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My Prius v: A Delivery / Service Vehicle

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by Jess_austin, Feb 16, 2015.

  1. Jess_austin

    Jess_austin New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2015
    2
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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Hello all -

    Last weekend I got a 2014 Prius wagon for work in the kitchen appliance business. Eager to share my experience and get anyone else's ideas.

    In my first weekend with it I've hauled dishwashers, a full-size custom Magliner dolly and several bags of tools.

    I am a tech-oriented gadget guy and anything that helps me be productive on the road is nice.
    In addition to appliances I often need to carry lunch, my 3 year old daughter / car seat, paperwork, tools and spare parts.

    My primary work truck is a Chevy 3500 turbodiesel with an 18 foot gooseneck trailer, ~13 feet high, 16 mpg without trailer. This is an unbelievable mobile wood shop on wheels that is the inspiration for my trailer:


    I drive the Prius for service calls or when I have smaller pieces to install (dishwashers, ovens, laundry sets, vent hoods).
    I hope to add a hitch for my old mini-trailer someday, but first want to make sure I don't cause too much strain.
    Before the Prius I had considered a diesel VW, Ford van or possibly minivan /w removed captains chairs for delivery. Not much was close to the Prius for MPG, reliability and comfort for the money.

    Here are some accessories I've used in my truck that I'll reuse:
    -iOttie Easy One Touch 2 Car Mount Holder. Puts the phone at a nice angle (not yet tested in Prius)
    -Uncle Mike's console storage (for delivery tickets, paperwork, etc)
    -Seatback pocket organizer
    -Visor storage (pens, fuel cards, etc)
    -Cable to charge phone
    -iPad headrest attachment + bluetooth sync for sound (kid entertainment)
    -Oversized rearview mirror
    -Business magnet signs

    Some accessories I'll be getting:
    -Floor and cargo protectors (Husky)
    -Back bumper protection
    -Cargo net
    -Upgraded seats and remote start
    -Possibly mudflaps

    Things I'm interested in:
    -Wish I could get adaptive cruise control without buying tech package
    -Removing anything for another couple of inches of vertical space in hatch would be amazing
    -Safety related items
    -Things that make seats comfortable
    -Things that organize all the loose cargo
    -The accessory that puts backup camera on during lane changes
    -Anything that helps preventative maintenance

    Thanks for reading, looking forward to any accessories other owners love ... especially those who drive a lot for work or hauling cargo.
     
    #1 Jess_austin, Feb 16, 2015
    Bill the Engineer and ftl like this.
  2. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2013
    1,740
    444
    4
    Location:
    New Mexico, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    N/A
    Forget about the OE type cargo net, its pretty useless and a real pain to take out. Some folks have devised a quick-disconnect mounting hook for it, but as designed its pretty much a permanent install.
     
    #2 rdgrimes, Feb 16, 2015
  3. schmuly

    schmuly Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2012
    209
    51
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    Location:
    BC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    We use a lite weight flat deck trailer a lot with our Prius. The trailer weighs 380lbs and can carry 1000lbs, we NEVER load it close to that weight (maybe 3-400lbs). It pulls and brakes great, gas mileage down roughly 3mpg. It takes the place of having a truck, can't do everything but does 99% of it.
    You should have a problem if you keep it light.
     
    #3 schmuly, Feb 16, 2015
  4. TMosh

    TMosh Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2013
    30
    4
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    Location:
    Spokane, WA and Mesa, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    The recent threat about Firestone airbags for the rear coil springs should be something for you to look into. I have ordered and intend to install these airbags this week. When we travel from summer home to winter home, we often travel for 2-3 weeks with 300-400 extra pounds in the rear of our 'v.' Everything is fine, except the rear sags enough to make the headlights a night-time driving hazard. Price is about $100 before installation. The thread is very helpful and clarifies installation issues.
     
    #4 TMosh, Feb 16, 2015
  5. Jess_austin

    Jess_austin New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2015
    2
    2
    0
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Wow, great info on trailers, thank you.

    My trailer is one of the Harbor Freight fold-and-store models. I used to pull it with a 4 cylinder Accord without a problem. Normally I haul a regular size fridge or laundry set with it. It's 4x8 (one 3/4" sheet of plywood for a deck) and has a tongue box and ramp. I added industrial tie downs and upgraded all the hardware. I call it "The Dolly Honda" but retired it when I got the big trailer. Might have to bring it back and change it's name to something more appropriate.
     
    #5 Jess_austin, Feb 16, 2015
  6. schmuly

    schmuly Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2012
    209
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    Location:
    BC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    The H. F. one will be perfect, just keep the tongue weight below 150 lbs if receiver is 1.25in. Not sure if you have a 2in, mine is 1.25in.
    Have fun.....
     
    #6 schmuly, Feb 16, 2015
  7. Eric "v"

    Eric "v" Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
    229
    44
    0
    Location:
    'Vegas, NV, Baby
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Actually "rd" is wrong (IMHO) about the Toyota cargo net. I use it all the time and it works just fine. Well made and easy to use or stow.
     
    #7 Eric "v", Feb 19, 2015
  8. TMosh

    TMosh Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2013
    30
    4
    0
    Location:
    Spokane, WA and Mesa, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
     
    #8 TMosh, Feb 21, 2015
  9. TMosh

    TMosh Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2013
    30
    4
    0
    Location:
    Spokane, WA and Mesa, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    I just installed the Firestone Coil-Rite kit (part 4136) in my 2013 v. It took about 2 hours total. I followed the lead of a recent post/thread on this Prius Chat that merged the airlines from the 2 airbags (inserted into the coil springs with the air connection at the top) into a quick-connect "T" ($8.00) and ran the single through an existing electric cable gasket on the passenger side into the trunk area. I routed single airline with shrader valve in an 8 inch long 'pig tail' sticking out of passenger-side cowling behind tail light. Cost of airbags was about $100 including SH. Tech help at Firestone was great and helped me find source for "T." Works great; easily raising rear of car 1.5"+. I need this to level car (head light alignment) when hauling several 100 pds. of stuff back and forth from WA to AZ and back for wintering in AZ.
     
    #9 TMosh, Feb 21, 2015
  10. Brian Wood

    Brian Wood New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2015
    2
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Where can I source this "T" fitting?
     
    #10 Brian Wood, Mar 3, 2015
  11. TMosh

    TMosh Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2013
    30
    4
    0
    Location:
    Spokane, WA and Mesa, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    I called the Firestone tech people. They could mail me one at a cost. But, they gave me 3 locations in my Mesa, AZ area. One would have had to order and one had it in stock at $8. The place I got it was big truck/motorhome alignment shop called Spectrac (or similar). Napa may even have them. I got one that was a 'push/lock' kind that you just shove the airline into the T and it locks (like a 'shark bite" waterline fitting).
     
    #11 TMosh, Mar 4, 2015
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