Rear liftgate tie down when open

[Dan Lee]

Hi,

I want to haul some long cargo that will extend beyond the rear lift gate by about 2-3 feet. This is with the 2nd row seats folded up.

It's a short distance so I think it will be okay if I can just figure out how to tie down the top lift gate so that it doesn't flap up and down while driving.

Is there a way you guys have been doing this? Or is this not recommended at all?

Thanks!

 

[Nothinghead]

I’ve never needed to do this but I think a carabiner would fit in the latching mechanism of the lift gate. Then you could bungee or tie that biner to a tie down loop.

 

[Dan Lee]

Thanks. I checked the latch and I'm wondering if there is a way to manually manipulate the latch to open / close when the lift gate is up. I'm a little apprehensive to but a carabiner in the latch - would hate to break it. But if it can be manually manipulated to open / close, then perhaps it might be okay as long as the carabiner fits. Then this may work. Too bad the loop isn't on the lift side, that would be perfect.

Just in general, I wish the LX had more tie down capabilities in the rear cargo area. It's one thing missing that would add more utility. Unless I haven't figured out how it's supposed to be done.

 

[SgtMoonracer]

I drove home from Home Depot yesterday with two 4x8 sheets of plywood sticking out the back. 8-10 miles or so, speeds up to 55. The constant beeping of the "warning rear hatch up” chime about 75 times per minute nearly drove me insane, but the hatch just stayed up and didn’t bother anything. I didn’t see any sign of flapping.

 

[Dan Lee]

lol. Thanks. Good to know

 

[KLF]

I keep a piece of Paracord in my tailgate storage, with a loop in one end. If I have long stuff like that, I put the loop over the shaft for the rear wiper, then tie off the cord down at the trailer hitch. I put a blanket between the upper gate and the material, and I have a chunk of 2" XPS rigid foam with a groove cut in it that sits on top of the lip of the lower tailgate to protect the paint.

You can stop the annoying beeping by taking a screwdriver and snapping the latch closed on the upper tailgate. Now the truck will think it's closed. Just don't forget to unlatch it before closing it later after unloading.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Or rent a HD truck for $20 an hour

 

[MrM]

I run with the gate down every so often. Just close the hatch latch around a bungee hook and hook it to a tie down loop and BOBs YOUR UNCLE... I just need to devise a hinge for the license plate so it swings down to keep me legal, like the old Broncos had. Mitch

 

[Dan Lee]

Thanks guys. Dumb question - if I use a carabiner or bungee hook to close the lift gate latch, how do I get the latch to open again? Do I just manipulate the door unlock / open button underneath the license plate overhang? Seems like but not sure.

 

[KLF]

Thanks guys. Dumb question - if I use a carabiner or bungee hook to close the lift gate latch, how do I get the latch to open again? Do I just manipulate the door unlock / open button underneath the license plate overhang? Seems like but not sure.

Yes, you just push the unlock button, it will open the latch. Give it a try.

 

[bloc]

You can use a Philips screwdriver to manipulate and release the mechanism before jamming a carabiner in there if you want to see how it works.

 

[Dan Lee]

Thanks. Will try.

 

[Cruiserlab]

I just need to devise a hinge for the license plate so it swings down to keep me legal, like the old Broncos had

I bet you could get a flip up bracket for a bumper and it would work.