2" trailer hitch for the 2010 available anywhere???

FWIW...

The somewhat pricey Torklift 2" hitch for the G3 Prius may be the only game in town at this point in time if you want a 2" product. Not at all clear that Quality S Mfg is still in business. No more website & phones are disconnected. The one place that sold them, "Suspension Connection" still lists the product, but also lists April 3rd as the date when they will be in stock. I called them, and they said they haven't gotten any Prius product from Quality S since last fall but thought the company might reopen with new owners, but weren't clear whether it will ever happen.

The Torklift product looks real nice although trimming the underside panels does appear to be a pain.

 

Ive been hauling my bikes around using a Thule Helium 3-bike rack on my 05 4Runner. I didnt even consider installing a reciever hitch on my 2011 Prius until i noticed that my Thule works for both Class-I (1.25') and Class-II hitches! Now i can haul my bikes to far off places and get way better mileage than 19/gallon. I just orderd my Curt reciever hitch from Juicedhybrid.com.

 

Have you installed the Torklift hitch yet? I'm thinking of the 2" version so it fits an existing bike rack. I had ordered a suspension connection hitch but they said they would not be in stock for several months, so I canceled the order

I was also planning to install airlift bags into the rear springs (also by suspension connection at around $85). I did this on my Honda van and it does improve the ride. Has anyone else out there done that to a Prius 2nd Gen?

Thanks

 

A couple weekends ago I installed the Torklift 2" hitch on our 2011. I was holding out for a while to see if the Quality S Mfg hitch would be manufactured again, but after talking with Suspension Connection I was left with not enough confidence to keep waiting (see Company Bankruptcy Information for QUALITY S MANUFACTURING, INC for info on their Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation filing). The Torklift is a much higher priced product, but it's also a quality product.

Like anything of this sort, the first time anyone does one of these installs it will take 2 to 3x as long as the next time. The directions were just OK, and the manufacturer said they are currently rewriting them to improve clarity. The technical support via phone and email was absolutely EXCELLENT!!! It turns out that Toyota slightly changed the design of the muffler hanger, and as such I had to modify the hanger by cutting a small notch on one corner of the hanger so it would re-install under the hitch. Just used a Dremel with a metal cutting wheel and it took about 5 or 10 minutes to complete the modification. I'd suggest lowering the muffler by disconnecting both mounts while your installing the hitch. Getting the muffler out of the way will make it easier, and allow you to work with more common tools. I didn't do this, and had to use some offset wrenches and other weird stuff to do the work. You also have to make two small cutouts in some under-body metal. Luckily, I had access to a Fein Multimaster making it easy to do the cutouts. The Multimaster also made easy work of the needed modifications to the under-body plastic panel. I've not installed any of the 1 1/4" products out there, but I'd guess this one is much more involved, but is the only off-the-shelf offering in a 2" size.

The end result... It looks great, but better yet it's as solid as a rock! I had the Coastal Tech 2" on our 2G Prius, and I'd rate this one far above the Coastal. The Coastal had a bit of flex after loading the bikes. This one is just solid. It's all one piece with no screws other than the ones used to attach to the tow hook locations (I believe the Quality S was similar to the Coastal as it had at least one or possibly two sets of bolts needed to piece the hitch together. It's still rated for 200 lb tongue weight so more than 2 or 3 bikes is questionable.

Time will tell how it performs over the years, but so far I'd highly recommend the Torklift.

 

I have a 2010. Do you know if the muffler hanger was changed for the 2011 model year or will I have to grind away a portion of the hanger?

Thanks (the hitch is on its way).

 

Go to UHAUL

 

gordonr, what the brand for your bike rack?

 

I'd also like to know what kind of bike rack you are running - it looks fantastic!

I'm ordering the Torklift 2" hitch right now.

 

After some digging I found it here:

1upusa.com :: Buy Now

It looks to be a very nice product with no worries of rust!

 

In case you're interested in another option for a 2" receiver, see:

http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-prius-plug-in/108188-hitch-pip-curt-c11276-2.html#post1554982

 

Haven't looked at this site in a long time, but my bike rack is the previous generation product from 1UPUSA.com :: Home. As noted by others, it is expensive. The previous generation was significantly less expensive, but still pricey compared to others. Looks like there are some usability improvements in their new design (old one secures the wheels via a small knob with left handed threading which always makes you think). Both the hitch and rack have performed great for many years. The rack is probably about 10 years old now, gets used a lot and still going strong.

Just purchased a used 2014 Prius with under 20,000 miles and came back here to confirm which hitch I had purchased. Glad to see the Torklift is still for sale. Hopefully the 2014 won't present any new installation challenges.