Hello all, I recently bought a hitch (Curt Manufacturing 11469 Class I Receiver Hitch) for my Prius. The supplied instructions and a YouTube video shows that the installation should be extremely easy, but I discovered that removing the bolts that are under the muffler is a challenge. So my questions are as follows: 1. Does anyone know a place in the Los Angeles area (preferably near the Westside/South Bay area) that can do the installation for me? I have tried going to a few muffler places and they wouldn't do it. U-Haul said they would, but they said they would have to remove the entire rear bumper, which I am confident that they are lying just to make more money with unnecessary labor. 2. Does anyone have more detailed steps to taking the bolts off around the muffler? The YouTube video above (From :10 to :25) makes it look simple, but the muffler appears to be in the way of the bolts and I do not want to do anything that could damage the muffler or body.
I didn't even know that they would let you put a hitch on a Prius in SOCAL..... Sorry.....no info. However (comma) I can give you a warm greeting and Welcome Aboard! :welcome: As soon as one of our forum beat cops gets back from his/her Krispy-Kreme break, they'll probably yell at you for not using the ^%$@! search feature. (without giving you any kind of answer to your original question... ) I'll save you some time. The search feature is challenging for me. I've tried Boolean terms, throwing things at my computer, and cursing. Nothing works for me. I did enter "hitch" into the so-called 'advanced search' fields under G3 forums...or something like that. I got this: PriusChat Forums - Search Results (108 threads...that's the problem....you either get zero hits, or 100's) Lemme know if it helps or hurts. Good Luck with Prius Ownership!!!
get a lot of extensions, use a 1/2" ratchet and a metal bar for leverage if you dont have power tools, the bolt is on pretty tight. you should be able to get all those parts for less than 25 bux at harbor freight
ah - that "thing" costs in Germany (can carry 2 bikes), from Toyota, 785€, excluding installation costs...(unless you ask for it when ordering your Prius)....
Hey everyone! I just thought I would come back with an update. I decided to take cossie1600's advise, get the extensions, and that is all I needed! I don't know what the exact term was, but getting the universal joints (extension tools so I can loosen/tighten at almost any angle) was the major difference. The extension bars also mattered too. Here are a few tips I found for anyone that is thinking about doing this: 1. Get the joints/extensions. 2. Know how to use a torque wrench. 3. Raise the rear of the car using some ramps or large bricks about 6 inches. 4. Have a powerful magnet on standby. This will make it a lot easier to get any bolts/washers that fall into the plastic.
I bought like 4 extensions for $9 from Harbor Freight a week prior to fill up my garage, they came in very handy.
My add - there are now Class III 2" hitches - same thing - just rated higher - a class III hitch can pull 5,000 lbs - slmost as important - they support 2" receivers (many things that can be plugged in), and are more strong horizontally... There are adapters - but I'd go with the more heavy duty - besides - you can pull lots of stuff...
