Hi gang, Merry Christmas! For the Third year in a row I'm visiting my parents while my wife and kids are back in NY. Too much chaos for my parents if everyone came down here for the holidays so I did a solo run Tuesday after work.
I must be getting older as I used to be able to do drives like that with No issues. This trip I was definitely struggling towards the end of the 450 miles. I am going to be making similar trips every couple of weeks this coming year, so I need to come up with a safer solution than cat naps at rest areas in the driver's seat.
My first thought is to build a sleeper trailer, foamie style. Keep it ultralight on a harbor freight trailer, get a hitch on the Prius & away I go. I'm loathe to stress the refreshed drivetrain of the car though... So I'm going to make that plan C.
On a side note the Prius is running like a champ after getting a remanufactured hybrid Battery put in, and I'm having a ball with it... Getting 45 mpg on average without trying hard. I've got 175,000 miles on it & want to keep it going as long as I can.
Plan A would be to build the sleeper trailer & tow it with the Escape, but... I doubt the wife will swap vehicles with me that often.
Plan B is for me to build a bed platform so I can stretch out en route in select rest areas on my way south. I'll pick up a memory foam topper & use that for the bed. I just have to get some plywood & a bit of Yankee ingenuity & I'll be all set.
I'll take some measurements & see what I can fab up in the next couple of weeks.