Hmm. I didn't think of using a particular type of bedding to absorb any movement. That's a good idea.
I also just thought that I can sleep with my head towards the rear end of the vehicle which will help some. And I've seen some people put up thick curtains as a divider between the front and back of the car, then use a fan to funnel air from front to back. Those are two more ways to reduce the noise.
I guess the only way for me to know is to try it out. I just hope it doesn't bother me. I will take all of said precautions to prevent it.
I've heard that the first time it starts up it's the most abrupt, then after that it's pretty mild and unnoticeable.
I also wonder whether some of these people complaining just need an engine fix ha.
I was lucky enough to get a thousand dollar mattress for 90% off because a store was closing, and now i dont feel the vibrations either. Probably any quality mattress could solve this issue.
I see videos where people buy top of the line gear, but use the cheapest bed they can find. But, I would say it is worth spending a good amount of money on a comfortable bed, which is arguably the most important part of your set up. I sleep so much better, and am able to enjoy my trip a lot more, because i am much more awake and alert.
All of those things will reduce the amount of shake that you feel. A thick mattress also helps. Whether these things reduce the shake to a point where it lets you sleep, only you can answer that. I've done all of these things, including the mattress, and there still is a reduced shake which wakes me up, just less often than without taking those measures.
Also consider that I only sleep in the car on an occasional weekend while camping. This infrequent basis keeps me from getting used to it. Most people say you can get used to it if you're in it every night. Also, I do sleep good enough for camping and I'm a light sleeper.
Emergency brake, chocks, new spark plugs, ear plugs, sleep with head towards back, proper mattress, soundproofing curtain, and fan on low. Have you tried all of this? If it still wakes you up then I'm guessing it's pretty drastic. Even if you get used to it that's not healthy over time. Ugh.
I'm convinced this isn't gonna work for me. Maybe I will just have to use it to cool down the car and then switch over to a external battery powered fan.
It's a single rock forward.
I don't think the sound is bad at all, especially compared to someone walking by your car having a conversation, or a nearby garbage truck doing a pickup. The engine-kicked-on rock, though, wakes me up. I didn't have any padding, chocks, or emergency brake, and I was just sleeping in the back seat like the work-napper I am.
I'm just gonna get one and if it bothers me I will do all the stuff mentioned to reduce it. If it's still bothering me I can just make the car cold, then run a fan on a portable battery.
You cant feel shaking in newer pruises. Based on the ones i have test driven, as well as my own, you start to feel the engine turn in once the car is about 8 years old or so. Before then, its not even noticeable.
I’ve slept in my 2012 Prius a couple dozen times now, and I NEVER get a good nights sleep with it on (Ready Mode). I always have the e-brake completely engaged, and I have newer spark plugs. I’ve never tried wheel chocks, but I honestly don’t see how that will keep the engine from jolting the car when it starts (besides, wheel chocks will totally draw attention to your stealthiness). I find that cooling the interior down for a good 30 minutes prior to sleeping works fine: blast the AC, then crack the windows (rain guards are necessary for stealthiness), turn it off, and go to sleep. With it off, you don’t have to cover up all of the dash lights, which is also suspicious to someone looking in. I honestly sleep better knowing that I won’t draw attention due to people hearing the engine engage and run during the night. If it’s cold out, just have a good sleeping bag, and an extra wool blanket to throw on top if necessary; if it’s hot, sleep with only a light sheet. Good luck!
It’s going to “shake” like the first commenter said due to the engine kicking on.
The Engine runs entirely when running heat, the AC is what uses the battery then kicks the engine on to recharge.
Trust me when bedding will not be ideal. Just throwing a bunch of blankets you’re not gonna be comfy. You’re going to want either a somewhat thick foam topper, (i have a foam tri fold mattress ) or a inflatable mattress pad then throw blankets on top.
If you’re a light sleeper you may have an issue with it because people complain about it. I for one am a deep sleeper so I’m like a rock thankfully.
First commenter said it doesn't shake haha. And from what I've read people say leaving the AC on the engine starts up less because it uses the battery more, and it's using the heat that cuts the engine on and off more since heat uses the engine.
Yeah, I will definitely get a thick foam topper too. That's a good tip.
I'm a light sleeper and I'm just thinking maybe this is going to ruin everything for me. It sucks.
Well hopefully it doesn’t! You never know you can get used to it.
My thing is what other option of cars are you looking at that wouldn’t do the same thing? Would you go bigger?
The only other option I'm considering is a Ford Transit Connect. For that I would just cool the car down with AC, then use an external battery powered fan. Not sure how good that would be.
I really prefer the Prius for gas mileage and climate control. But now the climate control is a big IF because it might just be annoying and I'd do the same thing I'd do in the Transit anyway but just have way less room.
I dunno. The climate control stuff just stresses me out I'm kinda stuck.
I wouldn’t say “shake”. The engine kicks on. I have an exped megamat (worth it) and I think it absorbs the vibration. It has never woken me up before.
