***Cargo Management Systems Survey, Please Read!**

[GMresearcher]

Hello everyone.

 

I'm a senior engineering student researching a project for GM.

 

If you are an SUV user/owner, please participate!

 

All you have to do is reply in this thread with answers to a couple simple questions.

1. What types of items would you use a Cargo Management System for to organize your trunk space?

(be specific, preferably listing what you'd use it for most).

 

2. Would you rather have a universal organizer that can go from vehicle to vehicle or a specific organizer tailored to your personal needs (i.e. specific types of storage for items like sporting goods or groceries)?

 

3. What's your age [group]?

 

4.

What are you willing to pay for an SUV Cargo Management system that suits most of if not all your specific needs?

 

If you have any other comments about what you would want on a Cargo Management System, feel free to post it!

 

Thanks for your time!

[SS Crew]

My cargo management system consists of a 2x6 at the tailgate end of the wheel wells in the little depressions. It gives me about 12" of area that keeps things from sliding around in the bed. It's great for putting the groceries there too. It's also easy to remove and replace.

[Yukon04]

 

What is a cargo management system? Is it a factory option? What is the RPO code? What does it look like? I would be happy to fill out the survey if I knew what it was. Please advise.

[GMresearcher]

Please refrain from responding/replying if you are not answering the posted questions.

 

I would appreciate it if the last couple users would delete thier posts.

 

Thanks

 

Note: The survey is in the first post, its 3 simple questions, Just post your answers in this thread, its that easy!

[Elwood 2000]

1. I always carry a small tool box, recovery strap, chain, first aid kit, gloves, hitch of some sort to fit in the receiver and in the snowy months a small shovel. Sometimes even a small bag of sand if snow/blizzard conditions are going to persist. Some type of cargo system that lets me adjust the spaces for MY needs would be best. I own a Suburban, so keeping these items close to the rear of the back seat would be best, as they are used seldom. As I stated before, adjustable areas for the rest as well. Some times, I put only one or two boxes/packages in there, some times it is full. Adjustability to keep things from sliding around would be great. The ability to remove all dividers for larger cargo is necessary too. Also, one of the FEW things we like about my wifes Impalla is the cargo net in the trunk. A small net, that is removable, to put smaller things would be nice too!

 

2. I think something custom tailored to the vechicle is best. For instance, a unit for a Tahoe or a Trailblazer won't work very well for my Suburban and the one for my Suburban won't even fit in a Trailblazer and most likely would not work well in a Tahoe.

 

3. My wife and I are 34 with 2 kids. Our Suburban is the true "family vehicle" as we each have our own ride to drive to work.

 

As for other "ideas", please keep it rather simple, RATTLE FREE and in good taste, not a cheesy plastic looking POS in the back. Remember, you are asking people to pay $30k-$55k for your SUV's these days. The cost of fabric per unit is pretty cheap. Think along the lines of the truck beds that you can put boards in the pre-formed "pockets" as dividers. Use the same principles.

 

 

I hope my thoughts are of help.

[asilverblazer]

I apologize for being funny,

 

I would use my cargo area large, items such as chains jack, tow strap the receiver plugs, etc... things that I don't want to let get the carpet dirty.

 

1. I suggest an item similar to other aftermarket companies something about 7-9 inches deep with large bins with dividers inside. Then put a nice finished lid on it to hide all the big ugly dirty items.

 

2. Not so specific but not vehicle generic. Happy medium.

 

3. Forgot the age question... (18-24) "Punk Kid"

 

Newbie, Welcome aboard.

[BRZ71]

I have a toolbox on my truck and use that for everything. What I would like to see is a "trunk" in the trucks like the Honda Avalanche knockoff has. Now if you where going to put a divider in there, make half divided off for tools etc, with a removable tray, and half open for large items, and defiantly put a removable drain plug.

[GMresearcher]

Thanks everyone.

 

Great replies, keep them coming!

[az'03Silverado]

You only want SUV (Subs/Tahoe/Yukon), right?

[builderpaul]

I thought this thread was for SUV but see pickup guys are answering also. I have both so I will comment on both. Everyone has there own stuff and their own way of organizing that stuff. I don't see where it would be possable to provide a system for one person that wouldn't just be in the way for someone else, or misplaced when you really need it. IMHO you have a rough project ahead of you.

 

SUV - I will organize it myself thank-you. I would like some tie down points for bungees and rope. Those hooks that are hidden when not in use would be great.

Pockets for 2x4s (two tier loading) would be good also. Set of roof racks that don't whistle and that will carry some weight. Removable cross memebers are nice.

