My wife and I want to take our Mini on an extended road trip. This will mean putting the back seat down and filling the rear compartment with our stuff. This seems very dangerous if a crash should occur. Does anyone have a solution for this? The best I have been able to find is a dog barrier that folks use in vans or SUVs. If you know of a vendor I should check, please let provide their name. Thanks so much...

 

How about a net, like used on pickup beds? Anchor to the rear tie-downs and the front seat floor mounts.

 

That is a great idea! I have been wondering the same thing. Now to go and check out the parts store.

 

Just don't crash.

 

According to mythbusters, grocerys cant kill you in event of an accident...so dont load your suitcases up alot . But if thats not a good enough answer, defiantly go with a pick up truck net.

 

Use one of those dog barrier things. I've got two that I never use. Want me to ship one to you from CA so you can try it?
Billie

 

Pack well, with everything in a bag and keep 'em low in the car. Keep the heavy stuff low and to the front. Unless you hit a bridge abutment, chances are that stuff will stay low. A pickup truck net (or the equivalent) will keep it all well contained in many crashes, but in a severe wreck, well, stuff's gonna fly. I have a heavy piece of black denim I use over my stuff - having a 5'x5' piece of black fabric in the car has been a lifesaver in other ways too, like when my wife fell in the river and needed a skirt, or during impromptu picnics... and it can be a luggage cover then tied down with the 20' of black rope I also keep in the car!

 

I think this is a great idea. I'd also recommend using soft bags for your luggage.

 

I agree...pack smart (no steak knives...plastic) but then put on your very best driving skills and you'll be fine!! Have a great trip!!

 

My daughter and I will doing a road trip in March and I was fussing about the same thing. We are taking a minimum of "stuff" but I know I'll be bringing home a bunch of odd things.... like machinery parts that are about 60 years old.... (I know, it sounds odd, but we sold the family ranch and I'm taking some things that look unique to make sculptures out of them.... a flying sickle bar would not be something I'd not want to experience).... The net sounds really good, I may just go with a tarp tied down. Who knows... I have a few weeks still to figure it out.

 

I went Chicago-Dallas with both rear seats down, a large suitcase, a small box of detailing stuff and a duffle bag. I honestly never gave it much thought about "what if I got into an accident" would this hit me. With both head rest up, it would have to be something small(er) to fly between the two seats.

Here's one of those, is there a need for a product moment within the community.

 

Hmm...am driving from KC to Yosemite and up to Seattle in May... hadn't thought about the flying object risk... but great thread!

 

I bought one of these cargo bars for a project. It's just a telescoping bar. Potentially you could span one of these to hold down heavy objects. Might work better with the seats out so you can get heavy objects even lower..but just a thought.

You would still need to figure out where you could securely grip the ends without damaging your interior.

Another idea are bungee cords--there are various attachment points from front to rear that you could utilize to keep objects from moving.



http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=43569

 

I've driven my MINI across the country and back every year since 2003, and am preparing to do so again in April. I pack a LOT of things, as I am gone for 6-8 weeks. Things get packed in tight, like a puzzle, then a quilt or blanket is laid over it all and tucked in all the way around.

For the quick overnight stops, I keep a smallish bag packed with a few day's worth of clothes and necessities, and it goes in last, so it is easily grabbed from underneath the blanket. That blanket helps prevent rattles and clicks, too.

Never pack anything above the level of the top of your seats. You'll be surprised how much stuff you can pack in, and if you pack in enough stuff, there won't be any load-shifting at all. That's my theory, and I'm sticking with it!