Question regarding Prius and leaving Ac on overnight in Florida

Lots of videos on youtube about people car camping in a Prius and leaving the car running overnight. The engine simply turns on occasionally to recharge everything as needed. I will note that the videos I have seen are not on the newest generation of Prius. I have the 2023 and there's no way I could imagine car camping inside of it. I bought my daughter a 2016 and that definitely has enough room (at least according to the youtube vids).

things I noticed:
You mention bad air quality in Phoenix. I assume you're referring to smog. Have you thought about Jerome, Cottonwood, Sedona or even Flagstaff? I don't think you'd have smog and it'd be too dry for molds. Those areas are beautiful and you wouldnt be living and sleeping in a swamp.

Florida? Humidity would really be tough to deal with out of a car or truck. Not to mention.....Florida. Lots of factors including expensive, "Floridaman", and the political climate. (I'm not saying who/which side is right. I'm just saying that it's a very prevalent and divisive subject. Everyone should make their own decisions about that and not ram it into other people's faces.)



tldr: Car camping in a new 2023 Prius is no way. Toyota has downsized the interior too much. The earlier years? Yes, totally possible.

 

I am not the one to have good answers though will offer a few thoughts that came to mind. I concur with HoustonEvolution comments so far as a prius not being something to camp in plus other locations he mentions….I don’t know that area. So my thoughts…

• It seems you are making quick decisions and spending money on what could be a life altering plan(s). I suggestion you pause and regroup. Do other areas in your State or a nearby State address your needs? I would never sugggest one attempt to sleep in a prius daily every week. That is not a life I feel is good or helpful for one’s health.
  
• Florida is hot hot hot plus humidity on top. I feel like I should take a shower everything I go out to walk the dogs, early morning say 7am and 8:30pm presently. I live in tampabay area west coast of florida.
• Don’t get me start on tree pollen in florida. Started allergy shots maybe six months ago and I still have nose drip issues at times even with the weekly shots (yes I know it is a long process for the shots).
• When you say ‘rv lifestyle’ did you mean you were also planning to get a rv or travel trailer? If so that itself could be an issue as I am pretty sure any new RV will be off Gassing from the materials contained inside of the RV (if new). Chance a used RV say 5 plus years might not be an issue (google the net, it is your friend).
  
• With 30k in savings I would strongly recommend you give very careful thought to any action plan. Anything you plan will cost $ and that 30k, I feel, would disappear within a year if you have vechicle brake downs and/or rv/TT (travel trailer tow beyond) issues.
• Just tossing this out there as I do not know if it would fit your needs though maybe consider a RV Resort. Though ONLY if you find an RV (again, old enough so no off gassing still occurs and it won’t hurt either of you by sleeping in one health wise).
  For example, there are RV Resorts that have memberships. You pay a set fee for the membership that lets you stay there for X number of days a month. Then pay a very small fee daily. You can send me a PM if you want more information though honestly, not saying you want an RV setup, it is not something to jump into.
• I don’t need the answer though hoping any doctors you have seen might be able to guide you as to a healthy State to consider. I don’t think materials in a Prius are bad per say but I cannot help but feel that all cars, like RVs, will off Gas to some degree…could be mistaken.

Sorry I cannot be of more assistance.

 

welcome!
florida is not the place for people with mold sensitivities.

that being said, prius works great for climate controlled sleeping. if you are thinking used though, it's a huge risk, depending on what you can afford.

it's good that you came for help before proceeding. i wish you the best on the silverado sell back.

 

This might not be a good plan.

In Florida, mold is pretty much EVERYWHERE almost year round.
And for about 9 months of the year, it is mixed with a healthy dose of pollen too.

Then......you have made some assumptions about "indoor air" that are not
universally true. Some "buildings" are infested with mold and some are not.

You already have made one costly mistake.......which I don't fully understand.
Be careful and try not to make another one.

 

Not that I have any experience with car camping in Prius or any other cars or in an RV, or any experience living in FL, but from a very straight financial point of view, your plan just does not sound very well-thought-out plan to me.

$1,800/mo total income for two of you who may need medical attention for your mold hypersensitivity, and $30K in saving just does not sound like a lot of financial resources to go by. Plus, you have just purchased a used truck for a sales price of $58,431 ($20K down payment + $38K financed). And you are saying that you are selling it back to the dealer you bought it for an instant $13K loss (you said you get $7K back from the $20K down payment). Sure the dealer would love to buy it back from you. They can turn it around and sell it again for $58K to someone else and make a double profit from the same car.

Why not look for a house or rental where air quality is better with a very good HVAC and filtration system? A portable air purifier of good quality would cost far less than a truck or a Prius. And it is financially better manageable than a car camping nomad lifestyle from scratch.

 

I have extensive experience with the RV lifestyle. And I agree with the others, what you’re planning is s not a good idea, either financially or health wise.
The Prius is an expensive alternative to an RV and using as one (while many do it) is really going to cost more than it is worth.
Keep the SUV and buy a small inexpensive used travel trailer. You won’t loose nearly as much money as your current plans.
As far as your health goes, keep in mind only the most expensive, recently made RV’s have any ability to filter incoming air to any real extent. You could move to many areas of the country and spend a lot less and install an air purifier, have better medical coverage and be a lot less stressed by buying or renting a small older house. I know because we did it 4 years ago after living the full time RV lifestyle for 20 years.

 

I would try to find affordable housing in a city location requiring no vehicle. Just buying insurance, gas and maintenance will kill your budget. Try to find some housing in a mild climate that you can afford. Ideally a state with good healthcare for the masses. Your choices will be limited.

 

I hope you realize that Florida has extremely high humidity resulting in a significant amount of mold spores existing in the outdoor environment. I used to live there and mold is a constant issue everywhere.

 

will a face mask stop mold spores?

 

You actually need a respirator with a filter that blocks mold spores. I have a UV light on my apartment air purifier (HEPA and 18lb carbon filter). N95 mask doesn’t block mold spores. I had one on at studio today and the mold odor came right through. I’m actually wearing it to help with some mild silica dust exposure but it’s not ideal for that either.

Interesting because I’m allergic to mold but only certain types really bother me. None of it’s good for us.

 

You appear well versed with your health condition. Wonder if there might not be decated web sites that discuss these issues and likewise offer Input on best places to considering living. Seems you have already explored that is my guess. How would Helen GA sound as a place to stay? They have a memership rv park though guessing an rv is not a good option for your needs. They do offer tent camping. Don't recall if the tent camping has electric or not though even if it did that might not work for your needs. Several years ago they made the park open year round. A membership gives one I a 14 day stay. Most buy two memberships so they have 28 days. Owners sell their memberships at times on Craigslist and likewise the park does as well. I don't get up there much though like the park. Of course there is a yearly fee for each membership and that would eat into your savings though it might be an inexpensive way based on daily cost to stay there. If healthy enough maybe they would have paid part time work for you if you can do such...just a thought to off set cost. Many live in the park year round it seems due, I am guessing to the low overall daily cost.

Unicoi Springs Camp Resort

 

Sorry I don’t have an answer for you. You bought a new 2023 Prius and this happened? If there was enough gas in the tank, I don’t see how this would happen unless the new Prius no longer has this feature.

 

Another thought is a new Prius has a recommended break-in period but I don’t know what that involves. Hopefully someone will post soon.