# Bike rack for Prius?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/bike-rack-for-prius/1701>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** prius\
**Created:** [July 14, 2007, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bike-rack-for-prius/1701 "2007-07-14T15:31:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![worrywart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ac91a4/32.png) [@worrywart](https://community.cartalk.com/u/worrywart)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2007, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bike-rack-for-prius/1701/1 "2007-07-14T15:31:59Z")

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I just brought home my new 2007 Prius. I like the car and feel pretty comfortable with my decision to give up minivans (my dream vehicles)in favor of the Prius, although it has been adjustment. Here’s the problem: we’d like to occasionally haul bicyles with this car. What is our best alternative? The dealership says a hitch rack “as long as the bikes aren’t too heavy,” and says that sometimes over time a trunk rack will damage the seals on the hatch and cause leaking. The bike shop recommends a Saris trunk rack, and says that they’ve never heard of seals getting damaged. I have a Thule hitch rack that I used on my old minivan. What’s the best alternative? Should I just give up the idea of hauling bikes?

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**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2007, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bike-rack-for-prius/1701/2 "2007-07-14T21:36:41Z")

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I tried using a trunk rack years ago, it was a big hassle having to fiddle with all the straps each time I used it. The weight of two bikes actually put a indentation on the trunk lid of my wife’s 86 Colt. I bought a hitch rack last year and I’m much happier with it. I don’t have to worry about dents or scratches to the paint. It attaches to the hitch with one bolt and I take add/remove it in a few minutes. I usually leave it on the truck since it folds out of the way if I need access to the hatch. Since you already have a hitch rack, you just need a hitch installed. I would check around for alternatives to the dealer installation since it’s probably going to be expensive.

Ed B.

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**Author:** ![worrywart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ac91a4/32.png) [@worrywart](https://community.cartalk.com/u/worrywart)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 5:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bike-rack-for-prius/1701/3 "2007-07-15T17:57:36Z")

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Thanks, Ed. I’m leaning toward the hitch rack; they sure are convenient! One would like to think that the guys at the Toyota dealersip would know what’s best, but I’m trying to get as much input as I can.

I’m still hoping to hear from someone who uses a hitch rack on a little car like my new Prius. This car needs to last me a long time and I sure don’t want to put undue stresses on anything. (And it’s sounding like a trunk rack – even one more modern design – could do that.)

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2007, 2:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bike-rack-for-prius/1701/4 "2007-07-16T02:35:50Z")

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the folks at [www.priuschat.com](http://www.priuschat.com) can probably give you excellent advice on this.