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Prius Camper that removes rear hatch

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by fastring, Feb 28, 2010.

  1. fastring

    fastring Junior Member

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    Saab Central - Features: Saab 900 The Toppola Camper

    Saab History Toppola

    Has anyone tried building a Prius camper that replaces the rear hatch? The 'ideal' solution that I'm looking for is what Toppola built for the Saab (see above or google "saab camper").:usa2:

    I'm not looking for comments about buying a truck with a camper...
     
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  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Well...I think it would really be pushing the max capacity, weight wise, for the car to put something like that on it. I get cold chills thinking what it will do to your Cd and fuel economy!
    There are some pop-up tents that attach to the hatch door that would work just about as well without the weight or aerodynamic hit. Let me see if I can find a link.
     
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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  4. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    How about comments on packing a tent in your Prius? :)
    Then you can take it with you, and see things you can't get to in a car.
     
  5. fastring

    fastring Junior Member

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    Yah, looking for something fixed so that I can pull over and sleep on the side of the road, like in an urban environment. At somepoint, I'll see how hard it is to remove the rear hatch and will go from there. Will probably have to try making something.
     
  6. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    In that case, would folding down the rear seats and rolling out an air mattress work for you? Window tint would afford some privacy.
     
  7. cheeper

    cheeper Member

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    When the rear hatch is open, little red light on dash reminds you a door is open.......what about that?
     
  8. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    there is a switch that tells the prius it's open so just make sure you able to diconnected or hardwire that switch
     
  9. Leesakay61

    Leesakay61 New Member

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    My husband wants to modify a prius and put a truck bed on the back somehow.
    Maybe we'll come across a salvage Prius that we can experiment on..:rolleyes:
     
  10. fmi

    fmi Junior Member

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    I'm sure you can splice into that, install a switch that will let you toggle it on/off.
     
  11. PriusLewis

    PriusLewis Management Scientist

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    This camper is COOL! As for the issue of weight, I would assume they use stiffer springs in the SAAB version, which would be the thing to do with a Prius. Below is a link to something similar:

    EarthRoamer XV-JP

    I REALLY want one of these, but don't really know what I'd do with it...