Just added new suspension with 1.5" lift kit for the gravel and dirt roads I travel. Interesting read I found on the prius offload company, was that owners are reporting better mileage. Car is dirty but here is a Pic. SM-F731U ?
Better MPG from being taller? Doubtful, but these cars do look better with larger tires and the kit on for sure.
It was a claim that Prius Offroad site said some customers were getting 1mpg better. I think that maybe because they were driving slower. I have been noticing about 2 to 3 mpgs lower. Though this is on the highway around 75mph. Just settled with 225/55/tire size. Next time I am going with 225/60/17. Prius Wagon in Boone NC
I have a prius v ljust like yours but also a Sienna that I have converted over to a camping vehicle for me. I've installed a lift kit and another goodies on it. But it sure sucks the gas. Was toying with the idea of taking the v for a camping conversion and selling my van to get a EV for my wife.
As I get older, I definitely like thr convenience in terms of tsking advantage of the hybrid engine and turning on heat or AC. No tents = fast brake down of the campsite. And Prius V is surprisingly large. Try it! Prius Wagon in Boone NC
The roof box may be eating up fuel economy. What is the fuel consumption currently shown on the dashboard?
100% it is. If your 'stock' Prius V is already barely getting 38-40 mpg, then adding wider heavier tires, a lift kit (more wind drag), and a roof box is going to lose much more than 1-2 mpg. My guess is they are getting around 30-32 on a good day (especially if going up hilly mountain roads and letting the car idle all night). Might as well buy a Venza or Sienna and camp in that and not deal with any hybrid woes.
I decided to go with Prius Offroad because lift wasn't too high and they sold me on the driving dynamics not changing significantly. Priusoffroad - Prius Lift, Lift Kits
I would say it drops at least 2 to 3 mpg with just the roof rack at highway speeds when I have to cross multiple states with the speed limit at 70mph and driving around 75 or 80.
Thats about right. Another factor is that my car is 2017 though I bought in 2016 and starting to feel the battery degradation 210k miles. My EV only mode pretty much doesn't work anymore. The higher speeds (over 70) really takes a hit on the MPG. I just drove 440 miles and got about 30.8 mpg. I then drive to and from work at about 50 miles each way and got about 40mpg. This was more to do with traffic. Right now since my 440 longer trip and 200 miles to and from work I am averaging 33. One of the big reason why I like using the Prius for camping, is that I can car camp and leave the engine running when it is extremely cold and barely use any gas with the Hybrid engine. Not to mention the cargo space is better than the Venza. Anyway at 210k miles, I doubt my car is worth much, so I'll keep it as long as I can and start having fun with aftermarket parts and see what else I can with it. I am already thinking about trimmer the wheel well and getting bigger tires the next time around.
One of the Japanese websites posted photos of modified cars. Reinforced springs and spacers under the support pillars, off-road wheels turn the minivan into an SUV. Visually it looks great. Raising the bottom point almost to the level of the middle of the wheel. For traveling on light off-road terrain.
