My Minimalist Bike Hauler Sleeper

Shake down test at 65-75 MPH (yes, the Prius can go above 35 MPH but barely :rofl).
The RPMs felt normal but the MPG dropped down to 38-40MPG (full loaded) on a 50 Mile shakedown test.
What I am really liking about the Prius is how low maintenance the car has been. I am looking forward to the temp controlled 'camping' experience. Need to get the sine wave inverter installed to run electrical camping stuff.
Simba

 

I got the Harbor Freight 40X48 trailer. It can easily carry one bike.
I somewhat over built and have added about 100ibs unnecessarily.
The bike is less than 300 pounds, trailer maximum about 250 pounds. Still combined well below the 1000 pounds.
The roof rack and carrier are a bigger hit to the MPG than the bike and trailer. But I need the roof carrier space when travelling with the Family. When solo I am super minimalistic.
Simba

 

My roof rack was an Ebay cheap deal. Its obviously not high quality but appears to be OK and functional. The roof top carrier was purchased at Sears a few years ago. Its a little too big for the Prius but I think I have doubled the cargo space. There is plenty of room for my motorcycle gear, drones, camping stuff and allows for plenty of sleeping area in the car.
Simba

 

My Wife and Daughters left from Mid-Michigan towards Calgary, Alberta.
I am happy that she is currently getting 38 MPG with the roof top carrier and pulling the small trailer and motorbike (top picture).
The Girls don't pack lightly.
I will post a few pics after I join them this Saturday.
Simba

 

Mrs. Simba says the Prius did very well and she averaged 43-45 MPG on the drive from Mid-Michigan to Calgary, Alberta.. This was the first time she has driven such a long distance let alone pulling a trailer and a motorcycle. We had decided she would only drive about 400 or so Miles per day.

After I joined the family in Calgary I checked the oil and had to add almost 3/4 Quart--we had just gotten an oil change (5W30, fully synthetic for High Mileage cars) before she left so I wasn't too worried about her not checking. Prior to this I had not known my Prius was burning some oil. So be it. I have been checking almost every 500 Miles on this trip and have had to add a bit of oil every 3rd day of driving or so.

This car has so impressed us that we are strongly considering a V. My Daughters would appreciate a little more leg room and the girls need a bit more luggage room. They do not pack light. A young man said that he had never seen so much luggage come out of a Prius when we checked into our hotel this evening.

Simba



Glacier was excellent. The 'Road To The Sun' was fantastic.






gotta have food pics

 

The reason I use the Prius to trailer my bike:

Gemini Bridges, Moab, Utah

 

A couple of years ago:
A Manly Man takes his Prius and his ferocious puppy to Deals Gap (Tail Of The Dragon)--US129.
OMG, the performance was amazing. Not one motorcycle could keep up with me because not even one passed me.
I turned the steering wheel this way and then I turned it that way. The thrills were just too much. Several 'squids' begged me to let them drive the Prius. I just smiled and told them to get their own.
I survived. I slayed The Dragon.

 

Wow--I took the car down Shafers Trail in Moab, Utah Canyonlands National Park. Many looked at me like I was crazy but I knew the car would do fine as the dirt road had been graded recently and I have done this in a motorcycle and different cars several times.

The car has performed way above my expectations.

I will post my recent trip (8K Miles total) once I get home tomorrow.
Simba

 

Finally got the 1000W power inverter installed.
It took about 30 minutes to do it once I got started.
Simba

I will do a better job of 'tucking in' the cables.
Simba

 

The parts to lift the Prius have arrived. I will have the mechanic change out the struts/coil springs as well.
We are getting ready to go on a road trip.
I will post details and issues since the struts are non-oem from Amazon.
Simba