Ultimate Prius Camping Trip

Some of this might be helpful:
Prius can power your home in a snowstorm - AllDeaf.com

Recognize that your inverter is not connected to the traction battery but to the 12V. Depending on how many amps you are pulling to run the laptop and charge the camera batteries and whatever else you might connect, it might have to be hard wired. I would set something up with a plug and a shut off that are easily accessible.

My laptop 100V - 240V adapter is max 2.5A input so you are probably just fine with a 12V outlet connection unless you are using a 1200W hair dryer

Given the 12V is a puny little thing, you want to make sure it is in very good shape since you will be charging and discharging it like a deep cycle battery which it is NOT.

BTW, the Prius puts out very little CO so it is a much better choice for your type of trip than most other cars.

Looking at your park selections, I doubt you will be needing the A/C for sleeping at night. I've been to many of them. You will find that some elevation and lack of humidity makes for a LOT cooler summer temps than you are used to in the SE. You will be leaving the car off and pulling the sleeping bag up a little higher. Even Red Rock has an average low of 75 or lower in Jul & Aug. OK you might want the AC in Death Valley in August.

If you are doing Zion and Capitol Reef, PLEASE do Bryce as well. You will not be sorry. You can easily go through Bryce on the way from Capitol Reef to Zion. In fact, it is on the most direct route. Take 70 from Arches, drop down on 24 to get to Capitol Reef. From there, take 12 to Bryce, then 12 and 89 to 9 to Zion. If you don't want to take the 'scenic route' from Capitol Reef to Bryce, go west on 24 then drop down on 62 to 22 where it meets 12.

 

Oh yes, don't miss the opportunity to see Bryce Canyon N.P. since you're planning to be so close to it. I agree with bruceha except on one point: Don't miss the drive from Capitol Reef to Bryce on Route 12. It's one of the most scenic and enjoyable drives I've ever taken.

 

Be sure to get one of these for $80,

America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

otherwise you will be paying about $400 for admission to that batch of parks.

Or if you are an olde geezer, you can get a $10 lifetime pass.

I will also highly recommend Bryce.

Read about Death Valley in August and be prepared, it's called Death Valley instead of Pleasant Valley for good reason.

Average High temperature in august is 113F,

http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/Weather%20and%20Climate.pdf

but sometimes it gets a lot hotter. In addition to the standard cautions and preparation, sure to take some gloves so you can touch your steering wheel after it's parked in the sun there. Also watch the grades leaving the park, particularly headed west. There is a 5,000 foot climb on a mostly straight road that makes it seem like you can go fast, so watch engine temperatures.

The average low temperature of 85F occurs shortly before the sun comes back up, it will be warmer until into the we hours of the morning. Good news is anything under100F in that lack of humidity is downright comfortable as long as you aren't doing anything strenuous.

If you are healthy and prepared it will be a good experience.:rockon: Take it easy on your car though.

 

Sunshades and windows cracked will make all the difference in the world, you electronics will be much better off than when someone shuts them in a closed up car in regular 100F weather without sun shades.

There will also be limited places to stay, eat and buy gas. Furnace Creek Ranch area will have all of the above and everything except gasoline is semi reasonable there.

DV might be a place to splurge and get a room. The basic cabins at Furnace Creek Ranch are rustic but clean and comfortable.
Death Valley Lodging. Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort. - Make a Reservation: Rates & Reservation Policies
It is also centrally located. You go south from there about 30 minutes if you want to go to the lowest spot (Bad Water)in the valley and North about 45 minutes to get to Scotty's Castle which is a nice side trip and cooler at 3000 feet elevation.

We went through towards the West last June. We bought gas at a good price in Las Vegas. On the west side you need to get out to Lone Pine CA before you can buy gas at less than astronomical prices.

 

I just got back from a trip to Prince Edward Island and did try sleeping in the car once and the rest of the time in a tent.

I put mosquito netting over the front two side windows held by the door top and sides and super magnets at the bottom. I then put on a PopTop cover over the top and windows, pulling the sides out with lines tied to trees... then entered a back door. Overall it was too hot early in the evening without the fan on, although if I was in a windier area that would be ok. It was fine later and I turned the car off. I took a couple pics if anyone is interested.

I didn't want to be accosted by varmits so all the food was outside in either a steel box or an aluminum cooler with racoon proof latches.

I did the tent thing the other nights since I just bought a new tent I was keen on trying and it has better headroom and better ventilation.

Edit... I also brought my bike along and it was in the car with me.. I have a different solution to the roof or hitch rack question... I bought a Brompton Folding Bike ... a great fold and a great ride!... Keeps the aerodynamics clean.

 

Always have a window open a bit when sleeping in the car. I have deflectors on mine, too.

 

Take a look at this: Prius camping

The Hobbit has thought through the issues related to sleeping in a Prius.

 

Yes, Hobbit is a wealth of knowledge, not to mention willing to bust into things most of us wouldn't dare mess with for fear of permanent damage to our cars!

 

Don't know really. I replaced mine at just about 4 years. The symptom? Totally dead one morning even though I had driven it the day before and I hadn't left any lights on. Wouldn't jump or charge up either. After the fact, I surmised that the random messages I had been getting for the prior few months relating to the car not being in park or something (don't recall exactly) were an indication that the 12V was going south. No proof of this of course but they stopped when I replaced it in step 1, haven't seen the message since. Smoking gun.

