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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. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    A scangauge can help. HTMLSpinnr has one and posted the power (W) usage for the Gen 3.

    I'm not sure I understand your second paragraph. You can use the front defroster at any time.
     
  2. zor

    zor Member

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    yes but what happens when you use the front defroster is it goes into full blast and wont shut off by its self and when you shut it off it fogs up again so you gotta keep hitting it all the time...
     
  3. zor

    zor Member

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    Unless there is a way to adjust that as well so that the front defroster works with automated climate control
     
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Ohhh I see, I understand now. Yeah technically that is how the defroster works in AUTO mode. It basically tries to clear the window as fast as possible so it will go to full speed. Leave it long enough and it will subside (It also depends on the temperature that you set). I don't use the front defroster often as I turn it off as soon as the windshield is clear. In AUTO mode, it should stay relatively clear. Ensure that your A/C light is on in AUTO mode (so that the A/C compressor can cycle on and off. Remember that A/C acts as dehumidifier, drying the air as it enters the cabin). Also, ensure that you're not in RECIRC as that'll fog up the window if the A/C is off. Keep it in FRESH AIR mode.

    Alternatively, you can just leave the defroster on and just manually lower the fan speed (but note that the engine will idle more often, at least that's what I've noticed, which is why I turn off the defroster once the windshield is clear).
     
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  5. zor

    zor Member

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    Thanks for those suggestions, Tideland Prius, ill try it out and play with it some more....
     
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Np. Hopefully one of those suggestions solves the problem.
     
  7. Zojja

    Zojja Active Member

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    So you guys that use a car tent, what do you do in bear country? Do you actually just shut the hatch during the night and keep your food with you? (all we got around here is bear country)

    (and I doubt it'd work for us, my husband and 2 dogs sleep comfortably in a tent, but in the back of the Prius, not sure :) )
     
  8. zor

    zor Member

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    Hi Zojja,

    :) that is exactly one of the biggest reasons why i am choosing to camp in a prius....bear country and cougar, wild cat,coyotes,. I live in BC and this is bear country all over... Ive had some experience with wild life when i was in a tent sleeping in the back country...alone lol. Mostly people are safe in a tent if they keep their food away from the campsite but in a prius its about the inclement weather as well as being safer in the car from animals. lol that would be quite snug with all of you in the back sleeping together, definitely need all the windows open :p
     
    #108 zor, Mar 10, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2016
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  9. Zojja

    Zojja Active Member

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    Oh I haven't been too concerned about bears outside our tent, with our food in our car, I was just curious if we were in the car with the food, I'd be more concerned. One camping trip, there was a very noisy bear outside our tent and I needed to go to the bathroom but I had to wait the bear out. That is how it goes :)
     
  10. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Bob: Pic 1 is pic of tent when packed--Napier Sportz dome-to-go model 86000. Floor is 8.5 X 8.5 feet square.
    Pic 2 is 6'2" person reclining in rear of hatchback, taken from tent. We both slept there, but DW is only 5'2".
    Pic 3 is a general outside pic of tent attached to car ( without the rain fly installed). The "sleeve" or "tunnel" fits well over the hatch although I installed a hold-down to keep the hatch about 6 inches lower than the normal full-open position. You can detach tent from car, zip the tunnel closed, and drive off leaving the tent standing in about 5 minutes. More details? image.jpg image.jpg
    image.jpg
     
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  11. zor

    zor Member

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    Hi Bob,

    The front passenger seat or the driver seat? the passenger seat is just pushed forward all the way and the back rest reclined as far forward as possible.

    I get on the cot from the rear hatch, although i returned the cot and just went with the air mattress because im 6'1 and the cot sits high up , due to the front Passanger seat sloping upwards i loose some room when that high up, its doable i could have managed but i wanted to lay a bit lower, i might put the cot back in there and try it out... i haven't given it a fair chance yet.

