Will Kuat NV Platform Hitch Bike Rack # N102 Fit a 2011 Toyota Prius

Question:

I have a 2011 Prius and Im looking for a platform hitch mounted bike rack. Kuat NV seems to be the Cadillac of these bike racks, but the one local place Ive been so far to ask about installing a hitch told me that they can install a Curt hitch with a tongue weight of 150 lbs, which will evidently fit any hitch mounted bike rack or a DrawTight hitch with a tongue weight of 200 lbs, which is what theyre pushing that will only work with Class 1 type bike racks if I even have this right - or is it that the hitch itself is the Class 1 and the rack needs to be compatible with it?. I noticed that the Kuat NV is available in models that fit both 1-1/4 hitches and 2 hitches and Im not sure how the hitch size correlates to the class type, but the model that fits the Class 1 type the 1-1/4 hitch size only got one review and not a good one, while the model that fits only Class 3 got a 5 star rating. So Im very confused.

asked by: Laura S

Expert Reply:

It can be easy to get confused with hitch sizes and the Class ratings on hitches. I will try to clear things up for you.

On your 2011 Toyota Prius the only hitches that will be available will be the Class I 1-1/4 inch hitch. A Class I hitch will have a 200-lb maximum tongue weight capacity. Which means the most weight that can be attached to your hitch would need to be less than 200 pounds. A Class I hitch will have a stopper inside the receiver hitch that will keep any Class II or higher accessories from working in a Class I hitch. This will keep you from overloading a Class I hitch. I am including links to a couple of FAQ pages that will describe hitch sizes and hitch classes.

I would recommend the Draw-Tite Class I 1-1/4 Inch Hitch, part # 24847. It has a 200-lb tongue weight capacity. The Hidden Hitch Class I 1-1/4 Inch Hitch, part # 60263, is the same hitch, but is more money because it includes a ball mount, which is needed for towing purposes. If you are just going to be using the hitch for a bike rack or cargo carrier you will not need a ball mount, so the Draw-Tite hitch # 24847 would be the best buy for you.

The Class I CURT Hitch, part # 11469, will require the use of a stabilizing strap when used with a hitch bike rack, so it would not be the first choice. The Draw-Tite and Hidden Hitch brand hitches do not require the use of a stabilizing strap.

So when looking for a hitch bike rack for your Class I 1-1/4 inch hitch you will need to make sure it says will fit a Class I hitch.

The Kuat NV Platform Hitch Bike Rack, part # N102, you have referenced is a Cadillac of bike racks and will fit your Class I 1-1/4 inch hitch. It has a maximum weight capacity of 2 bikes at 55 lbs each and the weight of the rack itself is 42 lbs. So if you installed the maximum of 2 bikes at 55 lbs each and include the weight of the rack you would be at 152 lbs, which would still be under the maximum tongue weight capacity (200 lbs) of your Class I hitch.

We have not had any problems with either size of the Kuat NV platform bike racks.

I am including a video link to a review on the Kuat NV bike rack.

expert reply by: Jeff D