Automatic trunk opener and closer

I've never read a thread where anyone shared installing such an aftermarket item.

But as much time as I spend here,- I can't read them all.

I suspect a healthy embracing of the spartan action of actually opening and closing your hatch in the manner of our less technologically spoiled ancestors is on the horizon.

Don't think of it so much as the absence of an automatic trunk opener, as the addition of an exercise equipment like extra.

 

welcome! i remember someone else asking, but i think it's one of those things no one wants to be the first to attempt.

 

I've never read of anyone claiming to installed a device like this.

But if it works? I suppose it works.

Like a sunroof or any complicated modification, I'd feel much more comfortable with a factory installed option.

I don't know the level of complication or modification it might take to get an powered strut installed and working.
If you do it?
I wouldn't hesitate to say that makes you a Prius Pioneer with this modification.

I still think the benefit isn't worth the sacrifice, but then again I've never had an automatic hatch.

 

that's pretty sweet! how do we find out how much, installation instructions, and what vehicles it fits?

 

Unfortunately, the rear hatch door of the Prius v does not have an electric latch to pull the hatch door shut like the Highlander and other vehicles with power opening/closing rear hatch doors. It takes a little force to engage the latch of the rear hatch door of the Prius v.

Regarding the wise-nice person comment about the "spartan action of actually opening and closing your hatch in the manner of our less technologically spoiled ancestors", that doesn't help an elderly, handicapped, five foot tall woman who has to balance on her toes to reach the open hatch. At some point I'll add a pull strap that hangs down when the hatch door is open. It hasn't been that much of an issue yet since our 2012 Prius has not been driven much but it will likely be used a lot more after the end of the year.

I have compared the hatch door design of our 2012 Prius v with the power hatch door mechanism of our 2014 Sienna Limited and do not see any provision for adding a power opening/closing mechanism to the Prius. I had wondered if a power mechanism was available as a standard or optional feature in some other world market but I've checked the parts catalog for all countries in which the Prius a, Prius v and Prius+ is sold and could not find anything.

 

whats wrong with the one ken tech linked?

 

Better a "Wise"-nice person than a Dumb-nice person.

Listen, I'm not talking to the minority here, I'm talking to the majority. And with all due respect 5ft tall, handicapped and elderly puts you in the minority. Most people CAN open and close their hatch relatively easily.

But I understand that there is a percentage and audience of people who for various reasons either can't easily open and close a hatch, or even simply- do not want to do so. And that's fine.

If it's a big enough issue, for whatever reason, I'd say you should of made sure that wasn't an issue before buying the vehicle. Because afterwards there are only two options. Either your vehicle comes equipped with an automatic hatch...or it doesn't and you have to look at aftermarket options.

Hey, it's a cool idea. I'd like the OP to investigate, and maybe even be the pioneer forerunner.

But again, speaking for the majority, an automatic hatch is a luxury, and extra, not a necessity. And for those few for which it IS a necessity? I would make sure my vehicle was equipped with it, or it was available BEFORE I bought it.

That pull strap sounds like a wonderful and simple solution.

PS.
I've read some threads where people have installed shorter shocks so the hatch simply does not open as high.
Of course the downside to that solution is that you can't open it as wide to load bigger objects.

 

Maybe you will someday understand that a person cannot predict what their future health status will be in as little as three years after buying a new vehicle.

My wife's difficulty in pulling down the rear hatch door and applying enough force to slam it shut are minor issues compared to the issues of the first generation Prius v failing the IIHS "small overlap" front crash test and its Pre-Collision System getting an unacceptable rating.

My wife seems to like her Prius v. It was her choice and I didn't have much input. But if it wasn't driven so little and mainly at low speeds, I would have insisted that it be "gone" a long time ago.

 

Never said I expected that somebody COULD predict their future health status.
If health status changes and therefore adaptation or vehicle change becomes necessary, then that is the reality. I wish anyone facing that challenge within those parameters the best of luck.

But again I think you are personalizing a minority position. For the vast majority, an automatic hatch mechanism is a "luxury" not a necessity.

I fully agree that being able to close the rear hatch is a minor issue.-(For most people)- That's kind of my point.

 

it would certainly be a popular aftermarket product. especially with the foot swoosh under the bumper.

 

It's a nice thing to have for sure. While bowling last night I saw a Subaru Forester with an auto hatch. Not sure how he engaged it, but I'm sure it was nice for his two surgically-repaired shoulders. With all of the other electronic gizmos, this is one they could have added as an option. But heck, even power seats aren't standard yet.

 

not even as an option. toy doesn't like options for obvious reasons, just packages. they must have studied cable tv.

 

Call me perverse, but I want to see the guy with the two surgically repaired shoulders bowl. How he loads his groceries seems potentially far less interesting.

 

Ironically, bowling can be a good thing for the shoulders if done properly. My rotator cuff has been much better, primarily due to the reverse motion. It's the raising of the arms that's a bit touchy.

But to keep this on topic, it's simply a nice thing to have for many people. One would think with all of the safety features developed, wireless phone chargers, that maybe a simple device to actually make life easier would be at least an option. But it's not an attack, just a suggestion, so no need for you to defend its omission so passionately.

I have this perverse notion that people matter as much as the quest for epa mileage ratings do.

 

i wish o/p would come back with the info.

 

I think I've said all along that it's nice...
At this point however, for most vehicles and most people, it's still a luxury.

As far as it's availability as an option? I wouldn't have a problem with it at all. If automatic hatches continue to grow in popularity it probably will become a standard option available in more and more of them. Usually that's how it works. Things start out as expensive or relatively rare options, if they are popular enough their availability grows.

I can remember when Prius was one of the few non-luxury, utilitarian vehicles that had a SKS and push button start. Now that is an option on way more vehicles.

For me? At this stage of life? I personally don't have a problem with hydraulic shocks and raising and closing the hatch myself. But the real world will vet the demand and marketability of auto opening hatches for the majority.

I do tend to be somewhat spartan and suspicious.

For example, my mother use to own a older Ford Escort station wagon that came with those motorized seat belt harnesses that automatically came back when you closed the door and started the car. They "seemed" real neat when you first saw them.

But in the real world, they eventually broke, and the cost for repair was astronomical. And it was an option that has more or less died. The good old, belt it yourself seat belt was functionally more durable.

So for me, since I can open and close my hatch, I'm OK with keeping the whole operation as mechanically simple as possible. If the systems prove popular and reliable? I have no problem with them becoming a much more available option. They are "nice".