Prius for the family

[PA Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zenMachine @ Oct 2 2007, 01:59 PM) [snapback]520409[/snapback]</div>

For heavy-duty camping trips, we take the SUV to tow our bikes, canoe, tent, and all that good stuff.
[/b]

We are very happy with ours-- family of four-- mom, dad, 13y, and 15y. We did a four week, 7,500 mile, cross country camping trip this summer out of it that was wonderful, especially at 50 mpg!

PA P

[NoMoShocks]

I have not read all above, but wanted to add my experience. We have a Dodge minivan and Toyota Prius with family of four and kids are nearly adults, 13 and 18 yrs old. On our last trip from Washington to CA, we elected to take the Prius for economy on the 1400 mile round trip. We were all very comfortable, and no one missed being in the minivan, though I will say you must think of packing lightly.

I never realized before buying the Prius and then joining Priuschat that it is clasified as a mid sized car due to the interior room. Leg room is ample, better than many other mid sized cars.

If we had a lot of camping equipment or anything like that, we probably would have been more comfortable in the minivan, so the solution is don't camp.

I have been seriously thinking about selling the minivan, if I could find anyone who would want it.

[chogan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sub3marathonman @ Oct 2 2007, 09:00 AM) [snapback]520225[/snapback]</div>

There is only one legal way to turn off the front passenger airbag. If your back seat is filled with children who must ride in a booster seat/infant seat, and you have another child who must ride in a booster seat/infant seat, you can petition the DOT for a waiver. You will then have to take a course to educate you about this situation, and then you can get a licensed mechanic to put a switch for the front passenger airbag.

[/b]

I didn't mean anything that drastic. Well, yeah, for my 2005, what you say is technically true, but my point was that the 2008 Prius has some type of front passenger seat occupant sensor that wasn't on my 2005. I just can't tell from the websites if it's the type that turns the airbag off to make the seat safe for children or just modulates the force of the airbag to match it to the (adult) passenger weight.

[hyo silver]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ 2007 10 02 11:37) [snapback]520418[/snapback]</div>

...If we had a lot of camping equipment or anything like that, we probably would have been more comfortable in the minivan, so the solution is don't camp...
[/b]

My experience has been that the Prius works very well for camping. Here's a picture that shows the whole kit and kaboodle - backpacks, duffel bags, sleeping bags, air mattresses, tents, electric cooler, stove, barbecue...
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