Cargo barriers ?

Hi Footy

I (we) don't have one and it is a "conscious decision" we need to be able to get into the Troopy front and rear when we wont to.

As we sleep in the back.

as for having an ascendant, I was teached (tought) you know what I mean, I hope... to insure not to have one, not insure to have one..

Cheers Richard

PS. if this reply makes no sence, It must mean I fit Willem's profile of peolpe posting late after they have been drinking .. hic.

A cargo barrier is great ...

Keeps the dogs at bay. stops loose stuff flying around ......

Until the day its pelting rain and you cant reach over the back seat to get your raincoat.

That and a bunch of other nuisance reasons caused the mate to get me to remove hers a few weeks ago ... she found that all the things she used to keep in the rear storage area were moving to the backseat because of the need to open tyre carriers and tailgates on every occasion.

Now all I have to do is patch up the rusty holes in the floor and damaged roofliner from a bodgy " professional " instal.

Hi Footloose,

My vehicle carries my most precious cargo in the 2nd row seats and I reckon a barrier is cheap insurance - hopefully I never have to find out.

I had cargo barriers in my 80 series and GU and while they were a PITA at times, I wouldn't be without them. I ordered one from Toyota with my 200, but due to the mounting system, cancelled it before delivery (it has straps from the barrier top to the rear floor due to curtain airbags thus preventing a draw system install). I am currently looking for a 1/2 height barrier for my 200 thats suits curtain airbags and my draw system.

Cheers

Captain

Hi Jim,
I've got one in the current troopy.

Seems like a good idea to me as I've got 2 100A Hr AGM batteries in there, 110L Waeco fridge, tools and all sorts of other odds and ends.

I don't plan to have an accident but I do know I can't control the actions of others!

So for me, they are cheap insurance.

But, like you say they can be a pain in the proverbial.

In my 5 seater troopy I can fold the rear bench forward and give me a flat floor more than roomy enough for my 6' 3" to stretch out.
Can't do that at all with the cargo barrier. I don't really even have the forward option you get with the wagon.

Geoff

I have one and I only wish I got one sooner. The fact that I can stack stuff right up to the top of the roof is big thing for me and not even to mention the safety factor. I wish more people can see the safety factor in them

Footy,

I've got a 2 position one but have now removed 2nd and 3rd row seats.
It's peace of mind and also great to hang hats and the first aid kit off.
I do recall the Milford add where the cargo barrier seemed to help support the roof in a rollover of a Pajero.

Morning Footy

Image Could Not Be Found

The Engel is tied down but the dog(not pictured) is loose. Will have to wear the dog if things go pearshaped.



Cheers

Footy,

I reckon if I didn't have kids I wouldn't have put a barrier in. The number of things which are too long for the cargo area is a PITA.

My vote is for a 'quick release' system like on bicycle wheels so when you need to cart things you can just remove the barrier with the flick of a few levers.

regards

Brian

Despite their problems, I find our barrier essential for long distance packing. What I would really like is one with two sets of mounting points so it could be moved between behind front seats and behind rear seats. I designed a set up like this for a previous 4 runner we had and used the seat belt shoulder anchorage points at the front to also hold brackets that would anchor the barrier. Sort of worked but was a bit fiddly. Reckon a professional could make a similar system that moved quickly and easily.

Footy

Seat belt anchors and seat anchorages are designed (under ADR’s) for just 20g. 60g in a conventional car is developed around 60 km/h from hitting an immovable object (e.g. large tree) – depends on car, circumstances etc. Remember a 4wd has less energy-absorbing features than other cars so an immovable object could produce greater g’s – just consider a 4wd chassis rail connecting with a concrete pole, ouch.

Now cargo barriers under the Aust Std need to cater for a 60kg object load. But they are known in an event, to be capable of withstanding much greater load (e.g. series of smaller objects) – I'm talking about reputable barrier brands here.

So consider a possible scenario. An aux. battery (30kg) in the back at 20g – 600kg hitting the back of your seat – full Engel weighs more too and often poorly anchored. But your seat anchors are designed to hold forward seat weight load of only 20g. Back seat anchors would rip out of floor and crush you between seat and seat belt. Above that you’re rammed into dash etc etc.

I could go on and on. Scenario’s are frightening. Mate, just keep the barrier. If you don’t I’ll sell my 9323 and buy a Satphone LOL……….. seriously though you’d have something to say about that. So just remember the decision you’re contemplating in removing the barrier is much more serious…………!!

cheers JD

First accessory that went into our family car, Jeep Cherokee.

and it was in the Pootrol as soon as the drawers went in (same day) and that was within a month of buying the car.

In my old troopy (5 seater) I made one that could be swung out of the way should I want to sleep in the back, It was hinged to a very over-engineered bar at the top, and just swung forward and clipped up to the roof. Worked for me.

I think that they are an almost essential item for anyone who doesn't use the third row.

Dave

Hi Footy,

My lovely bride, whom you have met, once rolled our truck onto it's roof. The cargo barrier was largely responsible for holding the roof at a safe distance above (below?) her head. So she suffered no injuries, apart from a little whiplash. But IMO, the cargo barrier saved her life!

Worth it??

You betcha!

Cheers

Brian

Footy

I have a different take on those barriers and I believe in some senarios they can make cars like 80's and patrols less safe.

Its weight behind the back wheels and up high that contributes to rollovers, our most deadly accident risk.

Cargo barriers promote both of these aspects and hence reduce primary saftey.

Its equally bad to have loose objects flying around in cars and to
have a car with a strucually weak roof.

When I had a GQ I thought it needed more roof strength but not with the GU.

We soft pack and things go into bags which are essentially all held in place and this means we don't have things above
the line of the 2nd row of seats anyway.

I.E. We can always see out the back of the car, and when we think it necessary we use nets from ocky strap material to locate things.

So for us its a conscious decision to aviod cargo barriers based primarily on the above considerations for our current car.

Been travelling for over 25 years in a 4wd without one. Put one in 2 years ago. Concerned about the amount of stuff behind the back seat when travelling.
Do take it out after a trip. Takes about 15 mins to put it in, or take it out.
Real pain around home when you want to put in a step ladder of a length of timber. Takes longer to put the roof racks on than to take out the cargo barrier.
Thinking about a half height barrier behind the front seats as well now. Kids have stopped travelling with us, and the back seat is now starting to get it's share of stuff like cameras and water bottles.

How does every one else keep cameras and water bottles in the front?

Don't know if I would want to be hit by a litre of water in a roll over. At least the axe and the engel are well tied down and behind the rear barrier.

A cargo barrier is a must if carrying anything behind you . Also dont have anything on the dash etc . The hilift jack , toolbox , sand anchor , rear tyre step , esky and other bits all up would weigh over 100kgs easily so its a must for me . These days milford cargo barriers are made for easy removal . Four round knobs unscrew to take out the barrier when i need and i can still carry 9 people without it .

Hey Willem

Not that I have a need for a barrier ... I have noticed there is a system that would solve the problems of access.

Primarily fitted in vehicles with roll bars ... its the nylon webbing system.

A shaped 30mm shs mini rollbar frame, in a wagon would be inobtrusive and allow the webbing to be easily ftted and removed. The same mounting points a main name brand steel barrier could be used for the frame.

I wouldnt buy a bling brand one as the prices are ridiculous but a good upholsterer should be able to do the making at a reasonable rate.

Just a thought ........

OzTroopy

You'd have to assume this has been investigated by manufacturers, but why the hell don't they just install hinged access panels in the design?
With solid catches, they'd have to be just as strong as the small bolts holding the barriers into the vehicle cabin, and couldn't be all that much dearer.