The Prius isn’t precisely the primary car that involves thoughts for overlanding. However one California-based entrepreneur has constructed a whole enterprise proving it may maintain its personal on the dust.
A Prius That Can Deal with the Backcountry
When most individuals image an overlanding rig, they’re pondering lifted vans, locking differentials, and beefy all-terrain tires. A Toyota Prius isn’t one thing you’d count on to see in that crowd, however in overlanding and off-road communities on-line, a rising variety of Prius homeowners are pushing again on that assumption. Quite a few persons are putting in raise kits, roof racks, skid plates, and light-weight bars, and driving their hybrids into locations you wouldn’t anticipate finding them.
On the middle of that area of interest is Eric, founding father of Prius Offroad, a one-man operation based mostly close to Chico, California, that designs and sells off-road elements particularly for second via fifth-generation Prius fashions, the Prius V, Prius C, and 2009–2026 Corollas.
How a Divorce and a Lengthy Commute Constructed a Enterprise
Eric didn’t begin out as a Prius man. Earlier than his first hybrid, he was driving an Audi S6 and a Cummins-powered Dodge truck on 40-inch tires. However after a divorce left his then-six-month-old son residing 400 miles north in Chico, Eric wanted a car that would deal with 1,000-mile weekends with out bleeding him dry on the pump and will double as a spot to sleep.
“I began wanting round and went, ‘Gosh, you already know, I hate to confess it, however a Prius type of is smart,’” Eric mentioned. “I get nice gasoline economic system, they usually drive properly, and I can fold the seats down, and within the summers, I can have air-con operating all night time, and I can survive that.”
He additionally used the Prius to journey throughout the Western U.S. for base leaping — which meant sometimes needing to cowl 15 miles of tough dust street to achieve a trailhead after 2,000 miles of freeway. Reasonably than commerce the Prius for one thing with extra floor clearance, Eric drew on his background constructing pre-runners for the Baja 1000 and fabricated his personal raise package.
“I simply utilized that information and constructed myself slightly raise package,” he mentioned.
The modified Prius turned heads in all places he drove it. Gasoline station stops become conversations. Notes appeared on his windshield. Folks flagged him down on the freeway.
“I type of thought individuals have been making enjoyable of me at first,” Eric mentioned. Inside six months, he had collected 40 telephone numbers from individuals asking him to construct them one.
The 1.5-Inch Candy Spot
Eric’s raise kits elevate journey peak by 1.5 inches utilizing suspension spacers put in on the prime of every coilover shock. He didn’t come by that quantity arbitrarily.
“I hit the drafting board with a number of raise designs, and I began with a three-inch raise, and I used to be like, ‘That appears ridiculous.’ And it’s placing method an excessive amount of pressure on all of the suspension parts,” Eric mentioned. He examined a two-inch raise subsequent, however wasn’t comfy with it both. “My principle is, if I wouldn’t put my son within the automobile with it, why would I promote it to clients to place their youngsters in it?”
He usually turns down requests for taller lifts. “I can, however I gained’t,” he mentioned. “I’ve to have the ability to look myself within the mirror every day and be pleased with the person who I’m, and I wouldn’t really feel good simply taking cash to place different individuals’s lives in danger.”
Curiously, some clients have reported a slight improve in gasoline economic system after putting in the raise. Eric attributes it to smoother momentum on the town somewhat than any aerodynamic change. The caveat: swap to all-terrain tires, and people beneficial properties disappear quick.
“For each pound you improve tire weight, you basically lose a mile per gallon,” Eric defined. “Going from a low rolling resistance tire to an all-terrain tire, you’re going to realize virtually 10 kilos. You’re going to lose 10 miles per gallon.”
Who’s Really Shopping for Prius Off-Highway Kits?
The client base isn’t a bunch of hardcore rock crawlers. Based on Eric, most consumers are outside lovers who simply want their Prius to clear a rutted forest street or a rocky campsite strategy.
“The largest factor for me is the individuals which might be like, ‘I need to get outdoors and revel in what’s in my yard, however I would like one thing that may get me to the trailhead, and my Prius isn’t reducing it, and I can’t actually afford to purchase an SUV,’” he mentioned. “I’m all about making do with what you’ve obtained.”
Solely about 5% of his clients are doing something resembling critical off-roading. The remaining are campers, hikers, and bikers who need extra versatility from a car they already personal and have paid off.
Operating the Enterprise Solo
Prius Offroad is, by Eric’s personal account, a full-time obsession. On days with out his son, he works from 5 a.m. to midnight.
“I most likely put in 80 hours per week, however I genuinely adore it,” he mentioned.
As for the long run, Eric isn’t chasing fast development. He’s content material serving a distinct segment that hardly existed earlier than he confirmed as much as fill it — and he’s open to promoting when the correct purchaser comes alongside.
“I’d like to promote at that cut-off date, however till I discover the correct purchaser on the proper worth, and it is smart for me, I’m going to be operating it till the day I die.”
Supply: The Autopian
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