Is anyone have this HITCH?

I don't have any opinions on the Draw Tite brand hitch. A number of users have the Hidden Hitch brand hitch.
Hidden Hitch


Check out the Rack thread for pictures of different bike hitch racks, Show Us Your Rack! | PriusChat

 

Drawtight makes a good hitch. I have a Curt. Got it from etrailer...in fact its an advertisment on the top of this page.

Btw, you can buy the trailer light harness that has a little auxillary power supply and it plugs right into the back lights. You need an aux power supply as the car light circuit was designed for low current LED's so if you hook trailer incan's to the car's wiring it may exceed the car's current capabilites and may damage light harness harness. Do not chop the light wires to interface lights for the trailer. Got my wire kit from etrailer too. Plug & play. etrailer on ebay.

 

I put the Curt hitch on as well, 4 bolts, with the car in the air and a ratchet, extension and socket it took me 8 minutes. It hides away well, no cutting needed and it looks clean.

 

I wish someone would come out with a hitch that will not rust. All these will be pure rust in 2 years in any area that gets snow.

 

AS far as rust get Rustoleum shiny black paint and paint the hell out of the empty tubes. Thats where the water sits and it rusts out. Then after installation light paint of the 4 bolt heads. But make sure you lubricate those 4 bolts before installing them.

Lastly find some wide black tape. Don't drive around with the hitch in it. Tape off that empty hole the hitch sits in when not using it. Looks really good if done right. Looks like a nice blank hitch plate. My Curt is over 2 years old and not speck of rust on it or in it.

If you drive around with the hitch in it, it will rust up pretty quick.

 

Some have it real easy and alot like me get a Curt that doesn't quite fit. The big mounting plate ears on the end sometimes don't align up with the chassis bolt holes. Mine was 1/4 of an inch off. There welding jig sucks.

Big long Curt thread about that somewhere. I had to ream it out and bend the ears. Added 2 hours to the job. I could have shipped it back & they would replace it but thats a hassle as the thing is heavy and would have put me
behind shedule with my tow job.

Its still a good hitch if you get lucky. But don't be surprised if it don't fit.

And don't forget the trailer wiring kit. The one with the extra power supply. Its plug & play with no cutting of any harness. Think its $40.

 

Here's the linky:


Curt Hitch Install Problems | PriusChat

 

Was the fit issue with Gen 2 or 3? Link is to G2 but this thread is for G3.

 

Gen II but I would imagine there crappy QC is across the board. Some people are lucky and there straight. Some are not.

 

Since they use fixtures to fabricate weldments, I would like to know if anyone with a G3 has issues.

The rounded tubes on the Curt look nicer than square on Hidden Hitch.

 

i got the curt hitch installed, it works great. i use mine for my bike rack.

 

I used the spray-on bed liner for our last two hitches and they look great w/o any rust (visible anyway).

 

My Curt went in smooth as... uh, well, it went in smoothly

However, I highly recommend a 2" receiver! 95% of all accessories are 2". 1 1/4" to 2" adapters are available, but invariably, they are not a tight fit... albeit, they do go in smoothly....

For example, when the bike rack is not in use, I wanted a push bar/nerf bar to help protect the rear bumper.... nothing available for a 1 1/4" receiver.

 

Good point about using it as protection. 2" hitch for Prius isn't as readily availble as 1 1/4". Another concern with 2" receiver is larger size thus less clearance. I plan to install TRD springs.

In regards to loose fit, they have brackets that take up the gap. Here's a very simple design, "The Wedge";

Boone Outdoor Hardware Tailgate and Storage Gear

$7.99 from Etrailor.

Does the No-Rattle Trailer Hitch Wedge Fit Both 1-1/4 and 2 inch Hitches | etrailer.com

 

found one made by Curt, Trailer Hitch Anti-Rattle Kit for 1-1/4" Trailer Hitches Curt Hitch Accessories F-315

 

Like anything on your car it will rust if you do not lubricate it. I sprayed this stuff on the car chassis mounting area where the wings meet the body, the bolt holes, and filled the inner tubes of the hitch and receiver area. Years later still looks like new. Entire car chassis is lubed also. Never a sound under there. No squeeks, no groans, no clunks. And no rust. This product is the best. NO SMELL and designed to be sprayed on things you don't want to rust. Its grease and stays where you spray it. Excellent product:

PB Blaster CSP Corrosion Stop Protectant 11oz | eBay

Do not use WD-40!!!

 

can you recommend a 2" receiver or which one did you install ? I too want to avoid the 1.25 to 2" adaptor.

 

there was a hitch early on in the G3 lifespan that was 2", but it's since disappeared.