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

Hitch on a PiP, Curt C11276

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by freundtlamp, Apr 28, 2012.

  1. radiocycle

    radiocycle Active Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2007
    550
    78
    0
    Location:
    Vallejo, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Can anyone tell if they get a hit in MPG with the hitch installed? And how bad is it with the bike(s) mounted?

    radio
     
  2. rchaput

    rchaput Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2006
    24
    5
    0
    I also installed (had installed) the Curt 1 1/4" receiver. I was able to get the 4 factory bolts out but there wasn't enough room for trailer hitch and myself. I took it to my local service station and they installed the hitch in a few minutes and charged me $ 15.00. I use the hitch for a Thule bicycle rack. Works great.
     
  3. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    712
    107
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Have any of you guys tried towing a trailer with your hitch?

    Also, how did you wire the harness for the trailer lights?

    I see that most of you guys use it for bike racks. I sold my truck in favor of the PIP and I just ordered a Curt C11276. Im planning on getting a small utility trailer for the times I need to pick up drywall, wood etc.
     
    markabele likes this.
  4. 13Plug

    13Plug Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2008
    581
    104
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I like the FSM decal ;)
     
  5. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    712
    107
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I installed the Curt trailer hitch as well as the wiring (search for camry - prius trailer wiring).
    Tonight Im going to check out a 4'x8' trailer I found on craigslist.
     
  6. mitch672

    mitch672 Technology Geek

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2004
    1,077
    197
    0
    Location:
    Randolph, MA
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Jimbo, most are installing the trailer hitch to use a bike rack or other hitch mounted accessories (extra storage shelf, external wheelchair carrier etc) Towing a trailer is not recomended for the Prius, it doesn't have much capacity for the tongue weight or extra braking capability, never mind the affect on the MPG.
     
  7. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    712
    107
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I just picked up my new 4x8 trailer. Its pretty light, probably around 300lbs. I drove for about 55 miles to pick it up and got 50mpg.
     
    mrbigh likes this.
  8. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    :) :)
     
  9. JBumps

    JBumps Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2011
    167
    57
    5
    Location:
    Morgantown, WV
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Mitch - You're selling the Prius short. There are a few threads on here with some contributions from folks that have done a considerable amount of towing with their Prius. When approached with diligence, the car does a great job, doesn't experience a significant hit in mileage (with reasonable loads under 1,000 lbs including the trailer - above that is a different story).
     
  10. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    712
    107
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I was actually going to post an update for fellow PIP owners.

    Since my last post I have used my trailer hitch and trailer quite often. I have used it to move fridges, fridges and stoves together, and the last things I moved were two zero turn mowers. I couldnt move them both at the same time because there wasnt space on the trailer. One was a TroyBuilt 50" zero turn that weighed 650 lbs and the other was a JD 42" that is around 450 lbs.

    The prius moved all of the items easily. I was a little nervous about the Troy Built but it did it and I got around 48 mpg for the 1 hour trip.
     
    mrbigh likes this.
  11. Airstream

    Airstream Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2013
    56
    16
    4
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Do you need to cut/trim?

    If so, Is there a pic of the curt installed showing the cut outs necessary to fit the plastic panel around the hitch?
     
  12. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    712
    107
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    No you do not need to cut or trim anything. Its very easy to install.


    Another update. I think I found the towing limits of the PIP.

    I picked up hardwood flooring for one of my apartments. I needed about 700 sq ft but I couldnt fit it all on the trailer so I had to make two trips. Each trip had about 1200 lbs on a trailer.

    The first trip went alright. It was an hour drive and I left it in Power mode the whole way. I forgot to check the mileage when I got home but Im pretty sure it was around 50mpg.

    On the second trip I had one more box than the first. (each box weighed 51lbs) After driving for about 10 minutes the car was acting a little goofy. It was stuttering and the power bar would go all the way to the right then all the way to the left. It did that a couple times. I could also hear a strange noise coming from the battery area. It sounded like a lot of clicking like relays turning on and off.

    Then I heard a weird noise so I pulled over. Turned out that my trailer blew its bearings on one side. I was stuck! I had to call my father in law who came with his truck. We loaded the flooring into our vehicles and put the trailer on top of the bed of his truck. Thank god he was free. I was really screwed. An hour away and sitting on the side of the highway. I wont be towing 1251lbs again anytime soon.
     
  13. JBumps

    JBumps Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2011
    167
    57
    5
    Location:
    Morgantown, WV
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I'd be worried that the issue you experienced was something else, not necessarily related to towing. I've recently had 160 small retaining blocks that weigh just over 11lbs in my trailer and our PiP did just fine. I kept it to 50 going up the more strenuous hill climbs and 55-60 on flatter terrain.
     
  14. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    I'd be interested in using one of those cargo racks that are hitch mounted with this. What would be the maximum weight, cargo carrier and cargo combined, you think this hitch could comfortably hold?
     
  15. Airstream

    Airstream Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2013
    56
    16
    4
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Works great ImageUploadedByTapatalk1378140507.547575.jpg
     
    iplug likes this.
  16. iplug

    iplug Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2012
    2,447
    1,695
    0
    Location:
    Rocklin, CA
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Thinking of doing the same here, what bike rack and hitch did you use? Assuming you went with the Curt C11276, right? About how much $, if you don't mind?
     
  17. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    Very nice!

    Do you get much bouncing from the bikes since they are set that far back?
     
  18. NEinSE

    NEinSE New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2013
    10
    12
    0
    Location:
    SE USA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Consider (reality check, not trying to burst anyone's bubble, just sayin'....)
    [​IMG]

    You're bolting onto the ends of the channels you see in the screenshot...cleverly bent/formed sheet metal.
    Toyota bolts only a rear bumper reinforcement onto those channels and spot welds a sheet metal rear cargo floor
    and rear body panel to the two of them. The structure and the skin are engineered to crush in an impact absorbing
    manner. Repairability post impact is a low priority consideration. The plan is also about weight and cost considerations, automated welding, and ease of assembly. A human hair is .003 to .004 thick and the surface panels of the vehicle (hood, fenders, door and quarter panels) are no more than 7 times the thickness of a human
    hair (.030" max.). Keep it simple. Do not do anything/add anything to this mass produced product that Toyota did
    not do/add, and you will mazimize the benefits Toyota engineered into the product you purchased from Toyota.
     
  19. Airstream

    Airstream Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2013
    56
    16
    4
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Etrailer.com Curt 11276 with Thule T2 and Reese adapter. No noticeable bounce with pinch bolt tightened. 400 miles, 2 bikes...no issues. Happy. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1378172775.198523.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1378172866.997903.jpg
     
  20. Ken Blake

    Ken Blake Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2012
    351
    180
    6
    Location:
    Portland, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced