Motel Prius Anyone ?

I'd suggest you look into camping equipment to see what you can find. A high density closed-cell foam like Evazote, or a self-inflating pad like ThermaRest, would work nicely. They also have the advantage of being easy to store in the vehicle when not in use.

 

I've driven from Michigan to Las Vegas, San Fran & Oklahoma City in my Prius. I may be strange, but when I'm driving long distances across the country I only drive in 3 hour bursts followed by a meal/potty break or a 2 hour nap in the drivers seat, then its back to driving, I find a regular size bedroom pillow way down on the seat makes the nap bearable. I'm not sure why but I don't sleep for long periods when driving so why spend the money on a motel??

OKC is 1000 miles from my house, US government pays me $0.48/mile each way last time, that's $960 round trip, that was almost 5 years ago, next time they'll pay me even more, I think the current rate $0.56/mile. Compared with flying where the government pays for the flight only. Our Per Diem is $70/day, the FAA has arranged housing with many apts complexes in town that give ultra short term leases on apts with rates cheaper than a motel. The per diem is enough to cover the apartment and a rental car only, so I'm making money on the drive there, on a daily basis, and the drive home by taking my Prius. We don't have Sonics in Michigan, so I've got them all stored on my GPS, I swear they've got one every block down there!!

Back to topic, what's wrong with a quick nap in the driver's seat? I've read hundreds of complaints on priuschat about the gen II seats but I've always found them comfortable. I owned a gen III tech.pkg for a while but had to get rid of it because of the stupid interior. Everyone says the seats were way improved but i didn't notice anything. My dream car would have the powertrain and body panels of a gen III, the dash, center console & steering wheel of a gen II, and the retro cool plaid seats from a VW GTI.

 

Here is what you really need

Toyota Prius camper conversion unveiled at Tokyo Auto Salon | Car Advice

 

With all the $ save driving a Prius, I stay at nice hotels....lol

 

I really like my prius but just had to post this on the board at work a while back. You should see the comments.

 

EL CHEPO: PRIUS MOTEL NO WAY!!!

SPEND $40.00 & stay at any BEST WESTERN!!!:rockon:

S&*t,shower,shave,& sleep in comfort

 

...just saw the camper mod pic a few weeks ago. I was not sure if anyone had posted here yet on PriusChat.

 

I'd love to know what the blended mpg is on that beast.

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"Flat" is relative. Sounds like the passenger seat will get in your way. I snooze in it set all the way back but if you have the room I'd recommend an air mattress. Last I heard the IRS mileage rate was $0.505 or $0.51 per mile. We seem to use both at the office. Either way, it is tough to not turn a profit when driving a Prius on business.

BTW, with the rear seats folded down the front seat does not recline all the way back (at least where I have it set).

 

No, I can imagine it's pretty bulky. The camping 'foamies' are specifically designed to be light and compact. I can fit four or five of them in the trunk under the floor.

 

I so want one of these! It looks weird, but strangely functional. You could keep all of your camping stuff up on top and sleep in the bottom. I wonder what kind of gas mileage it gets. It would be great for someone alone; a little tight for 2 people, but it could work!

 

You've been snoozing for quite some time; it's now 55.5¢.

 

I got yer motel right here.

 

Back before I was a "believer" I used to tease my girlfriend about having a prius. Then we went camping. And I teased her more because she followed me in my Dodge crew cab to the camp site.......we set up camp and eventually went to bed. Then the rain came. We got wet from something touching the side of the tent. So we took cover in my Ram. After about an hour, if that, she said "screw this" because it was about as uncomfortable as sleeping on a bed of nails. She jumped out and grabbed the air mattress out of the tent, opened the hatch on the prius, knocked the rear seats down, moved the front seats forward and threw the air mattress in the back. Then she jumped in and closed the hatch...I personally was amused. But then she said, are you coming in here or what....I figured it would be like a car full of clowns at the circus. But we ended up sleeping the rest of the long weekend in the back of the prius....comfortably and on an air mattress. I still can't believe it. And we are both 5'10"....So I would say give that a try.

 

That camper is pretty cool

 

Think I will ... what is her number? :rockon:

 

I too have rigged it up as a camper, with back seats down, and front passenger seat way forward and folded toward the windshield . Then I put a collapsable curtain rod across the hatch opening , stuck a piece of mosquito netting over it and held it in place with magnets in the hatch close trough, with head on pillows against the back of the passenger seat and a foam pad - very comfortable and cool. If it rains just close the hatch. It all still works, makes a nice camper