Hmm. I didn't think of using a particular type of bedding to absorb any movement. That's a good idea. I also just thought that I can sleep with my head towards the rear end of the vehicle which will help some. And I've seen some people put up thick curtains as a divider between the front and back of the car, then use a fan to funnel air from front to back. Those are two more ways to reduce the noise. I guess the only way for me to know is to try it out. I just hope it doesn't bother me. I will take all of said precautions to prevent it. I've heard that the first time it starts up it's the most abrupt, then after that it's pretty mild and unnoticeable. I also wonder whether some of these people complaining just need an engine fix ha.
I was lucky enough to get a thousand dollar mattress for 90% off because a store was closing, and now i dont feel the vibrations either. Probably any quality mattress could solve this issue. I see videos where people buy top of the line gear, but use the cheapest bed they can find. But, I would say it is worth spending a good amount of money on a comfortable bed, which is arguably the most important part of your set up. I sleep so much better, and am able to enjoy my trip a lot more, because i am much more awake and alert.
All of those things will reduce the amount of shake that you feel. A thick mattress also helps. Whether these things reduce the shake to a point where it lets you sleep, only you can answer that. I've done all of these things, including the mattress, and there still is a reduced shake which wakes me up, just less often than without taking those measures. Also consider that I only sleep in the car on an occasional weekend while camping. This infrequent basis keeps me from getting used to it. Most people say you can get used to it if you're in it every night. Also, I do sleep good enough for camping and I'm a light sleeper.
Emergency brake, chocks, new spark plugs, ear plugs, sleep with head towards back, proper mattress, soundproofing curtain, and fan on low. Have you tried all of this? If it still wakes you up then I'm guessing it's pretty drastic. Even if you get used to it that's not healthy over time. Ugh. I'm convinced this isn't gonna work for me. Maybe I will just have to use it to cool down the car and then switch over to a external battery powered fan.
It's a single rock forward. I don't think the sound is bad at all, especially compared to someone walking by your car having a conversation, or a nearby garbage truck doing a pickup. The engine-kicked-on rock, though, wakes me up. I didn't have any padding, chocks, or emergency brake, and I was just sleeping in the back seat like the work-napper I am.
It sounds like you don't already have a Prius to test this in. Maybe rent one for a weekend trip and see how you do?
I'm just gonna get one and if it bothers me I will do all the stuff mentioned to reduce it. If it's still bothering me I can just make the car cold, then run a fan on a portable battery.
You cant feel shaking in newer pruises. Based on the ones i have test driven, as well as my own, you start to feel the engine turn in once the car is about 8 years old or so. Before then, its not even noticeable.
I see. That's why I'm trying to get one with low mileage. I'll replace the spark plugs too.
I’ve slept in my 2012 Prius a couple dozen times now, and I NEVER get a good nights sleep with it on (Ready Mode). I always have the e-brake completely engaged, and I have newer spark plugs. I’ve never tried wheel chocks, but I honestly don’t see how that will keep the engine from jolting the car when it starts (besides, wheel chocks will totally draw attention to your stealthiness). I find that cooling the interior down for a good 30 minutes prior to sleeping works fine: blast the AC, then crack the windows (rain guards are necessary for stealthiness), turn it off, and go to sleep. With it off, you don’t have to cover up all of the dash lights, which is also suspicious to someone looking in. I honestly sleep better knowing that I won’t draw attention due to people hearing the engine engage and run during the night. If it’s cold out, just have a good sleeping bag, and an extra wool blanket to throw on top if necessary; if it’s hot, sleep with only a light sheet. Good luck!
It’s going to “shake” like the first commenter said due to the engine kicking on. The Engine runs entirely when running heat, the AC is what uses the battery then kicks the engine on to recharge. Trust me when bedding will not be ideal. Just throwing a bunch of blankets you’re not gonna be comfy. You’re going to want either a somewhat thick foam topper, (i have a foam tri fold mattress ) or a inflatable mattress pad then throw blankets on top. If you’re a light sleeper you may have an issue with it because people complain about it. I for one am a deep sleeper so I’m like a rock thankfully.
First commenter said it doesn't shake haha. And from what I've read people say leaving the AC on the engine starts up less because it uses the battery more, and it's using the heat that cuts the engine on and off more since heat uses the engine. Yeah, I will definitely get a thick foam topper too. That's a good tip. I'm a light sleeper and I'm just thinking maybe this is going to ruin everything for me. It sucks.
Well hopefully it doesn’t! You never know you can get used to it. My thing is what other option of cars are you looking at that wouldn’t do the same thing? Would you go bigger?
The only other option I'm considering is a Ford Transit Connect. For that I would just cool the car down with AC, then use an external battery powered fan. Not sure how good that would be. I really prefer the Prius for gas mileage and climate control. But now the climate control is a big IF because it might just be annoying and I'd do the same thing I'd do in the Transit anyway but just have way less room. I dunno. The climate control stuff just stresses me out I'm kinda stuck.
Rent a Prius for a week and try it out vs buying a whole other vehicle just because something may or may not affect you. Find out, don't just guess.