strange question...regarding camping in car

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by mattbatson, Mar 19, 2019.

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  1. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    I camp out in my 2009 second gen (160k miles) for a week every month when I drive from NC to Fl to visit my 9 yr old son.

    Because it is FL, I often run the air conditioning all night long. Usually only burn a couple gallons of gas (although have not tested this scientifically).

    Anyways, onto my question...

    With me sleeping in the back, when the engine turns on or off, the car jerks. Sometimes this jerk wakes me up.

    How is this with the 3rd gen? Is it a softer jerk that may not move the car as much?

    I have owned my second gen for two years, and the amount that it moves has not changed in that time. So I don't think it is soft engine mounts or anything like that.... I bought it at 80k miles and have put about another 80k miles on it

    If a 3rd gen is smoother on start up/shut down....then it will be worth it to me to sell my second gen and get a 3rd gen.

    thanks!
     
    #1 mattbatson, Mar 19, 2019
  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Not what you asked but the 4th Gen is definitely smoother. Toyota learned a lot in 20 years of Hybrid design.
     
    #2 Prodigyplace, Mar 19, 2019
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  3. kc5dlo

    kc5dlo Active Member

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    I have spent 2 to 4 weeks per year camping in my 2014. It does jerk a little when the engine kicks on. Sometimes I notice it and other times not. One thing that helps a lot is applying the parking brake as it helps keep the car from moving on start up. Not something I would trade to try and avoid.
     
    #3 kc5dlo, Mar 19, 2019
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  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I've noticed a nice touch in my Gen 3 is that it always applies the hydraulic brakes just before starting the engine. (I can actually tell when it's going to start the engine, from the little click-squish about a half-second before.) My Gen 1 definitely did not do that, so if the parking brake was off it would just rock against the parking pawl.

    I don't happen to know whether Gen 2 also applies the brakes like that or not. If it doesn't, then yes, Gen 3 is nicer. :)
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Mar 19, 2019
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  5. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    I did not know the 3rd gen applied the hydraulic brakes...that is really cool. I am certain my 2nd gen does not and that would possibly make all the difference in the world.
    I do clamp down hard on the parking brake, and even push the front wheels into the parking curb to kind of wedge the car against something.
    but there is still a pretty noticeable jerk.

    I get that most people, even those who have driven both, may not have even noticed this little detail...unless they have actually camped in both generations ;)

    thank you all for your responses.
     
    #5 mattbatson, Mar 20, 2019
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  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    My son had a Gen 2 and now has a Prius V (Gen 3). I know my Gen 4 is smoother but do not remember about Gen 2 -> Gen 3.
     
    #6 Prodigyplace, Mar 20, 2019
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Bring a tent?

    I know, heresy...
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Mar 20, 2019
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  8. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    #8 Prodigyplace, Mar 20, 2019
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  9. kc5dlo

    kc5dlo Active Member

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    I remember my first trip and it really did seem jarring and bothered me the first night or two. Now I am aware of it but it does not really bother me. Perhaps you would still notice it even if the jolt was less?
    The time the jolt really affects me is when I start to back out of a busy parking lot like a convenience store. Hit reverse and start backing out with my head on a swivel and monitoring the back up camera and the the engine kicks on. More than enough to elevate the heart rate and can see how it could irritate someone sleeping.
     
    #9 kc5dlo, Mar 20, 2019
  10. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    On the first trip where I camped in it for a few days, I found that I was sleeping through it fairly well by the second night. Those things that happen regularly, you kind of tune out.

    I used to live in an apartment where every time the 1980s-vintage gas furnace kicked on, it sounded in the bedroom like somebody banging a pot with a hammer then shooting a flamethrower.
     
    #10 ChapmanF, Mar 20, 2019
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  11. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    I do A LOT of Prius camping. In fact, I would have replied to this thread earlier, but I just got back from 20 nights.

    I know exactly what you are saying and I also agree with the other posters that it becomes less noticeable over time. And the parking brake is a good tip.

    One additional trick I do and I *think* it helps.

    When parking I let the car roll and stop it with the emergency brake. I then put it in Park. When the ICE kicks in, I believe there is less of a shake.

    I'm currently testing whether rolling forward or rolling backwards is better. The jury is out on that one.

    Obviously, not all parking spots lend themselves to this trick! :)
     
    #11 Johnny Cakes, Mar 26, 2019
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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Wheel chocks might help too.

    I don't like to encourage you guys though: you should shut it down, pitch a tent, breath the fresh air. Camping in a Prius is gonna murder your Fuelly score, lol.
     
    #12 Mendel Leisk, Mar 26, 2019
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  13. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    I hear ya, but for me, its urban stealth camping. A tent's gonna give me away! Gotta follow my team on the road.
     
    #13 Johnny Cakes, Mar 26, 2019
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Crack the windows and shut down? With those window "awning" accessories installed you'd be ready for a little rain.
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Mar 26, 2019
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  15. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    I’m sorry Mendel but I’m guessing you haven’t done much camping in south Florida in the summer

    There is no way it will work without air conditioning for me

    If you want to lay in your own pool of sweat staring up at the roof of your car or tent then have at it

    Not for me thank you

    I used a gallon of gas doing it last night

    I can live with that 2.40 dollar expense
     
    #15 mattbatson, Mar 26, 2019
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  16. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    Not too mention I visit the city and there is no place to pitch a tent...

    Thanks for the advice
    I will try that with the parking brake first
     
    #16 mattbatson, Mar 26, 2019
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  17. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    Mendel is correct for the other eight months of the year. You need to crack the windows for air flow on pleasant or even chilly nights otherwise you wake up with a bunch of condensation inside the windows. Those little awning accessories are perfect to maintain stealth.

    Just got back from Florida and, at least where I was, it's still "crack the window" weather. Having A/C is wonderful, but for those three minutes every hour that the ICE runs, you lose quite a bit of stealthiness. By the time I left yesterday, gas was well over $2.40 -- more like $2.70+!!!
     
    #17 Johnny Cakes, Mar 26, 2019
  18. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    The level of stealth is of no concern to me as I park in super Walmart parking lots along with all the other campers and RVs

    Yes
    When it is cool enough to not run the air conditioning I crack windows and I have two large rechargeable fans

    Gas could be 10 dollars a gallon and I’ll still run air when it’s hot

    Worth it for a good nights sleep
     
    #18 mattbatson, Mar 26, 2019
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  19. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Some places you aren't allowed to sleep in a car. Are you staying in a campground, a road side rest area, a Walmart?
     
    #19 padroo, Mar 26, 2019
  20. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It just went up to $2.75, from $2.59 the yesterday. Almost EVERY single brand and station it was $2.75. I think they all got together and said let's all charge the same price. This is mostly on I-95 from Vero to Palm City. This afternoon I did find a Sunoco that was
    $2.52. So I filled up!
     
    #20 ASRDogman, Mar 26, 2019
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