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Trailer hitch?

Discussion in 'Prime Accessories and Modifications' started by MikeDee, Nov 16, 2016.

  1. moz

    moz New Member

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    I just had the Draw-Tite 24966 installed on mine. It would've been perfect for my needs but the one I received was poorly welded and not straight, angling my rack towards one side of the car. Unfortunately the installer didn't tell me and I didn't find out until I put my rack on. Hopefully Draw-Tite will do the right thing and send one that actually passed some sort of quality control.
     
  2. Joanne Villapando

    Joanne Villapando New Member

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    Google this two for access to PIP hitches
    2014 toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Trailer Hitch
    2012+ Toyota Prius Plugin Trailer Hitch EcoHitch®
     
  3. RomanCro

    RomanCro Junior Member

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    can someone please help me with advice.
    I am from European Union. Toyota does not have official tow hatch, and here in EU i can not find custom TH for my Prime.

    I found USA custom Draw Tite on Amazon, but it would not ship over seas.

    Can you please help with advice what to do?
    Regarda, Roman
     
  4. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Do you have Any friends in the USA that can ship it to you ?

    You can buy a Curt C11473 for $115 (US $) which includes free shipping inside the USA, then your friend/family member
    could ship it to you. Shipping will cost $$$...

    Last: Consider a local welding shop to make you a custom hitch, this might cost less.


    Rob43
     
  5. RomanCro

    RomanCro Junior Member

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    Thank you. I dont have any relatives in Us.

    I contacted my local welder and he told me there is no problem if I can provide specs of tow hitch.
    I can not finde it on line. Do you have any idea where could i obtain specs for hitch?
    Regards, Roman
     
  6. Old Bear

    Old Bear Senior Member

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    There is an installation instruction guide available on the Draw-Tite web site here:

    http://www.draw-tite.com/support/installation/N24966.pdf

    To fabricate your own version, you would have to have your welder measure the frame of your car and locate where the various bolt holes would need to be punched.

    Draw-Tite-24966.jpg

    This is a U.S. hitch which has a 1.25-inch receiver into which a "draw-bar" with a ball hitch or bicycle rack is inserted. I believe the standard European draw-bar ball may be a different dimension. Hence, even if you were to get one of these, you may need you welder to fabricate an appropriate connection to fit.

    The Draw-Tite hitch weighs 20.85 pounds (about 9.5 kilo) if you were to find a way to get one shipped to you from the US.

    Possibly someone in PriusChat could put you in touch with a Draw-Tite dealer who would be willing to ship internationally. I really don't know.
     
  7. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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  8. RomanCro

    RomanCro Junior Member

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    Thank you very much for info. Do you have this tow hitch installed on your vehicle?
     
  9. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    You're welcome.

    No, I have a Ford F350 4x4 for my big towing needs. (Race car tow vehicle)


    Rob43
     
  10. RomanCro

    RomanCro Junior Member

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    Thank you. What would you prefer? Which manufacturer?​
     
  11. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    I like the Curt* design a little bit better based on how they designed the receiver (Red). If you have a local welder / fabricator build it for you, I'd build it with a 2" receiver.

    Rob43


    * Both will work just fine though.

    download.jpg
     
  12. Old Bear

    Old Bear Senior Member

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    I looked into hitches for the Prime because we want to attach a bicycle rack. I favor the Draw-Tite over the Curt because the design of the Draw-Tite hitch does not require the use of a stabilizing strap when using a bicycle rack.

    "All non-trailer loads - bike racks, cargo carriers and so forth - should be supported with stabilizing straps. Failure to properly support these loads will void your hitch warranty from Curt." --eTrailer

    Prius-Prime-trailer-hitches.jpg

    The issue has to do with ability of the receiver to resist twisting and keeping the bike rack vertical with minimal sway.

    hitch-torque.jpg

    Both the Curt and the Draw-Tite hitches have 1-1/4 inch receivers which are appropriate to the towing capacity of a smaller car like the Prius Prime. The 2 inch receiver mentioned by Rob43 is pretty much the standard on larger vehicles.

    Our bike rack is designed to fit into a 1-1/4 inch receiver but came with an adapter which allows it to be used with a 2 inch receiver.

    It depends upon what you want to use your hitch for.
     
  13. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    There has been no mention of a "bicycle rack", just the need of a hitch that fits a Prime. Based on the quote from RomanCro,
    he's getting a local welder / fabricator to build it. The chances of this "One Off" hitch getting perfectly (exactly) designed like
    either of these designs are slim because there's no blueprint, the local fab guy will build what he sees fit.


    Rob43
     
  14. RomanCro

    RomanCro Junior Member

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    Thank yoo.And how do U install lights?
    If toyota didnt prepare car for towing, i reckn ther isnt electrical output connector for trailer lights?
     
  15. Old Bear

    Old Bear Senior Member

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    Actually, there is no mention of the use of the hitch at all.

    My point is that there are several loading parameters: tongue load (the vertical force pressing down on the hitch); gross towing weight, considered to be the total weight of whatever is being pulled and, in effect, the horizontal load on the hitch along the approximate axis of the vehicle and trailer; and, the rotational torque on the hitch which comes into play when using it for things like a bike rack, hitch cargo carrier, etc.

    My experience with professional metal fabricators is that they can conceive and execute intelligent and rational designs if they understand what one is trying to accomplish. Someone who just knows how to turn on an arc welder in the corner of a repair garage is usually far from a professional fabricator.

    My only point is that RomanCro should explain to his welder what loads he expects to put on the hitch assembly.
     
  16. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    LOL, you're opening up with RomanCro making a spelling mistake in post #183, you can't be taken seriously at this point.


    Rob43
     
  17. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Roman,

    You need one of these, or something just like it. This Curt C56371 wiring harness is a Plug & Play unit, you should
    have no trouble installing it. Since it's a small very lightweight box, I'm hoping you can get someone to ship it to you.

    2017 Toyota Prius Prime Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring - Curt


    Rob43
     
  18. RomanCro

    RomanCro Junior Member

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    Thank you, but I am in Eu, and we have different lights settings.
    Is there any conwersion kit that I can use like plug and play?

    Prius rear jack-----Curt wireing----EU wiering?

    Regards, Roman
     
  19. vincentrg

    vincentrg New Member

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    I'm located in the South West of France, close to Bordeaux.
    2 yrs ago I bought and installed a Curt Trailer Hitch for my 2014 Prius. I bought a 2017 Prius Prime and I will install the Curt.
    I'm travelling to the US three times a year, been a regular visitor for 40 yrs.
    I usually repack the trailer hitch and register it as a regular luggage. no extra to pay.
    You may ask people at e trailer to ship it to you, my guess is that it will cost a fortune.
     
  20. RomanCro

    RomanCro Junior Member

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    I manage to shop it from Usa. It cost me 100$ straight

    SM-G950F ?