This is the chief reason I'm considering buying a Prius. It seems such a natural decision for a wanderer.

Great video. I’ve been living in my Prius for the last SIX years and always looking for new faces to follow. Honestly, I feel like I struck gold with this lifestyle.

I’m living in one for a month now. 2010 model. traveling across US. I can tell you this is luxury compared to Van dwelling which I did 3 years. No matter what climate it is outside I just didn’t care. Sleep in comfort at night was a surprised to me and since you can have the climate control running all night and windows up it’s much quieter inside.

Recirculate is to get the temperature up to desired temp quicker. Leaving a/c recirculating may cause mold to occur. That applies to any vehicle.

Amazing!! Thank you for sharing

I'm proud at #toyota for caring for its costumers ❤

You are awesome! Thanks for the great video

This is so amazing-- thanks for demonstrating the unique benefits of a hybrid for car campers! Ive been reading online that the Prius Prime-- being a PHEV, has a significantly larger battery (13kw) which allows the climate control (ac/heat) to stay on with the battery for many hours (6.5hrs) before the engine turns on to recharge it! Just wanted to share-- what are ur thoughts?🎉🎉

The Road goes on Forever..... Good rundown!

Best explanation I have seen. Thank you.

Excellent series! I really need to try this if I ever take a solo trip away from the fam. My Prius Prime has a higher trunk floor due to the larger battery pack, but I bet I could still make it work. I noted your piano back trim looks like mine did until I bought a couple small microfiber car clothes. Just wipe down the whole dash with a dry one and it'll look like new again! (88¢ in Walmart's auto section for a 2pk).

This has been around for over a decade and I never heard of it on any of the van life channels. This seems like a game changer. Comfort > space

We own a Toyota Alphard Hybrid van (sort of a luxury minivan with reclining captain seats, ottoman, etc) and while we were on our way home from a trip, a massive storm hit which prompted the port to stop ferry rides to our destination. We had to stay inside our Alphard for-as far as I can recall-around 53 hours or so... Honestly speaking it was a scary experience witnessing all the chaos going on outside the van while the storm hit but the next day, we felt thankful that we used that instead of our SUV since the Alphard was so much more comfortable, quiet, and efficient. The engine only ran for a few minutes every hour with the AC on and it was a dream sleeping inside because even with the engine on you hardly hear it due to the insane noise insulation. The built in entertainment system with TV tuner kept us up to date with the news despite the loss of cellular reception and data, we were able to plug in our laptops to watch movies as well. We took baths at a nearby gas station and throughout the whole ordeal (the vehicle was on 24/7) our driver was so impressed because in a span of 53 hours he estimated that the Alphard consumed roughly 13-16 litres of gas. Yes, with the AC and various electronics plugged into the power outlet (including a Makita cooler) 24/7. Needless to say, my Dad was really impressed when I told him about it the moment we arrived. If you guys plan on doing camping and stuff without sacrificing space and comfort (albeit a bit less efficient in terms of mileage) then the Toyota Alphard is the way to go. I wouldn’t mind getting stuck in the middle of nowhere as long as I’m inside this awesome minivan, it’s like riding a business class flight for a few days lol-fun and comfortable.

Got a prius 3 and it's so spacious and amazing mileage plus camping.

Great video Prius rule !

Good video. I have the 07 prius so a little older. I'm thinking about car living in sf and having a go at it. Worst thing is I drive home knowing I gave it a shot. I could probably double my income

Thanks for sharing

I cannot wait to see the tour of your car, when ur fulltiming in it. With all your stuff in there already😁

Great share thnx u

Looking forward to seeing an actual video of spending the night in a Prius using climate control. Going to subscribe to this channel hoping for such a video.

Awesome show us the tour!:,-)🚗

I just picked up my second Prius and have an answer for your mystery about the recirculation mode turning off. I am pretty sure it starts in the off mode by default like the A/C button. Those settings can be changed with the Carista app. I just used it to turn off the constant beeping when in reverse and to turn off the seat belt chime for both front seats. It does require a bluetooth or wifi OBDII dongle.

I have the smallest Prius (the C) so don’t get quite as many mpg or have as much space, but it’s definitely still nice traveling and camping. I’m going to try to keep track of how much gas it uses overnight on my next trip, but it’s definitely very little. I never worry about it. I like to blast my air really cold all day until I settle down for the night. I raise the temp to 76-78 after sundown. I also have battery-powered fans that last 8 hours on high (~16 on low), so sometimes it gets too cold. When it’s below 75 outdoors, I usually use the fans alone.

I hope you are doing well through this pandemic...

RAV4 hybrids , or Prius V ,will be the next ride I get. I want to hack it pop-up roof installed ,want to make it where I can hang a hammock inside.

