cargo barriers

Could be wrong, but I think the guy who invented the milford cargo barrier is an ex-Telstra employee. They had amazing number of deaths by lethal cargo projectiles, until this bloke came up with a way to stop it.

G-wizz

Considering that a full tissue box or street directory hitting you in the back of the head at 60kmh will potentially kill you - hands up all those that want to be hit by the tool box?

As a Paramedic I reckon cargo barriers should be a mandatory fitment in all wagon/hatch style vehicles. I wouldn't put my family in the front without one.

Most can be moved to forward positions for when the back seat is folded down and it doesn't take long.

I've had wagons for the last 7 years and have only found one thing I had to do which needed the barrier out. Two minutes out and two minutes to put it back in at the end of the job and it was no stress.

Oh and it was a big block of white polystyrene for cutting wings out of. Wasn't going to hurt anyone after it was secured.

Dave

Dave

Quote: As a Paramedic I reckon cargo barriers should be a mandatory fitment in all wagon/hatch style vehicles. I wouldn't put my family in the front without one.

And what if you use the back seats ?

I assume you mean the rear seats as in the third row?

I probably wouldnt but my kids in the rear seats in the likes of a commodore or falcon. They are in a crumple zone. The safety aspect of those is a bit up in the air. I know back in the days of VT commodores there was thought that they were safe as long as the crash load occurred low enough.

In a Patrol or Cruiser theres a better chance that that will occur as the vehicle is higher and they don't sit right against the tailgate like the feet and ankles of littlies in a regular station wagon with rear facing seats.

As for the cargo barrier - don't pack much behind the third row seats. There's bugger all space there anyway. You'd hardly be leaving on a round the country trip with all of the seats full. I don't have that many kids but i reckon those that do probably have roof racks and trailers that solve the missile problem.

Basically if you fit a cargo barrier, then pack everything you practically can behind it, and then minimise the crap inside the passenger compartment you are far safer.

Where's your club lock? The handle fits in your eye socket and it's been done in a rollover in Victoria....

Took me two seconds to find one good reason. There'll be plenty of others.

Makes interesting reading. The crash wasn't even his fault.

Dave

You have just pointed out EXACTLY , why it cant be mandatory ?

How can they be mandatory when the option to use 3 rows of seats are there ?

I USE 3 rows , so I dont fit a Cargo barrier. When the kids grow up , I probably will , but . . .

How can you try to make them mandatory.

I couldn't agree more Flappa. I notice you have this reaction to a number of posts! I'm just raising the point in regards to all the people who swear that they are the most important accessory. Personally I hate rules and I think laws are designed for guiding stupid people. Late one night afer work in Sydney I drove to a lookout at North Bondi to watch a lightning display over the ocean. To my dismay there was a sign which read 'NO STOPPING 10pm-6am'. Watching a beautiful display of nature was a traffic infringement! So I left Sydney and moved as far as possible from others rules as is practical (100 acres on far North Coast).

Bloody Oath, talk about PITA! Why the hell does everyone (especially the government) think they need to wrap me in bubble rap!!!!!!! F%&K OFF, I can look after myself thank you very much!

I have my own storage box which takes the place of a cargo barrier and I DON'T WANT ONE. Go away you doo gooders!

oh come on Jeff, tell us what you really feel :)

Spot on mate! Good to see someone with common sense! I was in a rollover where that EXACT situation occured!

They are good in certain situations, but it's YOUR decision to fit one, it's YOUR LIFE, YOUR CAR. If the government want to buy me a 4wd and give it to me for nothin and tell me that I HAVE to have a cargo barrier, great no problems, I can deal with that, but until that time GO AWAY AND LEAVE ME ALONE!

robak,
Yes there have been a few over time. Whatever way you look at it you cant win. If you fit one, you feel safe from missiles heading towards you under hard breaking, on the other hand, fit one and u end up in a river with the only way out is the back doors, and your stuck. It has to be a personal decision. I for 1 have one in mine. Connon sense plays a HUGE part in safety, but if your number is up, then there is nothing anyone can do about it.

That aint going to stop me from seeing this great country though. I would rather cark it outback than in the city anytime :-)

Just had a cargo barrier (Milford) fitted two days ago - interestingly, it was supplied with a glass breaker fitted on the back side of it, so that if someone was ever trapped in the back, they can get out.

Now a glass breaker in FRONT of it would get around the problem of not escaping the vehicle in a rollover. Interestingly, my in-laws live in Florida, and it's mandatory there for all vehicles to have a glass breaker within reach of the driver, because so many old people drive off the road into canals :)

"glass breaker fitted" ? mine was given to me loose so it goes anywhere. my prado (early one, 7/96) has no door opener on the inside of the rear, hmmm. yep i think it's illegal to put people behind the barrier (at least in NSW) since that tragedy with the kids.

as well as that, it allows me to pack to the roof when not using the 3rd row of seats, I don't tow and I avoid the roof rack if possible.