Recommendation of Bike Rack for 2009 Toyota Prius

Updated 09/17/2012 | Published 09/12/2012

Products Featured in This Question

Thule Apex XT Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting

(218)

$449.95

Swagman XTC2 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount

(1632)

$196.42

Thule OutWay Trunk Bike Rack for 3 Bikes - Adjustable Arms

(15)

$499.95

Thule Bike Adapter Bar for Women's and Alternative Frame Bikes

(350)

$50.48

Question:

This site is incredibly helpful but because there is so much information I am now getting confused. I saw one post about a Thule back mount rack for a 3-bike rack on the prius. I was planning on installing a 1 1/4 inch hitch this weekend. Is this the best approach? And exactly what bike rack should I use, and the maximum # of bikes.

asked by: Marguerite

Expert Reply:

The first thing you are going to want to look at is the owners manual for your 2009 Toyota Prius. It has been our understanding that Toyota prohibits the installation of a trailer hitch for towing, or the use of hitch mounted accessories. But, hitches are still made for them because there is a market for them.

There are only Class I 1-1/4inch trailer hitches available for the Prius and you would be limited to just 2 bikes on a Class I hitch. A third bike may not weigh much, but since that additional weight will be at such a far distance from the hitch pin hole that weight will apply a lot of leveraged torque on the Class I hitch that can not handle the force and could potentially damage the hitch or frame of your vehicle.

The Thule Apex 2 Bike Rack, part # TH9024XT, you have referenced, will fit your Prius with the Class I 1-1/4 inch hitch. This is a hanging style hitch bike rack. I am including a link to a video review on this bike rack.

Another hitch bike rack I would recommend is the Swagman XTC-2 Bike Rack, part # S64670. This bike rack is a platform rack which makes loading the bikes onto the rack easier than having to lift the bikes up to a frame cradle on a hanging bike rack. I am including a link to a video review on this bike rack being installed on a Prius.

To carry 3 bikes, I would recommend a trunk mount bike rack like the Thule OutWay, part # TH56BV. This bike rack will fit the 2009 Toyota Prius but will require that the rear wiper not be used when installed and that the straps are not in contact with the muffler or exhaust pipe when installed.

If you choose the # TH9024XT hanging bike rack or the # TH9002PRO trunk bike rack, and you will be hauling women's or children's bikes that do not have the horizontal bar at the top of the frame, you will want to use the Thule Bike Adapter Bar, part # TH982XT. It attaches to the center seat post and to the handlebar post and provides a horizontal bar, so the bike can ride level on the bike rack.