bike racks for Gen III

I just use a trunk mounted rack which is 2 bike capacity. The straps up to the top of the hatch are pretty long so I have permanently bonded the straps. I only carry road bikes so I don't know if this is helpful. I have a sunroof so mounting on the top is out of the question.

 

I don't get that either, loopy. Sure, the hitch adds weight and degrades aerodynamics, but no more so than on any other car. Plenty of folks have used hitches on Gen II's.

I've also seen people fold the rear seats and haul multiple bikes inside, which is a great alternative if only 2 people or less.

 

just in passing guys i did not use any rack on my gen2 and my gen 3 is bigger. i just folded the rear seats and put the bike in complete with wheel on. . i think that works great when there is only one bike and one peop (me)

 

None.

The rack on back fits great, wrapping around the spoiler without trouble. I tried my Saris Bones 3-bike rack.

Photos on the way... eventually... rather busy at the moment.
.

 

Me too, this could be just what I'm looking for.

 

Saris claims the Guardian line will fit the 2010, just ordered one through my local Trek shop.

I installed the Saris Guardian rack on my 2010 Prius today, 7/25/09. Check out my album for two photos.

 

Even less than the 2004 Prius, since the 2010 is pushed further back taking pressure almost completely off the glass.

Of course, the arms touching the glass are for nothing but stability anyway... since the wind from driving reduces the weight on them to pretty much nothing.

Support for the bikes is on the vertical legs. Here's photos from the Iconic model... bike rack
.

 

This looks really good, John. It appears the hatch can't be opened without removing the rack, correct? Is it as quick as it looks to install and remove it?

 

Glad to hear, I got a Saris Bones 3-bike rear rack too, red one at that, sitting in the garage from a former car. So

 

I have a Yakima Receiver Hitch Rack from my Tahoe. I am planning on getting a hitch installed on the Prius to attach the rack. I have seen the warning posts about installing a hitch mounted rack.

Has anyone had a receiver installed on their Prius yet?

 

Not recommended does not mean "will void your warranty". That 'warning' didn't exist in the '04 and '05 owners manual, started in the '06 when Toyota saw that the 'towing not recommended' (even though the service manual has items to check more often if towing, a sentence that is also in the '06 manual) didn't keep people from getting receiver hitches for bike racks. I don't know what their issue is regarding hitch mounted racks unless they are concerned some idiot will load it up so much the front wheels start to lift. Certainly the drag of bikes on the back will be less than bikes on the roof. Even a light trailer with a tongue weight of 10 to 20 pounds would be less drag than a roof mounted cargo carrier. You'll find a number of PriusChatters have successfully used small trailers with no ill effects.

I have a Saris Bones 3 bike rack. Most of the weight is on the rear bumper and I pad the top straps with pipe insulation. The top straps don't pull down on the spoiler though. Check this picture on John's site (I have the same rack and two of the same bike, though I've not had a need to put both on the rack at the same time.) http://john1701a.com/prius/thumbnails/Prius_RecumbentBikes_03.jpg We have only used it for relatively short distances and not on the Interstate so I don't know if that would make a difference. I think the spoiler on the 2010 is a bit larger than the 2004-2009 which might make a difference, I suggest you go to the bike store and do a trial fit of ANY rack you buy to see where it , or any bikes might contact the spoiler.

I also have a 2" receiver hitch (Coastal Tech) and a 45" Masterbuilt Hitch Haul Sport plus 48" cargo bag. Used the combination (first and only time since I just got the cargo tray and bag a month ago for a trip I knew would not allow 4 passengers and gear for the trip) last month. NO PROBLEMS! I actually bought the hitch for this exact purpose not long after getting the car but didn't run into anything I couldn't handle inside the car until now. 4 people lots 'o gear, 150 miles Interstate and country road, 55 MPG. See my album. Since I already had the Saris for my prior vehicle AND we don't use the rack all that often AND the receiver bike racks are expensive, I haven't bought a hitch rack.

 

Hey there - I really like the Saris Bones 3 rack but I don't see any pictures with the GEN 3 Prius - these pictures are all with the GEN 2 Prius. Does anyone know for sure that it works with the new 2010 prius?

 

Just so you know Thule has clips for the 2010 Prius. I had a hitch on my gen II and have a hitch mount bike rack. I am waiting on Curt to come out with a hitch. Hopefully by the end of July it will be out.

 

I had a Saris bones when I purchased my 2010 Prius and I was unable to install it. I took it back to the local Trek shop where I purchased it, they could not install it either. I wound up selling the bones and ordered the Saris guardian which I picked up on Saturday, installed it and added two photos to my album. It's a great fit for the 2010 Prius.

 

The "not recommended" might also have something to do with reduced rear visibility with your eyeballs or the rear video camera system when the bikes are mounted. The lawyers are always working on stuff like that.

Personally, if a top hitch mfgr. has a 1½" model that's well designed for the '10 and won't necessitate the cutting of the plastic around the rear bumper, I'd do it. The convenience of a hitch bike rack is superior to messing with straps and rubber pads (which can scratch glass or paint is there's dirt or gravel on the pad). Just remember to tell the installer (or the dude quoting the install) that it's for a bicycle rack and they don't need to add the towing electrical connections.

EDIT: Looked under the backside of the car today. Tons of plastic covering much of, well, everything. How the heck can they attach anything to the frame back there?