| Toyota Prius installation of rear hitch and rear bike | | | | rivet hardware for the reinstall later. |
| rack. | | | | Step Three |
| Have you been thinking about getting a Toyota Prius | | | | Lift the hitch into position under the Prius and secure |
| but have wondered how will I be able to carry my | | | | with bolts and washers provided with the hitch. |
| bike around? There is an answer! Why not have the | | | | Tighten the bolts. This may require some help from |
| best of both worlds; great gas mileage and the ease | | | | someone. Holding the hitch in place and securing the |
| of carrying two bikes around. | | | | bolts may be difficult to do alone but possible. A |
| A rear hitch-mounted bike rack is one of the best | | | | second set of hands is helpful for this step. |
| option for Toyota Prius owners or shoppers looking | | | | Step Four |
| into buying a Prius who are cyclists. Although the | | | | Place the fascia up under the car so you can see |
| Toyota dealerships will install the trailer hitch it for | | | | where you will need to cut a slot in the facia so you |
| you, installation is easy and something you can do on | | | | can reinstall the fascia. Using heavy scissors or tin |
| your own. You can install the hitch in about 30 | | | | snips cut a slot in the fascia on the driver's side. |
| minutes or less. | | | | Extend the slot all the easy to the back edge of the |
| Things You Will Need That Are Necessary: | | | | facia and remove the small segment of fascia. Now |
| - Trailer hitch Curt Model 11468 | | | | the fascia will fit around the driver's side of the newly |
| - Socket wrench with a 14m and 17m socket | | | | installed hitch. There is no facia on the passenger side |
| - Hand socket wrench with a 10m socket | | | | to worry about |
| - Flat head screw driver for releasing the plastic | | | | Step Five |
| rivets holding the underbody fascia in place | | | | Reinstall the under body fascia with the existing |
| - Heavy scissors or tin snips to trim the plastic | | | | hardware you set aside in Step 2. You are now |
| under-body fascia | | | | ready to install your hitch-style bike rack. |
| - Extra set of hands to help you lift the trailer hitch | | | | Recommended Bike Rack |
| into place | | | | - Hollywood Racks - Pro-Rider Hitch Rack 1 ¼ - |
| Things That Are NOT Necessary But Helpful: | | | | this is a cool rack and the one I recommend. |
| - Mechanic's Creeper | | | | Although you will have to take your front tire off |
| - Drive-on Ramps | | | | when placing your bike on the rack the profile of |
| Step One | | | | your bike stays behind the car making your car more |
| First, back the Toyota Prius on drive-on ramps if | | | | arrow dynamic and prevents bugs from hitting your |
| possible to make getting under the car easier (this | | | | bike. |
| step is not necessary for the install of the hitch). | | | | - Yakima Rack - Hookup 1 ¼ - This hitch |
| Then remove the two tow hooks under the rear of | | | | mount is tough and versatile. Kind of like Coach. It |
| your Prius using a socket wrench, unbolt and remove | | | | carries any bike, from monster freeride bikes with |
| the tow hooks from the under-body frame rails at | | | | funky frame designs to little pink bikes with training |
| the rear of the Prius on both the driver's and | | | | wheels. Plus, it's extremely easy to use. All you do is |
| passenger's sides. | | | | flip a lever and it grabs onto the wheel. Bikes on and |
| Step Two | | | | bikes off in 10 seconds or less. |
| Remove plastic under body fascia saving the plastic | | | | |