Recreational & Family - Bike rack for the Prius

Any specific recommendations for a bike rack for the Prius (year 2009, P2)?

On the one hand, a trunk rack is economical, but is it secure, or will the bikes fall off to the road while driving? Will it scratch the car's paint badly? Any experience with the Saris Guardian 3 per se? Or the Saris Bones 3? I would like to hold 2 adults bikes & 1 kid bike.

The hitch option is more costly, plus do i want to drill holes in new car? What specific rack model will not sway badly on the Prius? What rack have people had and not liked? Will any hold 3 bikes?

Thanks in advance.

I've got a Saris Bones 3 rack for my Maxima. I was nervous at first, asking the same questions as you, but after having used it for a couple of years, I find it to be great. Carries 3 bikes with no problem. Just remember to retension the straps after you load the bikes to keep everything secure. And don't forget to load the trunk first!!!

I get some minor scuffing on the trunk lid from the bumpers of the rack, but then again, I haven't tried to prevent it with pads of any sort.

One thing I will say is that it's sometimes like fitting a puzzle together to get three bikes oriented properly. If you have bikes with horizontal top tubes and road bars, I don't think it would be as difficult, but the bikes I carry are hybrids with sloping top tubes and straight bars, and it is sometimes difficult to keep the handlebars from getting stuck in the rear spokes of the adjacent bikes. It's not so problematic now, as I have a system ... first, my hybrid (turn the bars that-a-way), then my wifes (turn the bars this-a-way), and finally, my daughters.

Good luck!

I use a 2" receiver hitch that just bolted on to existing attachments. I bought it through a company that advertises on Priuschat.com. I have a yakima rack fork mount that works with the 2" hitch and the bike is behind the car and mostly out of the wind. Works great.

Which is worth more?

+++1 on the Bones rack. I have one that has been in use for about 4 years. Had the car and bikes across country 3 times and use it around town. No problems. Sarris has one of best support and warranties around.