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World's most efficient RV! Mods for sleeping in back of Prius Three

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Robert Holt, Aug 3, 2013.

  1. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    With front seats full forward and rear seats folded flat, there is enough length for a 6' 2" person to stretch out and sleep in the back of the Prius Three. 1) removed the rear headrests, slipped the shoulder belts from the clips atop the rear seat, and then folded the rear seat flat. (2) I stacked two plastic egg crates in the foot wells behind the front and rear seats. (3) I cut a 17" by 48" piece of thin (3/16") plywood and placed it on top of the egg crates between the folded-down rear seat and the back of the front seat. The plywood should be right about the same level as the folded down seat, so you can now put an air mattress and sleeping bag on that combined surface and sleep. We found it works best if our heads are toward the front seat backs and our feet toward the hatch as you have about 50 inches width in the center but less at the hatchback opening.
    We also made screens for all 4 windows by sewing big "pockets" out of no-see-um netting; we left an extra length on the outside of each window and hold each one down with a strip magnet.
    We purchased a "tent" for the rear and found that while it increases the airiness of the cabin, it was not necessary for sleeping as I could stretch out and sleep even with the hatchback closed, which I would recommend in bear country. image.jpg
     
    ckayte, Redpoint5, Lindsi and 5 others like this.
  2. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    And it had ac and heat
     
  3. wotcher

    wotcher Member

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    thanks for the post. I'm interested. can you provide more description or pictures of the window screens? and do you put the the plywood in trunk when not in use? thanks again.
     
  4. longshot

    longshot Junior Member

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    Would like to see more pics and the tent

    cm_tenderloin ? 2
     
  5. Dwell.In.Possibility

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    Very helpful post. I too would like more information about the window screens and pics of them, if possible.

    I am planning an extended road trip in my Gen III Prius. I'm having trouble creating screens that are easy to use and effective. I will be traveling solo, so may use your egg crate idea on just the passenger side.

    Thanks again and more on screens please.
     
  6. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Sorry about delayed reply, folks! Here is pic of left side screens . They are just sewn "pockets" of no-see-um screen mesh (very fine grid for the mesh) that slide down over each window. The rear door screen is all the way down and is secured at the bottom by magnet strips or magnetic buttons purchased from A.C. Moore or Michaels hobby shops. I am holding the screen for the front door window so that you can see how it is just slipped down over the door frame and has the extra 3 inches on the outside that is used to place the magnets on. The no-see-um mesh is from Campmor and I used either 3 or 4 yards of it to make screens for all four windows. To make them, cut out a section of screen large enough to fold over the entire window with some extra at the bottom. Pin the screen together around the three basic edges of the window frame (left side, top, and right side. Sew those three sides of the pocket using a large zigzag stitch. Slip over the door frame and secure with the magnets on the outside. You can still operate the windows when the screens are on which is useful if you just want the windows cracked open a bit, but in summer we had the windows all the way down. Remember to take them off during the day when you drive the car, though, as they obscure vision a bit. Does that help? image.jpg
     
  7. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    That piece of plywood is awkward to store as the 48 x 17 inch size is a bit big for the trunk and we put all four plastic milk crates in the trunk whilst traveling. However, the plywood does fit quite nicely either up un edge just behind the front seats or lying flat on the rear seat. I like the latter position as it makes it far easier to slide things in and out of the back seat. If you are carrying passengers in the rear, however, you might have to cut it in two and join the halves with a hinge. That way you could fold it and it should fit flat on the floor in the trunk area. I have not done that yet, however, as I like the rear seat placement.
     
  8. Nate Prentice

    Nate Prentice Junior Member

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    2010 Prius
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    I found that Habitents (on the Internet, I don't have linking priviliges yet. It is a dot kom) had a good suggestion for Sterilite containers which provided a level floor and storage. As they write in their FAQ: STERLITE CONTAINERS

    "Which containers should I use to build up the sleeping area behind the front seats? Whatever fits in your car is great. We use Sterlite storage containers that you can get at stores like Target. The two large ones are model 1659 (56 quart measuring 23x16 1/4x 12 3/8). The two small ones are model 1655 (28 quart measuring 23x16 1/4x 6). Stack one large on one small behind each front seat, which makes a height of 18 3/8. In order for them to fit, push the front seats all the way forward with the seatbacks tipped forward. We also remove the rear seat headrests. "
     
  9. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    I found the plastic milk crates were light, robust, and easily handling, but any system of sturdy plastic (or wood) containers that stack to the right height would do.
    I also looked at the Habitent and would have purchased it for sleeping en route, but at that time they only accepted PayPal. The one we have now has enough floor area for a table and chairs, and thus provides a "living and dining" area off do the "bedroom", which we like.