 

Pick-Up - These vehicles are so versitale and so much aftermarket is already available. Leave them stripped and let the owner build them to his specs. I haul such a varied array of stuff that there is no one organizer that would work. Anything built in would be in the way of loading something else.

I would like a better hook, in the cab, for hanging up my Stetson. The jack cover, behind the seat, (reg cab) should be altered and some shelfs added.

 

Older than dirt

[budhayes3]

1) I have all of my tools and roadside emergency stuff already organized, but since I have very little room in the reg cab for packages (groceries and other items that you pick up while you're out), I'd probably use an organizer in the bed for that.

 

2) I'd like something vehicle specific that looks and fits like it belongs there.

 

3) I'm 35, married, no kids yet.

[PeterbiltChrome]

Posting on behalf of my mother's Buick Rendevous:

 

1. Any type of recessed bin in the floor with a flip up lid in the back of an SUV would be a useful feature. The Rendevous has a a 5" deep x about 6" wide recessed tray running across the back part of the cargo area. That is great for jugs of milk and things and eliminate their tendancy to roll in the cargo area. She also stores some emergency gear in there but not in large quantity.

 

2. A frame that would could be transfered out of the vehicle would likely be a nuisance to work with because most have a rear seat that can be flipped up. Anything that sits ontop of the folded seat would be in the way.

 

3. mom is 50-ish, married, retired school-teacher

[CanadianHD]

Since my next vehicle will likely be a tahoe, I ll chime in here as well.

 

1) I believe that cargo is so varied that one "system" will not cut it. Make it very adaptable for everyones needs.

 

2) Having it be vehicle specific is best because then it will fit properly.

 

3) age is 30 ish and married, one kid.

 

I would like to see something like a drop in plastic liner, such as what is found in pickups. This could incorporate removable dividers, nets, bins, etc. It would also help keep the sides and rear of the seat cleaner.

 

Just my 2 cents...

[AirForceAngler]

I'd like something that was totally flat on top but with a long slide out drawer, about 6" deep. In it, I'd keep jumper cables, tow strap, fishing rods and some tackle and room for hunting equipment, bows, shotgun, etc.

 

Something this size would probably remain in one vehicle but would have moveable drawer dividers to make separate compartments.

 

I'm in my late 30's.

 

Send me a message for an address to send the royalty checks to!

[Wingnut]

Click here. How about some of the stuff featured in the Cheyenne, like lighting and integrated tie-downs throughout for maximum versatility in all conditions, multiple storage bins in the box floor, and drawers in the box sides...Like This article says.

 

That's one fugly truck, but that doesn't mean that they can't put some of those things into a normal pickup. Heck, my buddy had an integrated toolbox on the exterior bedside on his '72 3/4 ton. That was perfect for jumper cables/gloves/chains/etc. Or how about the way that the interior on an El Camino went two feet under the bed. That would give regular cab guys TONS of options for dry and secure storage....Or SPEAKERS!

 

The bedside saddlebags...Pockets...Whatever...That the Avalanche has are just plain cool. My only concern with stuff like that is security. I could bust into one with a well placed karate chop.

 

 

1. On my '02 pickup, I have the Protec bed, so there are a few slots for putting dividers in there (I think the steel beds have them, just not at deep). And those have done me just fine, I use them all the time. Very, very useful.

 

For SUV's, I'd have to say look at the Aztek...OK don't look at the outside of it , look at the inside...There is some cool stuff going on in there. My sisters Honda CRV has some great stuff back there too.

 

Mine has good tie downs, but anything too big or messy won't be going in there anyways. Of course, it's a '92, so it's nothing close to what's out there now.

 

 

 

2. Specific organizer tailored to my personal needs. Like ATV/Motorcycle securing points, lockdowns, maybe even ramps. I think that there are too many different things folks do with their rigs to make an all-purpose setup like a "bed-extender" (which should be illegal on GM's due to the tailgate cable debacle).

 

3. 32, single no chitlins.

 

 

Please refrain from responding/replying if you are not answering the posted questions.

 

I would appreciate it if the last couple users would delete thier posts.

 

Thanks

 

BTW, it's our job to decide what posts stay or go. Members can't delete their own posts, only edit them.

 

I think that asilverblazer had a valid point. Maybe you should take a look at some of the input RIGHT HERE before you tell him to go away. Especially if you're in a position to present a little constructive criticism to the powers that be. That's all he was saying. So those posts stay.

 

Oh yeah, you might want to be specific about whether or not you want information on pickups as well. 'Cause that's what you seem to be getting the most of.

 

 

To everybody else: He's asking for help, let's play nice...Let's give him some good information. It certainly can't hurt.