1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Can the 4th Gen still be used as a camper or sleeper? Flat or Non Flat Cargo floor ?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by zor, Sep 12, 2015.

  1. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,388
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I raised the cargo floor 2 1/2 inches with some Styrofoam (with hidden storage areas)[/QUOTE]
    It is a Four.
     
    zor likes this.
  2. zor

    zor Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2012
    81
    33
    0
    Location:
    Canada British Columbia Vancouver
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It is a Four.[/QUOTE]
    Awesome, how are you enjoying it? :)
     
    krmcg likes this.
  3. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,388
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Love it. One week today. 63 miles a gallon
     
    zor likes this.
  4. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,309
    3,586
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Oh I like yours the white goes around the whole front.
     
    zor and krmcg like this.
  5. zor

    zor Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2012
    81
    33
    0
    Location:
    Canada British Columbia Vancouver
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    i took a pic of the Canadian Technology package and how it is flush with the cargo floor when the seats are folded down, but wont let me upload the pic :(

    Edit, here are the pics:

    IMG_1248.jpg IMG_1249.jpg
     
    Redpoint5 and wjtracy like this.
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,016
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    All except the Technology w/ Advanced package will have a flush floor.
     
    zor likes this.
  7. zor

    zor Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2012
    81
    33
    0
    Location:
    Canada British Columbia Vancouver
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
  8. zor

    zor Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2012
    81
    33
    0
    Location:
    Canada British Columbia Vancouver
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Ive built a platform for the back of the 2016 prius a 23x23 foldable plywood base. I first bought regular plywood and built it nicely with the help of the home depot worker (Harj) from the cambie location, amazing person and he helped me every step of the way.
    But when i put it in my car and drove off i realized it stunk!!! which made me realize that it is off gassing....after some research i found out that about 90% of plywood off gasses some serious VOC's which is Formaldehyde. I called home depot and asked if they had VOC free ply wood and sure enough they do but not at the Cambie location i was at, as that store is a small one that doesnt contain big Building materials which the bigger home depots do, they have just about everything just not the Big big sized sheets etc...

    So i ended up having to buy a massive sheet of plywood from another home depot that was VOC free made with glue derived from soy and formaldehyde free. Built it again and here it is: Note that i have 3 more 23x23 sheets and if any one is interested in it feel free to contact me. It fold 3 sheet on top of each other from fully extended, it works so good in the prius and stores very nicely when folded up.

    By the way im 6'1 with the Cot it was a little to high for me so i switched back to the air mattress for more clearance.
     

    Attached Files:

    1x1, Tideland Prius, wjtracy and 2 others like this.
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    well done! great pix, thank you.(y)
     
    zor likes this.
  10. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,066
    15,372
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Could you take a picture of the front seat in the camper configuration?

    How do you get in the cot, rear hatch open or inside?

    Do you anticipate dealing with:
    • sub-freezing temperatures or lowest expected
    • high temperatures in insect areas
    • rain/wet conditions
    In my case, I'm looking at how our 2010 Prius might be more 'comfortable' for my wife. My current thought:
    • Remove fold-down seat behind passenger seat making it a 3-seater.
    • Use foot well area for storage.
    • Custom padding to allow a full-length stretch-out for passenger.
    • Investigate alternate passenger seat:
      • rotate to door so she can just sit and slide back and rotate into position
    • Wheelchair hanger using receiver and bumper struts
    Bob Wilson
     
  11. Much More Better

    Much More Better Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2009
    655
    162
    0
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I slept in a rental (Nissan Altima) for two nights during a trip and it's not all fun and games. The fact that I couldn't fold rear seats completely flat wasn't even an issue (I actually slept well.) It was rainy season in the Pacific NW and everything fogs up. In the morning, I would soak up 5 paper towels just wiping the condensation off the windows. So clothes that got wet, stayed wet. Each time I drove for any length of time, I would blast the A/C on warm and dangled wet article from the vents.

    You would have to pack light and be super organized to make car camping realistic. I had a full size suit case in the trunk and it was a pain trying to fish out clean underwear and socks.

    And then there's a lack of privacy. I'm gettin' a tent next time. :)
     
    1x1 likes this.
  12. zor

    zor Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2012
    81
    33
    0
    Location:
    Canada British Columbia Vancouver
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hi Bob,

    I will respond to your message with in a week more or less, im going on a trip so when i get back id like to take some time to respond and give you the pics you like.

