Shower pan liner as cargo mat

[crholliday]

Howdy again,

I got the idea for the shower pan liner from a post on this board (via search). Great idea! For $30 I got 6 linear feet of grey shower pan liner which almost perfectly matches the rest of my grey interior (close enough for non-decorator types).

I mounted the rear of the liner - at the stern - underneath that carpet-hold-down-threshold-looking thingie. Just unscrewed, lined it up and rescrewed the threshold right through the liner. Did some less than perfect molding-type cuts to get it to fit along the sides and then traced around the second row seat hinges and the second and third row seat mounts for a snugish fit. So far I have about 45 minutes in this.

THe problem I have now is how to keep it from crinkling up with use. There is nothing to really hold it in place toward the front (bow). I purchased some "industrial" velcro stuff but it wont grab the carpet (though it will grab the upholstry on the back of the seats). The idea of permanently afixing the bottom part of the velcro to the floor (deck) to act as an anchor is really not sitting well. Anybody have any other ideas? I would like to make it so that I can just unroll it when I put the bikes in there (most of the time), then roll it back toward the back when I need to put living cargo in the seats.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[NorCalDoug]

This might be too simple of a solution, but why not just cut out holes where the 2nd row seats anchor and let the weight of the 2nd row seats hold the material down?

This way, if you need to roll it back up, you unlatch the 2nd row and roll the material back.

Another option could be to figure out a way to anchor a velcro strap to the 2 bolts that hold the 2nd row seats in place (the 2 rear bolts). Connect these straps to the velcro that you have attached to the liner.

 

[Newps]

Picts please, I got to see what this looks like. I am in need to some rear cargo protection this maybe the cheep ticket.

 

[Beowulf]

>> Anybody have any other ideas? <<

Yeah, I got a Husky cargo area liner on eBay for about $40. 3 years and it's doing great.
-B-

 

[crholliday]

>> Yeah, I got a Husky cargo area liner on eBay

Does it go all the way to the 2nd row seat hinge when you have the 2nd row folded up? Most of the prefabricated ones didnt. I need it to go all the way because the bikes push all the way to that point. The other thing I considered was that anything too thick would prevent the seats from properly latching.

Or was yours big (your husky liner that is) and you trimmed it to fit?

I'll post pics of mine tomorrow.

C.

 

[Beowulf]

>> I need it to go all the way because the bikes push all the way to that point. <<

Nope, the Husky is just for the cargo area. Give us some pics when you get a chance.

-B-

 

[scottm]

Is that the stuff under tile shower floors? I think I remember that stuff being fairly soft and flexible, can you slide stuff around on it or does it bunch up?

 

[DRTDuck]

"I am in need to some rear cargo protection this maybe the cheep ticket."

I just fold out my $8 plstic tarp when I need some prtection of the carpet!

 

[andrewmacc]

Another similiar material which is more durable, though not grey, is the EPDM rubber used for commercial flat roofing applications. The size a LC cargo area requires amounts to an unuseable scrap for a roofing applicator. Also check with decorative pond installers as they use the same stuff as pond liners over dirt or in some cases over concrete. In any case it is cheap to purchase at about $2-3 per linear foot in 6' widths. It is available in any colour so long as it's black.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I vote for the $8 tarp as the added bonus is that once it's dirty you simply pull it out and shake it vs having to sweep out any strategy with a fixed liner. For the 3 days a year I need protection the tarp is it.

DougM

 

[MoJ]

Any tractor supply store carries thick rubber liners for pick up beds. It's cheap, very durable, and comes in a big enough piece you can trim it fit perfect inside of your cruiser. It's enough to cover whatever area you're wanting.

 

[crholliday]

Sorry for the delay in sending the pics. This first pic shows my use of the LC as a bike transport. With one 2nd row seat folded forward, I can get two bikes, gear and 3 people in the vehicle. The shower pan liner/cargo mat extends all the way to the base of the forward folded 2nd Row seat. In the second picture, the liner is secured by the 2nd row seat being folded down, but there is still some crinkling. The third pic shows the attachment of the liner to the threshold.

 

[Doc]

Darn, nice bike. Hate the pedals though.... One too many run-ins with the shins keep me on either ATAC's or easton flats depending on the ride.

 

[Scamper]

I just went to the Home Despot and bought some cheap carpet runner than was basically the same color as the OEM stuff. Since it was runner, I had to tape it together to get the width I neede, so used standard carpet tape. Stuff has been used now since December '97 and the carpet underneath is still like just out of the factory. Since the carpet has a rubber-like backing, it tends to stay in place and doesn't slide very easily. It was cheap too--total cost was like $20.

 

[Safado]

HUH...with that image of Scampers setup...why couldn't you use one...or two depending on needs of the office chairs mats. Then have thos little rubber spikes on the bottom to keep them in place and come in all sizes....trim to fit. Plus they're clear and would match any interior...especially with clear lenses.

 

[scottm]

I think I remember this topic here or 80scool, someone picked up a waterproof, tan, outdoor carpet at Home Depot or similar store. Great for his wet dogs. My local store said it was probably carried in west coast stores where such a thing would be popular. Wish I could find that stuff.

 

[crholliday]

The thing here in Oklahoma is red clay mud. The stuff is like bad politics, you can never really get it out. I think a carpet, even astroturf or similar, would cave under the pressure of this crap. You would not be able to get it out. Frequently the bikes will enter the vehicle covered with it and still be dripping wet. Whatever it is, it has to be nonporous and waterPROOF.

I'm gonna get my wife to sew up a couple of covers for the 3rd row seats when they are folded up. Heavy canvas to keep the pedals and Okie mud from gettin all over them too.

Should be a week or so.

C.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Tried those eggbeater pedals and couldn't hack 'em. Everyone in my club got them the same week and I and are still loving them after a year. I switched back to Shimanos.

If you're going to really worry about red clay mud and such - and I would too - then I'd get one of the commercial cargo area mats with the custom fit and raised lip around the edge. My winter driver's mat is one of those models that they show on TV with someone pouring a pint of water onto it and nothing spills. Cannon from England. Works great. The Subaru has one of the cargo area models and I have had muddy mountain bikes, bags of fertilizer, oil-leaking gas trimmers and the like in there with pristine carpet still. The nice thing about these cargo mats is you pull them out with one motion and toss them on the driveway after washing the car. Use the remaining soapy water to clean up a couple months of grundge and you're good to go again.

I do like the liner idea in the pics, but it still leaves you to clean up stuff IN the car with all its attendant restrictions (can't power wash it for instance). Pulling the dirty thing out and going nuts on it seems like the way to go for my active dirt infested life.

DougM