Making a 2010 Prius rear hatch easier to open?

Of course I'm not close enough to evaluate their physical limitations.
But from your description, there may not be too much that can be done. Ultimately, I've seen people modify their vehicles in amazing ways. So I never say it absolutely can't be done.- Somebody can do it.

But as far as I know there is no plug and play, easy, design built product that would work.

You could replace the hydraulics, that only changes the hydraulic lift dynamic.
"Maybe" you could replace the lifts with ones that don't open as tall? But then you have a back lift that doesn't open fully. Is that what anyone wants?

I've had family members who's health has deteriorated over the years, and unfortunately sometimes that just means the tools you need and/or can utilize change.

I've got neighbors with newer SUV's with the hatches that open and close automatically.
My Dad has one of the older Toyota Rav 4, with the hatch door that open's horizontally.

Others might have better suggestions, but as far as I know, there is no easy way to make the hatch "automatic".

Good Luck, I'll check in on this thread because I'd be interested in what any one else might be able to find or offer.

 

Maybe you could connect a strap to the hatch, so the reach isn't so high? It might get in the way when closing though.

 

I don't know...
I'm kind of embarrassed that the idea of attaching a strap didn't occur to me.

But if they are buying a whole new vehicle, and it DOESN'T have an automatic hatch?

I'd sure try replacing the hydraulics and/or some other home remedies.

My concern would be, what happens as the hydraulics age on the new vehicle?
It's a LOT cheaper to replace some hydraulic struts and see what happens, than replace the whole vehicle, only to discover in a year or two, that it's become just as difficult to open.

 

Please tell me your neighbor with the "terrible eyesight" isn't the one doing all the driving?

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I replaced the lift struts a while back to make the hatch lift height lower, to prevent the hatch from hitting low ceilings in garages.

It might make it easier for both of your neighbors to close the hatch. Here's a link with information, it's a simple swap:

https://priuschat.com/index.php?posts/1534279

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

You can do this easily, or you can do it cheaply, but you can't do both. Solutions do exist, however, and are probably much cheaper than getting a new Prius, especially since they'll never get anything near what their 2010 is worth if they trade it in. The folks who mod vehicles for the disabled will very likely have packages for doing this already, or you can buy your own.

Power operated tailgate lift assisting system TL105 – Autoease

Autoadapt A-Hatch | ELAP

Contact Us | Jay Hatfield Mobility

The other thing that occurs to me is that if your friends find that a new model is easier to open/close, and since there wasn't any significant design change that I'm aware of, well, struts do degrade over time even if they're not used much. So, it's likely that the ease in opening and closing is only because the struts are new. That means xliderider is right and lift struts need replacing.