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

Permanent roof rack and rear bike rack

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by aolm, Jun 17, 2013.

  1. aolm

    aolm Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2005
    82
    2
    3
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five

    Attached Files:

  2. Offline

    Offline Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    637
    230
    0
    Location:
    Lenexa, Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Install a permanent roof rack on the resin panoramic roof of the Prius v Five? Can that be done? At the bottom of the following page you can see the temporary roof rack and the hitch bike rack available for the Prius+/v in Europe: Toyota Prius+ - The cleanest family car.
     
  3. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    1,409
    395
    0
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    And permanently ruin the aerodynamics?
     
  4. dan_rc3

    dan_rc3 Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2013
    15
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    As far as the question related to whether you can install a permanent roof rack on the Five with the Advanced Tech Package, I was told by a very helpful guy at Rack Attack Portland that you cannot install a permanent version, but can definitely install a normal, Thule bars and feet rack. I plan to get a the Thule aeroblade on the Rapid Traverse Foot Pack installed this weekend on my Five with the tech package. If you browse Thule.com for awhile, you will start to learn the options, including their fit guide. The idea with the Feet and Bar, 'temporary' rack, is that the feet only sit ontop of the doors, above the door connection point. No weight is ever on the panoramic roof.

    Rack Attack Portland - Oregon Location
     
  5. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2012
    1,621
    375
    0
    Location:
    SF, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    I think the limit of the hitch will be the tongue capacity, which is 200lbs for a Class 1 hitch. So just total all the bikes up along with the rack. I think personally I would not get that close to the limit on the Prius. I've only carried 2 bikes on mine which total just over 100lbs.
     
  6. Offline

    Offline Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    637
    230
    0
    Location:
    Lenexa, Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    I doubt if each of your bicycles is close to 50 pounds. My fat tire large frame mountain bike weights 28 pounds and my road bike is way under 20 pounds.
     
  7. aolm

    aolm Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2005
    82
    2
    3
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    i'm getting the five with out the panoramic roof ... any experience? The dealer says there is no permanent solution.
     
  8. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2012
    1,621
    375
    0
    Location:
    SF, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Persona

    I didn't say you can't. It's gross which mean you have to add hitch rack. Hitch rack average between 40-50lbs. Average bike can easily be 30 lbs. to 35 lbs. Downhill rigs now a days, even more! So can get close to the 200lb mark.

    Reason I think 200 lbs limit shouldn't be tested with bike rack is because certain 4 bike racks extend out quite far. The Yakima Hold up for instance, extend out over 3 feet with 4 bike option! This acts as a cantilever and forces are multiplied due to that. Yes, there are safety margins calculated in. What can be done as a safety measure is load the heaviest bike closest to the car.
     
  9. Megan2044

    Megan2044 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2012
    41
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Ok, I think this answers my question. I was told only to load 2 bikes on a 4 Bike Vertex Thule because of Torque with a class I hitch. I have 2 adult bikes (a little heavier because hybrids not road bikes) and 2 kids 24". I think if I add this with weight of bike rack probably close to the 200 lb mark. My problem is I can not find a class II hitch for the Prius V and I think if I installed a class III hitch it would be hard to prove I was only carrying bikes and potentially void warranty.
     
  10. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2012
    1,621
    375
    0
    Location:
    SF, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    I don't see how anyone will even make a class ii hitch for prius. That's just too much load for this car
     
  11. aolm

    aolm Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2005
    82
    2
    3
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Did you get the roof rack?