1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

looking for a hitch for a cross country move

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by Dusty rug, Jun 8, 2021.

  1. Dusty rug

    Dusty rug Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2020
    47
    32
    0
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    im going to be moving 1500 miles away from where i am now and im wondering what class of hitch i would need, im moving about 400 to 500 pounds worth of stuff with me. ive been looking at u hual but im not that educated about this subject. maybe i would also tow a small camper after the move too.
     
  2. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,125
    2,182
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    I have this one on my 2012 Prius v. Installation was easy with no panel removal.

    https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Toyota/Prius+v/2014/24847.html?VehicleID=20141140044

    I used this ball mount with the hitch.

    TowSmart 3,500 lb. 2-1/2 in. Drop, 2 in. Rise, 3/4 in. Shank Class II X-Mount Reversible Trailer Hitch Ball Mount-700 - The Home Depot

    The mount is a Class II, but it has concave sides. There is a small tab inside the hitch's 1-1/4 inch tube that prevents it from sliding in. I used a triangular file to file away part of the tab, and it now works perfectly. The drop is ideally suited for the Prius v and keeps the trailer level.

    I didn't like all of those extra wiring and plugs, so I had my dad's friend install this one for me. He even posted a review of my installion of Amazon.



    And, it works perfectly with my class 1 trailer.
     
    #2 Georgina Rudkus, Jun 8, 2021
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2021
  3. privilege

    privilege Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2021
    659
    165
    0
    Location:
    Birmingham
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    the e trailer never arrived, so I bought the same hitch receiver from Amazon. it's a ten minute install (twenty if you're picky) and takes a minute to hook up a trailer.

    found a 5x8 for 300$ and it pulls nice.

    get yourself a couple of parking whips to go on the corners so you can see which way it's moving, the Prius hides everything. oh ya, and ditch the tail gate
     
  4. Dusty rug

    Dusty rug Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2020
    47
    32
    0
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    i am looking at the u haul class 1 hitch, my main concorn is will it be enough to move all of my stuff without worrying about a failer? im maining looking to tow a washer/dryer and a qween bed with box spring in a trailer. the route goes through the rocky mountains so im a little worried about this.

    i am planning to install it my self but i have a deadline of 20 days to get it on so i dont trust some of those hitch sits since their arrival date is so close to move out time. there are trailer hitch store near me too.
     
  5. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    3,296
    1,006
    0
    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    UHAUL is another good source of hitches. Have you checked them/their website yet?

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,605
    4,460
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I would read the caution in the manual
     
    Tim Jones likes this.
  7. Dusty rug

    Dusty rug Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2020
    47
    32
    0
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    i did see that in the manual say i have zero towing cap but i did see that other people have hauled trailers before and its far cheaper to install a hitch and rent a trailer then to rent a truck lol the total price for uhaul is about 230$ i mean the 300$ class 3 hitch is temping but sadly im trying to move on a budget lol

    ill have to take it slow and easy on the speed and watch how much i push it during my trip. i orded a complete kit from uhaul so im hoping itll all go good
     
    jzchen likes this.
  8. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    3,296
    1,006
    0
    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    @Dusty rug Have fluids changed with the good synthetic stuff for a layer of protection...

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  9. privilege

    privilege Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2021
    659
    165
    0
    Location:
    Birmingham
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    rent a moving van, stuff it tight, then pull the Prius in behind your stuff.

    guys have been doing this with smaller cars forever.

    pros:
    zero stress on your daily
    zero worries about "making it" over the mountains
    cool AC and plenty of power

    cons:
    have you seen the mpg a uhaul can gets?
    have your seen fuel prices?
    moving always sucks
     
    MVPLRJohnson likes this.
  10. Dusty rug

    Dusty rug Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2020
    47
    32
    0
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    thanks guys, i dont have much to move, i think its about 350 pounds alltogether, i do my own oil and use fullsyth, i recently cleaned out my air intake and EGR, also installed a oil catch can, im even thinking about changing the fuel filter but im pretty sure thats in the tank so itll take me a while to for that lol thank god i drive a prius, takes 20$ for a full tank in denver, in LA where im moving too it might be 25-30$ im not looking forward to that!

    ill post some updates based on my trip and install, might help others with these ideals
     
  11. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,125
    2,182
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    If you are moving to Los Angeles, you might want to install a cat shield, since catalytic converter theft is very high, there.

    Also, the oil catch can might not pass the C.A.R.B. smog inspection, there.
     
  12. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    3,296
    1,006
    0
    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Welcome. We're in the $4.xx range I'm afraid just an FYI...

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  13. Dusty rug

    Dusty rug Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2020
    47
    32
    0
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    i cant believe we have to worry about our catalytic converters being cut off our cars ever since i heard about it ive been paranoid about leaving my car outside lol

    the gasbuddy app is telling me costco is around 3.50$ around LA so thats not that bad, im not looking forward to all the extra taxes down there, if i didnt get free room/board down there i would never consider it
     
    jzchen likes this.
  14. Dusty rug

    Dusty rug Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2020
    47
    32
    0
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    prius towing.jpg i did it! i fully loaded this trailer with 2 queen sized mattresses a washer and dryer and the rest of my stuff including some heavy tools. before i lefted for my 1200 mile drive i did a full oil and cooling system fluid change. it drove pretty smooth for the most part and i planed ahead knowing its going to drink oil no matter what i did so i bought 5 qt of oil just in case.

    Driving challenges weren't that difficult to get used too unless you never towed anything in other trucks, i had to reduce speed going up inclines to about 35 mph since my trailer was pretty heavy and i didnt want to blow it with overworking it to death, i ended up having to use 4.5 qt of oil after i got out of utah since i basically burned all of my oil by then. my avg mpg was 32 so doing this was vastly cheaper then using a truck. avge speed 65 mph

    i was worried about long term damg i could have done by towing this much weight so after i got in LA on the 2nd i did alot of driving without the trailer, long highway driving to see if my mpg was effected, i noticed no change so im still gettting the 48 mpg i was getting back in denver. i havent lost any oil in the 500 miles i drove since i got here either so, i would recommend towing with the prius v! ill be doing the same thing when i move back to colorado and out of this blast furnace hell scape these people call California lol

    on a side note i did love seeing people look at me on the highway like they couldn't belive a prius couldn't tow anything lol
     
    privilege and Georgina Rudkus like this.
  15. PriusVTurtle

    PriusVTurtle New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2021
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    How does the hitch setup from UHaul compare to other brands? I've seen other brands advertised and am trying to figure out if there is really a big difference between different hitches when it comes to safety. I would like to tow a tear drop trailer if possible.
     
  16. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,125
    2,182
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    U-Haul uses DrawTite hitches, which are the same as the ones that you can but from DrawTite vendors.
     
  17. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    3,296
    1,006
    0
    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Not sure there is a big difference as @Georgina Rudkus notes they are affiliated with a major manufacturer. They do offer one of the best optional warranties in the business for a quite reasonable price, (at least last time I checked).

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  18. privilege

    privilege Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2021
    659
    165
    0
    Location:
    Birmingham
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    hey @Dusty rug I heard you just thought about towing with a Prius and died two times. then you ordered a hitch and died again before it shipped. two more deaths during install, and five more the first time you hooked up the 4 pin plug. then, I heard you died in a firey ball of firey fire every quarter mile after that.

    obviously your post was uploaded by someone else, because you died like 3,462 times during this attempt at towing with a Prius.

    everyone knows towing with a Prius equals instant, constant, never-ending death
     
  19. bikeboy999

    bikeboy999 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2008
    43
    3
    0
    Location:
    Ottawa, Ont.
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
     
  20. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three