Trouble Installing Bent Trailer Hitch on Toyota Prius

Published 09/30/2022

Question:

prying with a 2x4????? How about you make a hitch that fits!!!!!!!

asked by: Sam J

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you are having some trouble mounting the EcoHitch # 306-X7196 on your 2007 Toyota Prius. I completely understand your frustration but I can assure you that this particular model hitch does fit your vehicle, it's just that the brackets most likely flexed a bit during shipping.

I realize this sounds a bit odd, and obviously using some tools to bend back a brand new item you just received isn't the most welcomed item to have to add to your to-do list, but the flex the hitch experienced is actually by design. A trailer hitch's mild steel construction is what allows it to flex with the vehicle as you drive down the road and it's under load. This same benefit though is what can cause things like this to happen to your hitch during shipping, thus causing the brackets to not line up perfectly with the vehicle's frame.

I have attached an article below that goes into this with some more detail along with a few other ideas to straighten the hitch back up. Again, I'm sorry that this happened and I absolutely get the frustration, but hopefully this will help to get the hitch mounted so you can use it like intended.

Please just let us know if you still have trouble with this and we'll be happy to help out further.

expert reply by: Chris R