra stress on all components.

02-13-2007, 11:31 PM	#10
KTPhil Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,313 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	"Please note that you risk voiding the warranty just as quickly by driving over the posted speed limit - which of course ALSO puts extra stress on all components." Can you cite this clause in the warrantee documents? I don't think driving 35 in a 30 zone voids my warrantee...