If you leave recirculate on all the time you’re gonna have a lot of moisture buildup in the car and you might start getting some olden places. I have a suburban and I had to use recirculate because the car is so big to heat or cool so I was researching that and heard that. They said at the end of your drive maybe the last few minutes or 10 minutes of your drive have your windows open or turn it to vent to get that moisture out. So I thought I would apply that to my brand new Prius! Can’t wait to hit the road first night sleeping in it last night can’t wait to get a mattress LOL

Just bought the 2019 AWD prius. Can't wait to use it for camping soon. Thanks for the info on the climate control!

Thanks for the video. RECIRC: it turns off most likely to protect the windows, most importantly the windshield, from fogging up, which will happen at certain combinations of temperature and humidty IF the A/C is OFF. If the A/C is ON, the A/C will keep the air dry and prevent fogging. It's a safety issue to protect folks who don't understand that temp/humidity principle, who might then have an accident because the windshield fogs up (abd reduces visibility), and then sues the manufacturer for having a "defecting" defrost/defog system. And it's no problem to keep the A/C ON, because the Prius has a "variable" compressor and only uses it as much as needed, form zero to 100%, depending on the temperature setting as compared to the outside. GAS USED: A non-hybrid car will use about .25 to .35 gallons per hour when idling. So over 8 hours, that's a total of 2-3 gallons (they won't run out of gas if they are prepared for those numbers), as compared to the Prius, which uses less than a half gallon over those same 8 hours, depending on climate control settings of course, etc.

Nice saving tip..

Good video

Does it switch bc of eco. I think circulation uses more energy. Since eco is on it switches back to vent.

Cool set up! 👍🏼 i am about to buy a used Prius and travel in it. Torn btwn a gen 3 model 2011-2015 or a gen 4 model like you have either 2016-2017. I love the fact that you can climate control in the prius. I see so many vanlifers spending tons of money on insulation and still freezing in the winter or melting in the summer. That is so great about the prius! The only other thing i think i want in the used prius model i buy are the imitation leather seats. They just seem like they’d be easier to keep clean...especially if living in your prius.

Just want to say thank you for your series on the climate system. Is the Facebook Prius camping group THE place to go for detailed info?

Love this video. Was thinking of going van life. But lately I've been watching living Prius. The the gas is convince me to get a Prius. What is width and length dimension to sleep in the back?

Thanks for the video! They say the Toyota van will be hybrid in 2021. Would u buy that???

Great info! Do you happen to know about "climate control" in a Hybrid Pacifica? Might you compare/contrast? Brand new & tying to decide- quick! PS- the Pacific is claiming 84 mpg highway- different Prius videos mention 50- any insights would help.

Have you heard anything about inverters of the hybrid system wearing out faster due to frequent camping and use of climate sys off the hybrid battery?

In my 2015 Prius Plug-in, the engine comes on for about 1 minute, then stays off for about 9, then repeats, depending on climate settings (15-20 degree difference - when COOLING). If the outside and inside temp are close, ithe gas engine will run much less, and vice-versa. I'n not sure about HEAT, as I haven't tried that yet.

Can I do this with any hybrid car from other brands?

How do you lock the doors from inside. Manually? I think using the fob from inside the car leaves the drivers door unlocked but I’m not sure about that. Your thoughts?

Hi great video! I just want to verify that you can have the Prius on in ready mode with AC running all day over 8 hours without it getting over heated or the engine auto shutting down by itself??? I heard that in the the 2020 rav4 hybrid, the engine cuts off in one hour automatically? I m thinking about buying the Prius just because you can run the ac all day/night! Because I’ll be sleeping in my car in hot Florida weather. Stay safe. Thanks.

Little of topic, but how complicated Is it to install a electric converter/power inverter in this modern prius with the 12v battery under the hood?

I recently got a 2012 Prius V and I’m about to go on my first car camping trip but one thing I’ve noticed is that I am having a difficult time being stealthy about it because I will turn the headlights off or I will adjust my lights, and for some reason even if my headlights are off, it seems like there is some light that is still on the whole time. Does anybody know how to fix that or am I just not adjusting my lights appropriately?

Typically it turns to vent to cool itself off :)

Does cool AC work when car is stationary???? Or you have to be in motion? It appears that the air coming out of my Prius 2009 AC os cool only when I actually drive

Do you have a curtain behind the drivers seat? What are the measurements? Width and height?

So just to clarify the car is fully on the whole time? (Pressing the break and starting the car, not just the start button alone?)

Does the generator activate when the car is off? Can he engine start when you are not in the Prius, etc.?

Do you need to change the battery in your key fob more often since it’s always in communication with the car? That’s one of the main reasons not to leave the key in the car when it’s not in use as the battery is in constant communication with the car if it’s within a certain distance of the car.

Does this car have daytime running lights? If so is there a way you can turn them off while sleeping at night?