    Yes, temperatures during the day are no problem and at night should be no problem as well...we have the option of using automatic climate control, if one doesnt want to do that just some extra layers and the windows cracked open should be ok...check out prius camper on facebook page/group for more information. with windows open we can use bug mesh for bugs.

    That is a cool idea, show us some pics with your final results.

    Hope this response helped.
     
  12. annexedwa

    annexedwa Junior Member

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    What is the effects of leaving the Prius on all night idling? Is it designed to idle for 7 hours + at a time?
     
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  13. zor

    zor Member

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    that is a really good question and lots of prius campers do it so i imagine some one would have found an issue with it by now and said it if there was one that was noticeable, i don wonder what the manufacturer would say about that though...something to look into. Thank you for the question.
     
  14. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    That's the beauty of a Prius. It doesn't need to idle continuously. Engine runs to charge the battery and then goes "off" most of the time. (especially with minimum load).
     
  15. Lori 08

    Lori 08 Junior Member

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    I plan on cutting a piece of plywood to inner size of depression. Then attaching 5 pieces of 4x4s, cut to make up for additional depth and securing them. one on each corner and one in the middle. It might add some weight but i will store it when not in use.
     
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  16. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    I have slept in my Gen 4 and its fine. I provided a more complete explanation in another thread. It's not bad, and a lot cheaper than a hotel. And no bed bugs.

    Click here to see my more complete post.

    BTW, my 2016 Two has the flat floor with a real spare, a requirement I decided upon before I purchased the vehicle. I also felt confident in the NiMH battery as opposed to the Lithium Ion setup, as the former is well tested and proven technology.

    In hot weather, which I experienced in one overnight in Parker, AZ last week, the Prius maintained a comfortable 71 degrees all night with just a handful of starts of the ICE that I remember. The car was left in the ready mode, and I turned off the main display to reduce ambient light. The starting was very smooth, with just a small "jerk" that bounces the suspension (the Prius has no traditional starting motor). Charging sessions lasted about 3 minutes. Daytime temperature was 99 degrees, when I woke up and continued on my trip it was 85 outside.
     
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  17. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    My UK model with Ni-Mh battery (which all uk specs have) does not have a cargo floor level with the folded rear seats, it's about 4" lower than the seats.
    I think it's to do with whether you have a spare wheel or not. Mine has the goop puncture repair kit at the moment and I suspect this is the reason I have a lower cargo floor. The spare wheel would raise the floor by some way and I think this would bring the cargo floor to the height of the folded seat backs. My dealer has ordered a spare wheel kit for me which should be with me next week and I will confirm this when I get it.
     
  18. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    I have "vacationed" in my Gen 4 over the last couple of weeks in the Mojave and Colorado deserts (California and Arizona). Temps in the daytime are already in the low 100s, and don't cool off until very early morning (after midnight).

    Leaving the car in Ready mode with the central display off, and the AC set at 72 degrees the car starts and runs for about 2 or 3 minutes every hour or so. The frequency of the start/stops decreases as the outdoor temps moderate. It does not idle continuously. I put the re-circulation setting to "in-car." Talk about luxury!

    The AC fan does run continuously. Be sure to set the parking brake to reduce felt motion when the ICE starts.

    Doing some quick math on a sleepover when the daytime temps were 104, the Gen 4 sipped about 0.63 gallons of gas with a 8:30 p.m. bedtime and a 6 a.m. wakeup. That's about $1.80 per night -- far cheaper than a hotel.
     
  19. Scarface2005

    Scarface2005 Member

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    I am 6’6” barefoot and used to sleep so comfortably in my 2012 Prius plug in. There was plenty of room. Sadly the car was totaled :-(. I’m researching and looking at this thread for ideas to get my fourth gen Prime into camping mode. Seems like it’s gonna be difficult
     
  20. MikeV

    MikeV Junior Member

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    It is a Four.[/QUOTE]
    any pics of the set