2018 Prius Four Camper

alanclarkeau · Nov 6, 2019

ice9 said: ↑

Well, you know the big thing about the gen 4 is the cargo area step-up to the rear seat. You need an insert to level the sleeping area. For my gen4, the lohikaarme's spare tire undelete kit accomplishes this without the insert. The added spare donut, plus the gen3 cargo deck storage boxes, levels out the area effectively enough, so that all you need is a gymnastics or thermal pad to cover rear seat flap.

"Hotel Prius" doesn't address this because the gen2 doesn't have a step. However, what it DOES provide is one of the most important things that people often overlook - the "Camper" concept itself: You absolutely HAVE to be organized and develop efficient routines to be successful at it. That's where I failed in my first attempt at a Prius Camper. I didn't have enough time to perform dry runs with the camper before I had to leave for the eclipse, and I hadn't efficiently organized the camper...

...It's hard to explain. For those who have never experienced it - if you ever try camping without the right equipment (or without knowing how to use it) you will understand very quickly. Practice doing it before you try to do the real thing, and you will save yourself a lot of misery. Lessons learned.
Click to expand...

I haven't done it since the '70s when we had a VW Microbus which I constructed a Camper Conversion which I could take in and out easily (if ½ a day is "easily"). But yes, after the first short trip we came up with a few modifications we needed for the next - and by the time we sold it, it was perfected!!!

ice9 · Nov 7, 2019

Yes. Once you figure out how to prepare for it, it's easy. And once you are "off-the-grid", necessity make you proficient at it.

When I first attempted to put together a camper, I already knew how to prepare for it from years of hiking and rock climbing... ...I just didn't know how to pack it all into a Prius.

Lana M Lorenzen · Feb 6, 2020

ice9 said: ↑

Well, you know the big thing about the gen 4 is the cargo area step-up to the rear seat. You need an insert to level the sleeping area. For my gen4, the lohikaarme's spare tire undelete kit accomplishes this without the insert. The added spare donut, plus the gen3 cargo deck storage boxes, levels out the area effectively enough, so that all you need is a gymnastics or thermal pad to cover rear seat flap.

"Hotel Prius" doesn't address this because the gen2 doesn't have a step. However, what it DOES provide is one of the most important things that people often overlook - the "Camper" concept itself: You absolutely HAVE to be organized and develop efficient routines to be successful at it. That's where I failed in my first attempt at a Prius Camper. I didn't have enough time to perform dry runs with the camper before I had to leave for the eclipse, and I hadn't efficiently organized the camper...

...It's hard to explain. For those who have never experienced it - if you ever try camping without the right equipment (or without knowing how to use it) you will understand very quickly. Practice doing it before you try to do the real thing, and you will save yourself a lot of misery. Lessons learned.
Click to expand...

Wow! I'm a 68-year-old woman about to take the plunge by spending my Golden Years living in a 2016 Prius. This has all been so helpful; I can't describe my gratitude to you all. Perhaps this is the wrong spot, but...thank you! I'm based in St. George, UT among the most beautiful scenery and geographical formations in the world and just want to spend a few years traveling the Four Corners states. Lana

ice9 · May 2, 2020

My latest camper addition: Trek Marlin 7.

21priuseco · Jul 20, 2024

ice9 said: ↑

Well, you know the big thing about the gen 4 is the cargo area step-up to the rear seat. You need an insert to level the sleeping area. For my gen4, the lohikaarme's spare tire undelete kit accomplishes this without the insert. The added spare donut, plus the gen3 cargo deck storage boxes, levels out the area effectively enough, so that all you need is a gymnastics or thermal pad to cover rear seat flap.

"Hotel Prius" doesn't address this because the gen2 doesn't have a step. However, what it DOES provide is one of the most important things that people often overlook - the "Camper " concept itself: You absolutely HAVE to be organized and develop efficient routines to be successful at it. That's where I failed in my first attempt at a Prius Camper. I didn't have enough time to perform dry runs with the camper before I had to leave for the eclipse, and I hadn't efficiently organized the camper...

...It's hard to explain. For those who have never experienced it - if you ever try camping without the right equipment (or without knowing how to use it) you will understand very quickly. Practice doing it before you try to do the real thing, and you will save yourself a lot of misery. Lessons learned.
Click to expand...

The Gen4 Prius Eco has a 3" drop. Rather than add styrofoam or other materials that would take up space I used 6 plastic storage bins (Amazon) that are 3" high and filled them with whatever I was taking with me.
(IRIS USA Plastic Storage Bins)

ice9 said: ↑

Well, you know the big thing about the gen 4 is the cargo area step-up to the rear seat. You need an insert to level the sleeping area. For my gen4, the lohikaarme's spare tire undelete kit accomplishes this without the insert. The added spare donut, plus the gen3 cargo deck storage boxes, levels out the area effectively enough, so that all you need is a gymnastics or thermal pad to cover rear seat flap.

"Hotel Prius" doesn't address this because the gen2 doesn't have a step. However, what it DOES provide is one of the most important things that people often overlook - the "Camper" concept itself: You absolutely HAVE to be organized and develop efficient routines to be successful at it. That's where I failed in my first attempt at a Prius Camper. I didn't have enough time to perform dry runs with the camper before I had to leave for the eclipse, and I hadn't efficiently organized the camper...

...It's hard to explain. For those who have never experienced it - if you ever try camping without the right equipment (or without knowing how to use it) you will understand very quickly. Practice doing it before you try to do the real thing, and you will save yourself a lot of misery. Lessons learned.
Click to expand...

The Gen 4 Prius Eco has the 3" drop. I used 3" shallow plastic containers to raise the rear so any bed could be level.

2018 Prius Four Camper

alanclarkeau Senior Member

ice9 Active Member

Lana M Lorenzen Junior Member

ice9 Active Member

21priuseco New Member

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2018 Prius Four Camper

alanclarkeau Senior Member

ice9 Active Member

Lana M Lorenzen Junior Member

ice9 Active Member

21priuseco New Member

Attached Files:

totes.jpg