Do the headlights and taillights come on when the engine turns on to recharge the battery? 🤔 Also, I would love to hear your opinion on the 2023 or 2024 Prius and whether it has any drawbacks like loss of features compared to your Prius model. You seem to have common sense combined with being down to earth - really cool person 😄

How does your Prius drive up and down mountains? I really want one but I was reading that Prius isn’t the best car to take in the mountains. How do you drive in the mountains?

Thats wat im looking for

this button means that the air is circulating inside your vehicle without entering new air. in other words, if something stinks outside you won't feel it inside (if the button is turned on)

Tried this last night but the car would turn off completely after a while? not sure why

Does it wake you up when it turns on? wonder how often it would turn on if you set to 70F and it's 80F outside. Shame the front passenger seat does not fold flat. How much space from back of passenger seat to the very back.

Question can you only do this with a prius ? or will it work with the kia hybrid ?

I also made a video about this, I didn't know there was another video on KZfaq about it

Heard the Lexus CT200h has the same engine. Curious to know if the climate control works the same....

I have seen some Prius dwellers having a co2 alarm because of the risk of the monoxide build up with all the windows up, can you tell me where you found there's no risk of that? I was under the impression it was safe but now im questioning, thank you for your sharing!

Doez this work with 2010 prius? Or is it only newer models?

How do you turn your fob off to make sure it don't drain your battery

The 2001-2003 Prius models don't have electric A/C compressors. The compressor is driven by the engine.

I tried that and it killed the 12v battery. Gas engine never kicked on.

What do you do with the head lights on??

I was looking at a 2017 today and where the hatch meets the folded over back seats there is about a 4-6 inch difference. In other words, it didn't lay flat. What do you do about that or do you just sleep in the back seat? I didn't see the how to sleep in a Prius video haha

thanks från sweden......

What's the fuel consumption for A/C?

Great job. You seem like a lovely young lady. I was just wondering what the "Econ Heat/Cool" button did?

Do you use the "AUTO" feature when you're talking about using the climate control? With Auto feature on it keeps the temp adjusted accordingly. The fan speed will increase or decrease depending on the temp it's trying to keep the vehicle.

So I can do this in my 2013 Prius??

My 2021 only stays powered on half hour to an hour. I can't live in it for that reason. Can someone give me a shout out and let me know if only the older Priuses stay on continuously with climate control? I am so frustrated.

I haven’t noticed that it switches to vent except when you turn it on defrost.

Whats the version/model of your prius? I only know it's 2016

Because the humid go up & u need to keep the windows from fogging up when ur driving.

When you are inside the car and have the car turned on during the night, how do you prevent someone from just touching the sensor on handle bar (hoping that the car can be opened like that) from outside and opening the car? Since the car key is inside the car, I assume car naturally thinks that its ok to open the doors?

What does the P mean is happening when the light is green?

Please help. Why I can not let my 2021 prius running all night? My car will stop completely after about 45-50 minutes so I have to restart or put on ready mode again several times per night The engine dis started up afew times as well but why it will not goes on after less than an hour

How long will a Prius battery hold out living in it (long term)?

Do all models and years of Prius allow the climate control to start the engine? Are any model years better for camping than others?

You have to set auto and not mess with the fan setting. Or it won’t be automatic anymore .

Next time you deal with cold use electric blanket or a heating pad. You will be plenty warm enough to sleep . When you wake up run heater. I think the Prius detected the amount of moisture in the air and seeks the least wet air to protect the computers. I did 2 weeks in the 2017 RTR I had pretty much same experience but not as good mpg each new model Prius gets more roomy and economical.

What about using auto mode? Does it consume energy more?

Do any Prius models before 2011 get climate control like this?

How do you lock the doors when you are inside with the key?

Can you leave a Prius on all night if you go camping??

Is this for all prius or plug in only?

How do u change your cloths in the prous?

can you do this in any hybrid?

Wow..

I did not go either! Maybe next year😁

THIS NEWS IS LESS THAN 24 HOURS OLD. Toyota is going to be selling a van called TJ cruiser will be sold in hybrid ,odds are that will be the vehicle I wind up buying eventually. That vehicle will be customized making two passenger RV it will be the world's most efficient practical camper for stealth and boondocking.

do you know if this is same climate control ability in Toyota RAV4 hybrids or Highlander hybrids,too ?

I’m confused. You talked about the danger of gas and climate control camping and using the battery but then mention it uses gas overnight. So wouldn’t that be dangerous? I watched a video of the Prius Prime which uses half the battery of overnight climate camping.

90s hot? Lol. I live in az. 115 degrres brutal. Not sure if u can live in a prius at that temp?

I think this way will destroy the battery faster. If you want camping with a Prius, you should buy a prime Prius.

What about maintenance and insurance costs?

thanks for this information. It is very helpful. When you say you turn on your car for climate control, do you mean you turn it on completely so you hear the engine kick in?? 🤔

How did you determine you only used 1/2 gallon of gas ?

Cracking a window is smart not paranoid so you don’t become a victim of the silent killer poisoning.