Cargo area protection project
#1
Cargo area protection project
I had been brainstorming a way to protect the interior of the rear cargo area from scuffs, scratches, dings and gouges from daily loading of ‘toys’ such as beach chairs, coolers, fishing equipment, boogie boards or whatever you may throw back there. After a few years of this, the plastic trim gets a lot of wear making the vehicle look much older, and reducing the value at sale or trade-in, but especially for one’s own pride of ownership.
I came up with this one afternoon using bits and pieces in my workshop, and an inexpensive moving blanket from Amazon, but you can find these anywhere. The moving blanket was their cheapest at $15, which I chose to use as my test model. I may get a thicker, stronger one if I find this to work well going forward. I also wanted it to be quick to employ and deploy. It takes a minute or two to put in or remove. I used some shock cord I had lying around, S-hooks, which I covered with heat shrink tape to prevent scratches on the plastic trim, brass grommets I placed into the blanket at key points, and spring-loaded key rings to fasten the blanket around the grab handles at the rear doors. Total cost - approximately $20, using what I had lying around, but if you had to buy the grommets, S-hooks, heat shrink tubing and shock cord, it would drive the price up to $25+ dollars.
I came up with this one afternoon using bits and pieces in my workshop, and an inexpensive moving blanket from Amazon, but you can find these anywhere. The moving blanket was their cheapest at $15, which I chose to use as my test model. I may get a thicker, stronger one if I find this to work well going forward. I also wanted it to be quick to employ and deploy. It takes a minute or two to put in or remove. I used some shock cord I had lying around, S-hooks, which I covered with heat shrink tape to prevent scratches on the plastic trim, brass grommets I placed into the blanket at key points, and spring-loaded key rings to fasten the blanket around the grab handles at the rear doors. Total cost - approximately $20, using what I had lying around, but if you had to buy the grommets, S-hooks, heat shrink tubing and shock cord, it would drive the price up to $25+ dollars.
The following 4 users liked this post by WTFChuck:
#2
No style points here but it makes up for it in utility. I do love a clean truck and it's an impressive use of $25 considering you can't get through a Chick-fil-A for less. What The F*ck Chuck -> Stretch A Buck Chuck?
There is an aftermarket option for the less crafty.
https://www.hatchbag.us/land-rover-d...0e-cargo-liner
I'll also give you that theirs uses a lot of Velcro stuck directly to plastic. I don't like that idea.
There is an aftermarket option for the less crafty.
https://www.hatchbag.us/land-rover-d...0e-cargo-liner
I'll also give you that theirs uses a lot of Velcro stuck directly to plastic. I don't like that idea.
Last edited by _Allegedly; 06-12-2022 at 08:26 AM.
#3
No style points here but it makes up for it in utility. I do love a clean truck and it's an impressive use of $25 considering you can't get through a Chick-fil-A for less. What The F*ck Chuck -> Stretch A Buck Chuck?
There is an aftermarket option for the less crafty.
https://www.hatchbag.us/land-rover-d...0e-cargo-liner
I'll also give you that theirs uses a lot of Velcro stuck directly to plastic. I don't like that idea.
There is an aftermarket option for the less crafty.
https://www.hatchbag.us/land-rover-d...0e-cargo-liner
I'll also give you that theirs uses a lot of Velcro stuck directly to plastic. I don't like that idea.
#5
Thanks, Allegedly. Yes, definitely utilitarian, but as long as it saves scuffs, I’m happy. Plus, I always do a prototype to test the waters. I may tweak it going forward, but I’ll only actually use it occasionally and the fact that I can throw it in the back, hook the loops over the anchor points and have peace of mind is comforting. I always had pause if I had to go to the hardware store for bags of mulch or plants, or get some bulky items that could wreak havoc on the interior. Now it’ll be a good feeling knowing it’s all safe, and I can throw the whole rig into the washer, fold it and stow it.
https://www.lrparts.net/vples0568-de...id-models.html
#6
cardude: That is a nice look, and fit. However, I could not find anything aftermarket that would give protection to the entire cargo area, seats folded down. They all only cover the smaller area with the rear seats in use. And although my original motivation was just a whim for a future need, I will actually be moving in the near future and this will be more than adequate for filling the cargo area with storage bins and cardboard boxes and not having to worry about scuffs and scratches. And for under $25.
#7
cardude: That is a nice look, and fit. However, I could not find anything aftermarket that would give protection to the entire cargo area, seats folded down. They all only cover the smaller area with the rear seats in use. And although my original motivation was just a whim for a future need, I will actually be moving in the near future and this will be more than adequate for filling the cargo area with storage bins and cardboard boxes and not having to worry about scuffs and scratches. And for under $25.
Last edited by cardude; 06-23-2022 at 07:18 AM. Reason: gramma'
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WTFChuck (06-23-2022)
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