Coastal Electronics Tow Hitch

Alnilam · 07-01-2006, 12:39 AM

I put the tow hitch on today and it went easy, The enclosed directions/pictures seemed to be for a different model than the 2006.

All I had to do was remove the bottom-left protective cover (about a foot and a half square) that is held on by a few screws and push-on plugs. Next, remove the two steel vertical tiedown brackets, left and right, two bolts each. (Save the bolts.) Remove the left end of the trailer hitch, (small piece using two bolts,) and mount this in the place where you just removed the left tiedown bracket. Next, reinstall the protective cover. Now connect the rest of the tow hitch assembly. The left end rejoins the piece you had just disconnected and mounted, and the right end mounts in the same holes as the right side tiedown bracket. Don't tighten until all bolts are started in.

If the muffler looks like it is going to rattle against the rack, put the included o-clamp arount the muffler rubber shock mount and tighten it to raise the muffler as needed.

That's it. I did it on a lift but probably could have just slid underneath the car and done it all. Just easier in the air.

I got the 1 1/4 inch version because I own a same-size Thule 4-bike carrier used on another car with a 1 1/4 inch tow hitch. I don't intend to carry more than two bikes on my Prius. I read where the hitch assembly also acts as a frame stiffener but haven't really noticed any real difference in the ride.

Now if I run out of gas AND electricity I can still press on! :P

silentak1 · 07-01-2006, 11:26 AM

I agree. Installation was a breeze, but it did require a little bit of muscle to hold the hitch while attaching it to the car. Nothing hard; just 30 seconds of sweat.

I recommend that you add a CAP to the end or it will quickly start rusting.

07-01-2006, 12:39 AM	#1
Alnilam The One in the Middle Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 760 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I put the tow hitch on today and it went easy, The enclosed directions/pictures seemed to be for a different model than the 2006. All I had to do was remove the bottom-left protective cover (about a foot and a half square) that is held on by a few screws and push-on plugs. Next, remove the two steel vertical tiedown brackets, left and right, two bolts each. (Save the bolts.) Remove the left end of the trailer hitch, (small piece using two bolts,) and mount this in the place where you just removed the left tiedown bracket. Next, reinstall the protective cover. Now connect the rest of the tow hitch assembly. The left end rejoins the piece you had just disconnected and mounted, and the right end mounts in the same holes as the right side tiedown bracket. Don't tighten until all bolts are started in. If the muffler looks like it is going to rattle against the rack, put the included o-clamp arount the muffler rubber shock mount and tighten it to raise the muffler as needed. That's it. I did it on a lift but probably could have just slid underneath the car and done it all. Just easier in the air. I got the 1 1/4 inch version because I own a same-size Thule 4-bike carrier used on another car with a 1 1/4 inch tow hitch. I don't intend to carry more than two bikes on my Prius. I read where the hitch assembly also acts as a frame stiffener but haven't really noticed any real difference in the ride. Now if I run out of gas AND electricity I can still press on! :P __________________ "Mars is essentially in the same orbit...Mars is somewhat the same distance from the Sun, which is very important. We have seen pictures where there are canals, we believe, and water. If there is water, that means there is oxygen. If oxygen, that means we can breathe." Dan Quayle *W6TWA* Coastal 1 1/4" Hitch BT Brace Toyota XM Robin's MFD Shade Motion Bypass Switch Zaino Forever! Coastal EV Package ScanGuage II Beltronics Vector 985 Radar Detector

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07-01-2006, 11:26 AM	#2
silentak1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 546 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I agree. Installation was a breeze, but it did require a little bit of muscle to hold the hitch while attaching it to the car. Nothing hard; just 30 seconds of sweat. I recommend that you add a CAP to the end or it will quickly start rusting.