trailer or top rack

[ozmdd]

Originally Posted by birdman

I have the Hidden-hitch and use it to attach my Thule bike rack to. I was thinking about towing a light utility trailer for picking up long items at the home center or yard debris to the recycle place, but my insurance agent pointed out that in the event of an accident involving another vehicle or pedestrian where the trailer or hitch mounted bike rack caused harm I could be sued for everything I got. That's because of Toyotas non recommendation language in the manual.
Some take the risk but the stakes are too high for me. In Canada it's fine but not in the USA. There are also permanent roof tracks from Yakima and Thule that accept each others cross bars and accessories. Ideal for a 3dr lift back.

Mounting a bike rack would not cause you to have liability, unless you were at-fault to begin with, and your liability would not increase as a result of it. Not sure what your agent is thinking, but there is clear legal precedent to protect you for making "reasonable" modifications to your vehicle. You would need to show clear negligence in order to be found liable for damages, and a bike rack or utility trailer would not meet that burden.

The Toyota manual language is there to protect them in the event of warranty issues.
If your agent was correct, then no company would manufacture a hitch or rack for the Yaris for fear of liability.

If anyone is considering a hitch rack or small utility trailer, be sure the total weight doesn't exceed the load rating for the vehicle, but a Harbor Freight 4X4 trailer with a minimal load is a common application.