Yea I think even DIY it's closer to $100.

 

Dare I say it, but I revisited this thread in consideration of a DIY hitch for a Prius. It has an aero cover plate in the rear and if the hitch is left mounted it will hang out in the open-no room for tucking it inside the bumper (skin). A design like this allows the hitch to be used only when needed. I think the market for this design is expanding when you consider how many ppl out there don't even use a hitch for a small trailer, but for less, like bike carriers and cargo trays.

 

I have a bike carrier made that fits in the two small receivers like the hitch bar does. It holds two bikes with fork mounts such that the bikes are not swinging around by the top tube banging into each other. also you can get in the trunk without taking the bikes off and nothing is resting against or even touching painted body surfaces on the car.

Bob

 

This is such a brilliant design, can we get this stickied?