2023 Prius as a work car need a lift in the rear.

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by BenzYoc, Sep 24, 2023.

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  1. BenzYoc

    BenzYoc New Member

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    We got a 2023 Prius AWD as a new work vehicle.The rear will have a hitch with a box that weighs about 85-95lbs. Both the box and hitch will weigh about 130lbs. When we added 130lbs to the rear the back sags about 3/4 of a inch.

    What options do we have to stop the sagging in the rear?The Prius will have the box attached for its entire life.

    Unfortunately we do not have a hitch yet they are not available until mid November.
     
    #1 BenzYoc, Sep 24, 2023
  2. lohikaarme

    lohikaarme Active Member

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    Maybe I am remembering incorrectly but doesn't the manual say no hitch?
     
    #2 lohikaarme, Sep 25, 2023
  3. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    The warning is about towing a trailer. A trailer hitch for a bike rack or bicycle carrier is obviously OK.
     
    #3 Georgina Rudkus, Sep 25, 2023
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Still, an installed hitch may be problematic if you’re ever making a warranty claim: hard to prove you didn’t tow an enormous boat, day in, day out. And knowing Toyota, I suspect they’d say even something like a wiper motor or door lock mechanism was effected by towing, lol.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Sep 25, 2023
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  5. BenzYoc

    BenzYoc New Member

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    The hitch will only be for a tote. It will never "tow" anything. The weight of the tote is 130lbs including the hitch.
     
    #5 BenzYoc, Sep 25, 2023
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  6. BenzYoc

    BenzYoc New Member

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    aluminum tool box 28 lbs
    tote 35lbs- I can lighten this a little bit.
    hitch-35lbs
    Contents of tool box- 20-30 lbs.
    total-no more than 130lbs.

    I was considering removing the back seats to save weight on the rear.
     
    #6 BenzYoc, Sep 25, 2023
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  7. PhoS

    PhoS Active Member

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    You're going to need a custom spring or airbag to make that work.
     
    #7 PhoS, Sep 25, 2023
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  8. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Even with the long lever arm, with no passengers in the back seat. the car should be fine as is.
     
    #8 Georgina Rudkus, Sep 25, 2023
  9. HacksawMark

    HacksawMark Active Member

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    Wouldn't folding the rear seats down give you enough space for hauling your gear?
     
    #9 HacksawMark, Sep 26, 2023
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  10. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    These fit turd gems (3rd gens). Measure to see if same for yours


    FIRESTONE 4136 Suspension Leveling Kit https://a.co/d/7fQB1kS
     
    #10 douglasjre, Sep 26, 2023
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  11. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Take the back seats out and put a piece of plywood. You'll have more cargo room. You'll be able to keep your load out of the weather and keep it from rocking as well. You don't want that much weight that far behind the rear wheels it can make the tail wag and you'll lose control the vehicle.
     
    #11 douglasjre, Sep 26, 2023
  12. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Is there some GOOD reason that your tools and supplies can't go
    into THAT space, instead of screwing around with the rear mount ??
     
    #12 sam spade 2, Sep 26, 2023
  13. Jim Stoll

    Jim Stoll Member

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    #13 Jim Stoll, Sep 27, 2023
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  14. BenzYoc

    BenzYoc New Member

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    I wanted to update this posting. The car is going to be used for pest control. I scrapped the box idea and got approval to make a partition. It needs to have a air tight partition separating the passengers from any chemical storage.

    Its not prefect but its air tight and I added a vent. What i did was slightly modify the Styrofoam and add a layer of 3/4 inch plywood below the rubber prius mat.. For the "wall" I used 1/2 plywood with a moisture barrier than used silicone and foam to fill gaps. We could have trimmed the foam to give it a cleaner look but it wasn't need.

    I tested the barrier with compressed air and sealed a few open areas. After my first test run working with the car I got 47mpg. Thats up from 17mpg using my full size work truck. Next time ill drive nice ill be over 50mpg.

    Thanks for all the ideas and help.


    IMG_9462.jpg IMG_9524.jpg
     
    #14 BenzYoc, Oct 15, 2023
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  15. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    There ar cabin exit vents that go to the rear quarter panels through the entire car from the hvac system. You will have to vent the cabin in some way before the partition to prevent back pressure in the cabin.
     
    #15 Georgina Rudkus, Oct 15, 2023
  16. BenzYoc

    BenzYoc New Member

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    Impossible to tell from the pics but I actually cut the rear fabric/paneling right along the partition to bear metal and used 4 inches of foam. Basically The rear it totally independent of the cabin. I even pulled back the head liner and added a barrier to be extra safe.

    The hardest part has been the seat belts for the back seats. But i figured it out.
     
    #16 BenzYoc, Oct 15, 2023
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