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Looking for a level trunk

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Sixstringer, Jul 13, 2022.

  1. Sixstringer

    Sixstringer Junior Member

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    I bought a 2020 L Eco not realizing when the rear seats are folded down, there is a huge 5" step down into the trunk area. This makes car camping (sleeping in the back) impossible as is. While I realize I can McGyver a solution of a raised board, cushions, etc., I'm interested to know if there are other versions of the Prius such as the LE that DO have a level trunk area when the seats are folded down? I know the RAV4 has this but I wouldn't want to spend that much. Thanks!
     
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Search (via GOOGLE is easier, but mention PriusChat in the search) for camping Gen 4 Prius - you'll find quite a few who have done it.
     
  3. PaulDM

    PaulDM Active Member

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    Any models with a spare tyre have a flat trunk.
    As stated in your other post in the Prius Camper forum
     
  4. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    McGyver a solution. I did, and have slept in the back of my L Eco ... and I have a full sized tire as a spare as well.
     
  5. PaulDM

    PaulDM Active Member

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    I suspect the 5” drop is due to a missing spare. Even the uk version without the spare only drops 2” at the most
     
  6. dacoobob

    dacoobob Member

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    I raised my trunk floor to accommodate a full-size spare tire, which has the additional benefit of making the floor nearly level with the rear seats when they're folded down. I used chunks of foam ordered from http://www.foambymail.com. I got two 70"-long, 6"-diameter cylinders of closed-cell polyethylene, chopped them into a bunch of 5-1/2"-long segments, and surrounded the spare tire well with them.

    makes for a nice firm level trunk floor. photos are here: imgur link
     
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  7. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    same

    A spare full-sized tire method | PriusChat
     
  8. Doug McC

    Doug McC Active Member

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    My 2022 Nightshade XLE does not have a spare and is basically level (the seat backs have a slight incline).
     
  9. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    This sounds like someone took the foam support out that took the place of the spare tire and its foam.

    Care to show us a picture of what is under the trunk floor mat?
     
  10. Doug McC

    Doug McC Active Member

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    On the 2022s if there is no spare you have a tire repair kit. If someone removed it and the foam it fits in I bet you would have exactly the situation you are describing.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Sounds like the XLE is just the ticket
     
  12. Sixstringer

    Sixstringer Junior Member

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    I don't have a 2022; I have a 2020 L Eco, and I bought it new from the dealer.
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    I thought you were going to trade it in for a flat trunk
     
  14. Sixstringer

    Sixstringer Junior Member

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    Yes, I am looking for a Prius with a flat trunk. It seems like the LE is the ticket, no?
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Idk, but post #8 says XLE
     
  16. dacoobob

    dacoobob Member

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  17. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    Interesting choice.

    I was looking forward to whatever sound mitigation the squishy foam would give to the rear, but it was barely disernable.

    It is, however, a little (not a lot) comfortable to sleep on.
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    4th gen roofline slopes down more/faster in the rear, compared to 3rd. Seems to me they "slammed" the hatch floor, to recoup some cargo space stats? Even with a spare, the hatch floor drops an inch or two beyond the threshold? The last hatch they got right was the Matrix, my 2 cents: with the rear seats down you had a pancake-flat loading bay. For a few years it was plastic, with longitudinal runners, a mini cargo van. Then they tarted it up with carpeting?
     
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  19. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    I've never owned a Matrix, but I've heard so many good things about them over the years that I look upon them fondly when I see them out in the wild. Saw a pristine one driving a week ago.

    The reason I learned about them was that they were possibly the last small car to actually have a substantial tow rating.
     
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  20. texasdiver

    texasdiver Member

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    dacoobob likes this.