2011 Toyota Prius Trailer Hitch, Wiring, and Ball Mount Recommendations for Towing a Sailboat

Updated 10/16/2024 | Published 10/07/2024

Products Featured in This Question

EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"

(111)

$378.95

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(148)

$60.37

Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"

(65)

$175.04

etrailer Ball Mount w/ Pre-Torqued 2" Ball - 2" Hitch - 2-3/4" Rise - 7,500 lbs

(291)

$40.00

Question:

I want to get a trailer hitch and related parts for my 2011 Toyota Prius IV. I want to tow a sailboat on a trailer. Boat weight 340 lbs, trailer is single axle, weight and other specs unknown. I will also want to be able to use a 2 bike tray bike rack. You have a 2” class II hitch and 3 1 1/4” class I hitches. Which is best for me? How do I choose? What other parts do I need? I would really like to talk to someone to get advice. Thanks

asked by: James H

Expert Reply:

Hey James, thanks for reaching out - I'd be more than happy to help you find the best parts for your 2011 Toyota Prius!

I currently own a 2009 Prius so definitely get where you're coming from, and there are 2 main things you'll want to consider when choosing a hitch; ground clearance, and strength. The best hitch to address both of these concerns is the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver # 306-X7178 because it has a stronger tongue weight rating than the other options, and it has a hidden crosstube so just the receiver will hang below your bumper (as opposed to the crosstube as well).

I know the higher price-point of this hitch is a little intimidating, and I would totally recommend a different option like the Draw-Tite # 24967 if you were just planning on using it for a bike rack.

In order to wrap up a whole towing system you'll also need wiring and a ball mount kit. I recommend the T-One Wiring # 118505 because it's the most reliable and then ball mount kit like the etrailer # e38NR that gives you a 2-3/4" rise and comes pre-torqued so you can unpack it and get right to towing once the hitch and wiring is installed.

expert reply by: Jon G

EcoHitch Installed on a Toyota Prius
(click to enlarge)

James H.

10/14/2024

I would like to understand why you recommend the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver # 306-X7178, a 2 inch Class II receiver, over the Draw-Tite # 24967, which is a 1 1/4 inch Class I receiver. I am not averse to paying for the EcoHitch if it is better in a way that will be important to my uses, but it is twice as expensive, with a more difficult (and probably more expensive) installation. I was somewhat inclined to go for the EcoHitch anyway, but ... I see what you said about the EcoHitch receiver having a stronger tongue weight rating (300 lbs.-). However, the Draw-Tite # 24967, has a tongue weight maximum of 200 lbs and is also hidden behind the bumper. My boat weighs 340 lbs, and while I don't know the weight of the trailer, it will be correspondingly light. I would expect the tongue weight to be much less than 200 lbs, and the entire weight very much less than the 2000 lbs limit (of both). My car is a Prius, which is not rated by Toyota to tow anything, so I don't expect to be towing anything heavy or far. The EcoHitch will be just plain stronger, and being a 2 inch Class II receiver will be much more flexible than the Draw-Tite 1 1/4 inch Class I. For bike racks, I notice that the Swagman Platform XTC2 Bike Racks 1 1/4 .inch bike racks are still Class II only, which would be a indicator for the EcoHitch receiver. However, because of the configuration of my bikes, I will be getting the Hollywood Racks Destination Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount; Part Number: HLY94FR. Application: 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" (Class I and Class II) and 2" x 2" trailer hitch receivers. So both receivers would work with that. Can you help me understand the pros and cons of the two hitch receivers for my uses? Thanks.

Jon G.

10/14/2024

@JamesH You've pretty much hit the nail on the head with your thinking; the EcoHitch is just beefier while the Draw-Tite has the smaller Class I rating and can be a little bit limiting. There are a handful of bike racks that require at least a Class II hitch rating. The Hollywood Racks Destination # HLY94FR is one of my favorite entry-level bike racks because it hits a lot of areas for casual bike riders. The thing to keep in mind is that if you ever decide to get different bikes or want to upgrade to a nicer bike rack you'll have a smaller selection due to the Class I rating. If you don't think you'll be needing to use the hitch for more than any of this, and you'll be content with the Destination, then the Draw-Tite will work out just fine for you.

James H.

10/15/2024

@JonG So, I’ve decided to go with the Draw-Tite # 24967 hitch receiver, the T-One Wiring # 118505 you recommended, and the Hollywood Racks Destination # HLY94F bike rack. What other parts do I need, and what would you recommend? I am buying the sailboat (340 lbs) and trailer, and have not yet received them. The seller measured the trailer coupling to be a foot off of the ground with the trailer level. I assume it takes a 2” ball, but can’t get confirmation of that. How high off the ground is this hitch receiver on my 2011 Prius? 13 inches? What parts do I need to add the ball and secure it to the receiver? Should I wait until my receiver is installed on my car? Should I also wait until I see the trailer in person? Any advice would be appreciated. Jim

Jon G.

10/15/2024

@JamesH Great questions, and great product selections! Here are all of the parts I recommend: - Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver # 24967 - T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness # 118505 - Mounting Brackets # 18144 and # 18136 - Gasket Sealer # LT37467 - Curt Towing Starter Kit # C45147 - Hollywood Racks Destination # HLY94FR The mounting brackets let you store the 4-Way next to the hitch receiver so it's easily accessible, and the gasket sealer is so you can pass the 4-Way through a grommet in your trunk floor and still seal that back up. When we installed the Draw-Tite hitch on a 2011 Prius the hitch receiver measured 12" from the ground to the top inside of the receiver so if your trailer coupler is right at 12" then a ball mount within 1" of level is what you need - the Curt ball mount I recommended has a 3/4" rise which is perfect for your setup.