How to protect Prius front from rock and bug strikes?

Good idea, Mike!
If I mount a camera on top of each post, we would have a 3-D view of what the Prius sees when rolling down the road! Kind of a bush version of a bug-eyed Sprite.

Agree! Especially if we drive a "figure 8" type of loop in Alaska and Canada where the return route is Anchorage to Tok on the Glenn Highway, Tok to Dawson (Yukon ) on the Taylor Highway, Dawson to Carmacks on the Klondike Highway, Carmacks to Watson Lake on the Campbell Highway, and then Watson Lake to roughly Kamloops, (British Columbia) on the Cassiar Highway. That return route includes hundreds of miles of gravel road plus logging trucks, etc., so rock strikes could be a real problem.
Spider-Man also reports heavy bug strikes in Anchorage area , but the Clear Bra or masking tape methods of protection would probably be better for that although I THINK the mesh will catch a lot of them, especially if I go with 1/4 inch mesh rather than the 1/2 mesh I have now. But I really have to test the effect on mpg and make sure the assembly does not interfere with lights and signals as another poster mentioned.

 

Hope to leave July 1, but take our time and really see the country, talk with the people, and try to understand the culture and conditions of Alaska, which in my mind is the last frontier area in USA. We hope to hit a sweet spot of non freezing temps, low bugs, and low rain in the mid-July to mid-August period.

As to choice of vehicle, I have a 4-wheel drive, tow-package Tundra and had a travel trailer and that was the initial plan. But that combo got 11mpg, and I could not morally justify those co2 emissions when the Prius Super RV can do the same drive at 50-60 mpg and roughly 1/5 the co2 emissions. So bottom line is I am taking Prius because of my religion even tho I would much rather have a V-8, 4-wheel drive, 9-inches of ground clearance , and the ability to leap tall curbs with a single bound!

Good news is that all the equipment for the Prius Super RV, whilst bulky, does not weigh that much and I do not think I am any lower than when carrying 2 adults in the back seat. That said, it IS low and I foresee possible undercarriage strikes on the frost-heaved and potholed gravel roads. Has anyone replaced the plastic panels underneath with aluminum or stainless steel?

Your idea of adding a smaller mesh might work, or I could start with a 1/4 inch mesh as the base.
Thanks!

 

Good idea about the mud flaps!
I'm off to purchase the Priuschat versions now.
Bought full sized rim as you and other posters suggested (used 2012 Prius rim for $100) and will get new tire mounted after Thanksgiving .
Bring board for jacking in mud, check!
Intend to test all equipment camping this winter in Florida.
Thanks for the good wishes and will post as this unfolds (unravels?).

 

We were thinking Oscar Scherer State Park which is south of Tampa. Had a pow-wow last time we were there but that was coincidence. We have found many of the Florida state parks to be nice and ten to kind of rotate through them. Will look up Lake Mary as that does not ring a bell.

Now you're talking! And putting a wood boiler with steam generator in the trunk would allow a battery charge using renewal energy! A small, discrete smoke stack at the rear would complement the cow catcher in front. Back to the future!

Off to google the Grill Kraft Mesh kit! (Sure looks better than my jerry-rig although it does not protect as much of the surface.
Maybe that plus a Clear Bra.... Or masking tape.... Or foam pads.... To protect the rest of it.
Will definitely post pics as the adventure unfolds!

 

Good job! Had not thought of that method, but I had not thought of painter's tape, either.