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Hatch Lid Too High

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by blane, Jan 12, 2017.

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  1. blane

    blane Carmudgeon

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    I would have replaced my 2011 Prius with a 2017 except for the fact that my 5' 2" wife absolutely cannot reach the open hatch lid to close it. If it's not closed, it shouldn't be driven. Poor design choice.

    It is reachable for her in the 2011.
     
    #1 blane, Jan 12, 2017
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  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Perhaps a Prius c would be lower. It has not been updated to the newer technology yet, though.
     
    #2 Prodigyplace, Jan 12, 2017
  3. blane

    blane Carmudgeon

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    Thanks, but the Prius C is just not in the same class as the regular Prius Hatchback. Totally different type of vehicle, more like a subcompact Yaris with a hybrid engine.
     
    #3 blane, Jan 12, 2017
  4. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    There was a thread about attaching a cord to prevent the hatch from reaching too high on this site. It was to keep the hatch from hitting the garage door, but should also work to solve this issue.
     
    #4 krmcg, Jan 12, 2017
  5. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Some people tether the hatch so it doesn't raise so high. I may do that on my PiP so it doesn't hit the open garage door. Or get shorter struts.

    Just to be sure, you do know there's a handle on the bottom inside of the hatch on the Gen 3? My wife didn't know about the one on her Gen 2 for several months until she noticed me using it. She's 5'-4" and she reaches it easily. No stretching or tippy toe. ;)
     
    #5 jerrymildred, Jan 12, 2017
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  6. blane

    blane Carmudgeon

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    Ah yes, I have a scratch on my 2011 Gen 3 Prius hatch spoiler from my garage door opener hardware. Lesson learned.
     
    #6 blane, Jan 12, 2017
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  7. blane

    blane Carmudgeon

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    Yup! We use the two small grab handles in my Gen 3. No problem.

    The Gen 4 is the problem. My wife can't even touch the bottom edge of the hatch with her fingertips while standing on her toes.
     
    #7 blane, Jan 12, 2017
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the prime has an adjustable height hatch door.
     
    #8 bisco, Jan 12, 2017
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  9. blane

    blane Carmudgeon

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    Interesting. I wonder whether the non-Prime version has that adjustability. Clearly, the two salespeople that I spoke with had no idea when I showed them the problem. I'll check with their Service Department gurus.
     
    #9 blane, Jan 12, 2017
  10. Tande

    Tande Active Member

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    Yup....my wife has the same problem with her Gen.III ......I made a simple "Reach/Extension" out of 1/2" dia. PVC tubing & leave it in the hatch.......problem solved
     
    #10 Tande, Jan 12, 2017
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's not well publicized on the prime, one of our members found it. i wish i could credit them, but i've forgotten who it was.
     
    #11 bisco, Jan 12, 2017
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    another option is shorter struts.
     
    #12 bisco, Jan 12, 2017
  13. au_prius

    au_prius Australian Prius Driver

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    #13 au_prius, Jan 12, 2017
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    cool! never saw one before, very simple.
     
    #14 bisco, Jan 12, 2017
  15. blane

    blane Carmudgeon

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    Have you any idea which generation Prius that screen grab was for?

    I find it fascinating that Toyota, a Japanese manufacturer and designer, would not consider the height of drivers when designing hatch lids. I just checked Wikipedia and the average heights of Japanese citizens is two inches shorter than United States citizens. That goes for both males and females.
     
    #15 blane, Jan 12, 2017
  16. blane

    blane Carmudgeon

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    Or longer arms and legs.
     
    #16 blane, Jan 12, 2017
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hasn't worked for me despite years of trying.:unsure:
     
    #17 bisco, Jan 12, 2017
  18. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Oops! I thought I saw a Gen 4 reference, but when I went back to double check, I only looked at your avatar info. LOL!

    Looks like Bisco has the solution. :cool:
     
    #18 jerrymildred, Jan 12, 2017
  19. au_prius

    au_prius Australian Prius Driver

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    This is for the Gen 4 (ZVW50 series) Prius.

    I agree with your comments, however, re: height.
     
    #19 au_prius, Jan 12, 2017
  20. Anastaceyrose

    Anastaceyrose Member

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    Can we order any of those products from the US?
     
    #20 Anastaceyrose, Jan 13, 2017
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