    Cheers,
     
    bwilson4web likes this.
  13. zor

    zor Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2012
    81
    33
    0
    Location:
    Canada British Columbia Vancouver
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Much More Better,

    This is where you are in luck, compared to the Altima, The prius has automated climate control which runs off the battery, keeps the temperature in the car the temp you like, i have spoken to avid prius campers and if you have this on all night, all you will get is a light fog on the windows, due to circulation of the air. The battery runs out for about 2-5 minutes an hour of which the engine turns on by its self and recharges the battery every hour or half hour for 2 minutes depending on what juice you started out with at the beginning from what i understand and it does all this while you sleep.

    as far as privacy goes, you may look up prius campers and see all the creative ways people make privacy a none issue by making curtains or cutting up material to cover windows and using Velcro or cutting up reflectix to fit the window.

    Sure sleeping in a tent is nice, but in a prius you dont have to worry about inclement weather, or wild life (bears,cougars,wolves,wild cats etc) depending on where you live. For more info you can find many blogs and people who have a lot of experience prius camping, its a much different experience then your average car.

    All the best,
     
    1x1 likes this.
  14. zor

    zor Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2012
    81
    33
    0
    Location:
    Canada British Columbia Vancouver
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    PS. Ive heard of people getting the issue with wet windows that dont use automated climate control, but if you are sleeping in warm weather a lot of people they get bug mesh and thye use magnets to hold it in place over the window in the outside and have the windows rolled down its like being in a tent... some dont even have the windows rolled up in some areas there is no need for automated climate control.

    Also if you slept well in the Altima, imagine how well you will sleep in the prius :sleep:(y)
     
  15. Much More Better

    Much More Better Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2009
    655
    162
    0
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    If I ever take my Prius on a road trip, I'll try it out!
     
    zor likes this.
  16. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2013
    1,313
    888
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    It IS possible to stetch out in the back of a Gen 3:
    I am 6'2" with size 13 feet, and easily fit in back of our Gen 3 hatchback when the front seats are both rolled to the furthest forward position. You must insert a piece of plywood about 48" X 17" between the rear edge of the front seats and the forward edge of the folded-down back seats, and that plywood must be supported well enough to sleep on. (Different people use different support methods.)
    For cushioning, We used 2" foam Yoga mats and thin backpacking air mattresses running from the pillows which we located behind the front seats, all the way to the rear hatch. There is some narrowing from the rear seat to the hatch lip, so I think it makes more sense to have your shoulders forward and your feet in the back, especially if you are sleeping as a pair.. This setup allowed us to camp to, from, and in Alaska for 6 weeks in 2014. We always slept in the Prius that way, usually with a tent attached but also occasionally with no tent and the hatch closed due to possibility of bear attacks, etc. So with Gen 3 and that level back floor, it is easily do-able for decent sized folks (me) or petite folks (DW), or both.
    Cheers!
     
    zor and Mendel Leisk like this.
  17. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2013
    1,313
    888
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    We camp. For weeks on end. But an attached tent like the "Dome to Go" effectively gave us a 8x8 foot living and dining room attached to the car. It turned out we could easily slide out the back into the tent for dressing, eating, playing on our iPads, etc. We preferred sleeping with the hatch open as we had better ventilation and felt less closed in. Exitting the side doors was possible but awkward for me.
    Have fun!
     
    1x1 likes this.
  18. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,066
    15,372
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    I'm interested in any pictures of the setup.

    Thanks,
    Bob Wilson
     
  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,016
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Very cool setup you have there @zor. According to the manual, the skinny sensor on the windshield (passenger side of the rear view mirror) is the humidity sensor. Between that, the auto A/C in Eco Heat/Cool mode and S-Flow, it should minimise the power consumption of the A/C compressor, allowing the HV battery to last longer before discharging and having the engine come on to recharge.
     
    zor likes this.
  20. zor

    zor Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2012
    81
    33
    0
    Location:
    Canada British Columbia Vancouver
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks Tideland Prius,Im still trying to figure out how the automatic climate control works and even non automatic, regular mode....and how it effects energy consumption...i haven't yet used it in camping mode, but im looking forward to seeing how it works.

    I realized that when auto/clim is on, it wont let me switch the vents to shoot at the windshield, i called Toyota and asked why that is and they say because when the car decides to use A/C the air from inside the cabin is being used, which has moisture in it and can cause the windshield to fog up. I went into the settings and turned off automatic A/C in that case it should let me use climate control for the Winshield, but it wont, i think that Toyota should do a software update, because what ends up happening is, i cant have automated climate control on the windows and that causes them to fog up when its raining etc...mean while i can use non/auto mode for windows but then it just shoots straight heat the whole time.... Might be worth talking to Toyota about this...if im not mistaken and there is an option to have it blow on the windshield and windows in auto mode with out A/C on.