09.20.2008
Hello Darell,

I have to render a thank you for the info regarding the Prius hitch. I have an ’05 edition of the car bought in 5/05. I stumbled on your site after using Google to try to locate a hitch supplier. Your detailed instructions were most helpful. The first hitch I received had a bent flange that meant I couldn’t align it with the holes on one of the frame rails. The actual hitch was purchased from Hitch.com. I emailed them a picture of the alignment problem and requested they replace the first hitch. The second unit fit like a glove (less than 20 mins.) with no difficulties. It was also clear that the modifications you had recommended made the difference in applicability (the exhaust problem). My other dilemma was wiring the hitch. I had looked over the wiring harness in the rear of the car and shook my head at the “rats nest” of wires. Wholly different from any experience I had wiring a domestic product – usually a very simple and straightforward job.

When I was reading your article again I noticed a hyperlink to “wiring”. I was in luck again. I did not know what a “T” connector was, but the description was intriguing. I found a source online and ordered the said part. On receipt it looked like the “rats nest” of wires would not have to be separated out and connected in a fashion I was accustomed to. Of course there was the modification to the pinning: that was an easy task once I had inspected the molded plugs. I just followed your instructions to the letter. Once completed, I reconnected the plugs and said a quiet prayer.  And yes it worked perfectly!! That whole exercise took about 30 minutes. However, without your detailed input, I might well have still been struggling to complete the job.

I too have a Sportsrig micro trailer for transporting my kayak and bikes. I took the package – car and trailer – on the maiden trip to the Huron river (I live close to Ann Arbor in Michigan) last Thursday morning. It was a smooth trip with no difficulties in the towing operation. My usual vehicle for the job is my ’96 Bonneville. I expect to get a reduction in mileage as one would expect due to the additional load. That data will be generated over the next several weeks.

All told it was a good experience, made easier by the Internet. One tends to use this resource by second nature. It seems this “encyclopedia” always provides the information whether it involves academic research or the more mundane but equally important everyday information.

Again, thank you for sharing your experiences. In my case they were most helpful and useful.

Regards,
Norman Williams.

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