If yours dies:

1. You can safely hook up another 12V while you wait for your Yellow top replacement. I put a 12V marine battery (because I had it in the basement) into the tray under the rear deck (removed for the duration), well secured of course to the tie down D rings. The terminals on the OEM battery are smaller than normal so you have to jury rig a bit with proper sized wire and terminals. Again, I happened to have these in the basement mess. Not a permanent fix but worked well enough for the week I needed it.
2. Ignore the notice that the OEM battery is maintenance free, take it out, peel the yellow sticker off the top, open the caps and add water to the top of the plates (NOT the bottom of the holes) if it isn't there already. Yes indeed, just because it is glass mat and not flooded cell doesn't mean it can't get low on water. Mine took a charge after I did that. Worst thing that can happen is you end up with a dead battery (which it was already). Of course, I had already done #1 so I didn't put it back in the car. But had I known, I would have checked that first thing when it didn't charge up.

 

I will probably forum search or google search this, but just off hand, what's a good way to check the condition of the 12v battery, since you say it is "puny"?



Prius battery test procedure for 2004 to 2010 Prius Cars

Here is a battery test you can perform on a Prius battery that is easy to do. It will not always detect a weak battery that does not allow you
to park you car for long before it is drained down by the security system.

However, this test requires no tools, is easy to do and will give you some idea of the state of your battery. You can also perform this
test after the car has been parked for a while to see how well the battery holds up under the drain from the security system.

• Do this test after you have driven the car for at least 30 minutes. This will give the battery a chance to be fully
  charged.
• Put the transmission in Park.
• Engage the parking brake
• Push in the power button. (if not already on)
• Push Display button. top button to left of screen - "DISPLAY" will now appear in the upper left corner of your screen.)
• Push on the upper left(1) on the display just inside the box, withdraw, then push on the lower left display(2). Do this three times. Keep trying till the screen changes. If the word "Display" in the upper left
  hand corner of the screen goes away hit the display switch again.
• Push on Menu in upper right of display screen.
• Push on Display Check
• Push on Vehicle Signal Check
• You will see the 12 volt voltage displayed. In accessory mode the voltage should be 12.6
• With no electrical accessories on including lights the voltage should be fluctuate between 12.6 and 11.9.
  The lower the voltage, the less of a charge your battery currently has. If the voltage is low do not proceed
  as the load test might totally discharge your battery. (If you see a voltage around 13.8 you are seeing
  voltage from the high voltage battery being converted to around 13.8 in an attempt to recharge your battery.
  This normally does not occur till after you start the engine but might occur earlier if the battery is very drained.)
• You can also test the battery by turning on the headlights, rear window heater and the heater fan. For a
  new battery the voltage would be around 11.3. If the voltage drops below 10.2 it should definitely be replaced.
  For voltages in between the lower the voltage, the lower current charge of your battery.
• Note: If in doubt disconnect the 12 volt battery completely (start with the negative post to avoid shorting
  the battery) and hook it up to a battery tester.

 

Sitting in my Prius just listening to the radio while eating, my Prius kicked on to recharge the batteries a couple of times - it's probably fine, but I would be a tiny bit concerned about waking up in the morning and finding out I ran out of gas.

I wonder if there's any way to keep a little spare gas in the car (like in a gas can) without worrying that the gas fumes will fill the car?

 

Well, if the battery is AGM it would be excessive to add water to the top of the plates. It would be OK to add one ounce of distilled water to each of the six cells. Remember that AGM is not supposed to have much if any free liquid within.

 

We made the Michigan to Washington & Oregon as a camping trip the last 3 summers in our 2006 Prius ~ each time covered some 7000 miles over a period of 25 days. We tent in National Forest camp grounds and National Parks (yes, we have the Golden Ages card) and some city/county camp grounds ~ nice, with showers for a minimal fee. Haven't considered sleeping in-the-car = that's where we keep the food away from the 'animals' Almost ready to take the 2010 Prius out on the road for this Summer's trip ~ the tent with an air-matress is comfortable for this retired-couple.
Great inexpensive way to get out and see the country; highly recommended.

 

Howdy! My gf & I did a 10,000 mile road trip w/ the Prius a few years ago & it was so much fun!

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...00-mile-n-american-road-trip-w-new-prius.html

(pics here - http://tinyurl.com/29h7bdn )

If you want a good hike, Angels Landing @ Zion is one of my all time favorites. (Unless you're afraid of heights)

I would also probably camp in the tent a bit more, especially if it's nice out.

I've spent a good amount of nights sleeping in the car as well though, most recently at a music festival a few weeks ago -





Have fun!


We're leaving in a few weeks for Colorado, Utah, and then Nevada for Burning Man. I can't wait!

 

We just decided to use our old Thule Excursion rooftop cargo rack on the Prius for our next trip.
The thing is HUGE, and I know there will be a loss of MPGs, but I think the extra space will be worth it. My only concern is the crosswinds in the plains states, which are already a bit rough w/ the Prius.