Road Trip!

i would think you can fit 4 packs in the back.. the only way to really know (since i'm not sure i've ever heard of a backpacker on here... but i'm sure they exist)... is to grab a pack, go to toyota, and toss it in back to see how it goes.

i'm 5'11 and my car is comfortable (with lumbar support).. your seats are more comfy than mine. (a lot more from the test i remember)

fuel economy... in a genIII i would expect no less than 45 on a long distance drive... in my car with rims and such. i get about 40 on really long trips... in city... i just get 40 all the time....

 

I have done this before. If they're really "fat" backpacks, may have to stand them up which can affect vision. Love the canyonlands!

 

If your packs have large frames then you may have to lay them flat and stack them up. The frameless packs you can stand up and and have room to spare. The back seat is fine for 6 footers but much over 6'3" and things get a little cramped.

Mpg will be dictated by your cruising speed and any major hills you have to cross. Being new to the Prius and with a full load I would say anything over 40mpg and you're doing well. If your keep speeds under 70mph your could see 45mpg-50mpg.

Make sure your spare tire is aired up and that your main tires are aired up properly and are in good condition.

I have 145000 miles on my car and have had not issues. A brand new battery could cost you $3000 installed. A refurbished battery runs about $2000 installed. A used battery may run $1000 installed.

 

I just took my first long trip in my 06 Prius. Went to Toledo Ohio and back to DC. The car was not comfortable as my lower back didn't agree on the seats. I've seen several threads here reporting the same thing, but will play around and see if bringing the seat back more upright helps out a bit.

As for mpg I averaged 49mpg to Ohio and 52mpg on the way back. This is with a family of 4 and a trunk full of luggage. found that doing 70 my mpg would not go over 50 and seemed steady at 48mpg. The Prius seemed to get the best hwy mpg doing 55-65mph where it stayed above 50mpg.

 

Depends on the leg room needed for those 6'3" people... our son is 6'5", almost entirely legs, and he fits fine in the back seat.

 

I have my doubts that four large, fully loaded packs will fit in the back. Two, for sure - maybe three if you put the packs on their sides - and one or two more may just fit in the back seat, between the two passengers. On long trips, we often pile a bunch of stuff there and it seems to work quite well. It's a bit cramped, but certainly workable. If you're willing to unload the packs and redistribute the contents within the car, that makes fitting everything in much more likely. I don't think the overall volume will be an issue; it's just carrying it all in four 'packages'.

 

Young could empty one of the packs into the storage area under the rear deck lid. If you are feeling lucky you could remove the spare tire and have a bunch more storage. Just don't forget the can of fix a flat. I don't recommend doing this on a trip into remote areas.

 

Leaving the spare at home sounds risky, but taking out the 'floor' might help. The overall volume wouldn't increase, obviously, but there'd be more clearance for stacking luggage. I can fit four self-inflating mattresses and two tents in there, so it's a significantly useful amount of space.

 

If one really needs more room, perhaps the upcoming Prius v wagon would be better suited. Besides having a bit more width, the rear seats can slide back and forth.