Cargo in a crash
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Cargo in a crash
Heavy objects - luggage or a pet - in the C6 back area could be killers in a crash or high speed panic stop. Has anyone found or made a barrier or guard that will pretect that area?
My measurement is 19 inches high by about 30 inches wide.
We are leaving on an extended trip shortly and my wife and dog are expecting a fix - pressure is on!
My measurement is 19 inches high by about 30 inches wide.
We are leaving on an extended trip shortly and my wife and dog are expecting a fix - pressure is on!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
their are a couple people on the forum that make a divider but not that high. put the dog in a portable kennel and strap it to the net. i think its down south vettes and gene has something from gm
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,181
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From: Valrico, Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 1,659
From: Las Vegas NV
For massive frontal impact -- You've already got two steel-reinforced thickly-padded barriers between your body's vital areas (head, upper torso) and the cargo... namely, the Corvette's seatbacks. I'd think twice about carrying anything around in the back of my car that can get through those. The only thing really exposed is your shoulders; I'm no Doctor, but I would think they're capable of sustaining a pretty good hit without being life-threatening.
If we're talking a roll-over and not just a front impact, thats totally different. You'll need some sort of reinforced net or something that can contain the cargo without totally obscuring your rear view. A simple half-wall partition won't do it.
If we're talking a roll-over and not just a front impact, thats totally different. You'll need some sort of reinforced net or something that can contain the cargo without totally obscuring your rear view. A simple half-wall partition won't do it.
Last edited by Kent1999; Sep 15, 2007 at 04:53 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: DFW This user does not support or recommend the product or service displayed in the ad to the right
get a harness bar like the sharkbar or Hardbar. Your wife has already given you the perfect "excuse" to get one.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Heavy objects - luggage or a pet - in the C6 back area could be killers in a crash or high speed panic stop. Has anyone found or made a barrier or guard that will pretect that area?
My measurement is 19 inches high by about 30 inches wide.
We are leaving on an extended trip shortly and my wife and dog are expecting a fix - pressure is on!
My measurement is 19 inches high by about 30 inches wide.
We are leaving on an extended trip shortly and my wife and dog are expecting a fix - pressure is on!
http://www.exoticvette.com/
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 615
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From: Mill Creek WA
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
A hundred pounds of luggage slamming into the seatback in a 15 g crash is 1,500 pounds of force on the seatback. With the airbag on one side and a suitcase on the other, you're head is really going to ache.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,259
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From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
Unless you bolt something very strong between both sides behind the seats (like the metal bar in the Z06) the above referenced quote will happen because the stuff in the back does not have a air bag to slow it down.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Thank you - and what about this?
A lot of valuable info here which I appreciate - especially the 'headache' physics. Obviously part of the solution needs to be a strong bar between the seat backs. As for the smaller stuff flying I am considering this: http://www.retract-a-gate.com/retrac...-pet-gate.html
mounted to operate vertically and latch at roof.
What do you think?
mounted to operate vertically and latch at roof.
What do you think?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 16
From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
A lot of valuable info here which I appreciate - especially the 'headache' physics. Obviously part of the solution needs to be a strong bar between the seat backs. As for the smaller stuff flying I am considering this: http://www.retract-a-gate.com/retrac...-pet-gate.html
mounted to operate vertically and latch at roof.
What do you think?
mounted to operate vertically and latch at roof.
What do you think?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Vette crash physics - Chevrolet liability?
I do believe these three things:
A well secured curtain will stop some stuff from flying forward some of the time - and any help improves the chances of less damage.
The closer that objects are placed to the back of he curtain the lower the 'fly time' of loose objects and the less the chance of 'penetration' into the passanger area.
Chevrolet, and most other car companies, should be doing
a much better job of addressing this risk - and educating drivers about the risk. Chevrolet - please note your liability here [hopefully Chevrolet scans the forum for issues to address].
My opinions here are greatly influenced by a family Toyota Sequoia that was totaled on I95 with 5 people aboard and full luggage behind - all held back by a Mercedes kevlar curtain I had thankfully saved from an ML320 we sold. Mercedes has done the world class engineering in this area. I hope GM will step up.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
My wife [and chief dog trainer] rides shot gun. You can understand my challange in getting her to see my Vette as the family trip car - she has an Odyssey.
BTW, our labrador Louis is actually a trained guide dog and as such is used to riding at the passenger's feet. Which helps explain why there is no room forward left for luggage.
BTW, our labrador Louis is actually a trained guide dog and as such is used to riding at the passenger's feet. Which helps explain why there is no room forward left for luggage.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Cargo crash net installed - finally
My physics are not good enough to know the maximum object weight that can be stopped from 65 mph to zero - quickly - by a curtain that is rated to hold back a static 200 -250 lbs. Hopefully someone else can help with that. - Maybe someone at Bowling Green can express a view of how Chevy views the safety issue here.
I do believe these three things:
A well secured curtain will stop some stuff from flying forward some of the time - and any help improves the chances of less damage.
The closer that objects are placed to the back of he curtain the lower the 'fly time' of loose objects and the less the chance of 'penetration' into the passanger area.
Chevrolet, and most other car companies, should be doing
a much better job of addressing this risk - and educating drivers about the risk. Chevrolet - please note your liability here [hopefully Chevrolet scans the forum for issues to address].
My opinions here are greatly influenced by a family Toyota Sequoia that was totaled on I95 with 5 people aboard and full luggage behind - all held back by a Mercedes kevlar curtain I had thankfully saved from an ML320 we sold. Mercedes has done the world class engineering in this area. I hope GM will step up.
I do believe these three things:
A well secured curtain will stop some stuff from flying forward some of the time - and any help improves the chances of less damage.
The closer that objects are placed to the back of he curtain the lower the 'fly time' of loose objects and the less the chance of 'penetration' into the passanger area.
Chevrolet, and most other car companies, should be doing
a much better job of addressing this risk - and educating drivers about the risk. Chevrolet - please note your liability here [hopefully Chevrolet scans the forum for issues to address].
My opinions here are greatly influenced by a family Toyota Sequoia that was totaled on I95 with 5 people aboard and full luggage behind - all held back by a Mercedes kevlar curtain I had thankfully saved from an ML320 we sold. Mercedes has done the world class engineering in this area. I hope GM will step up.
After much further reearch [thanks for all the input] I got this installed tonight in time for a long weekend triip starting tomorrow. I'll report and post a photo when we return but I can tell you the following:
The crossbeam behind the seats can be drilled at the top for installing screws for this.
The far rear attachment is with two small eyebolts which attach in two holes already provided either side of the latch where the plastic retainer plugs are.
The resulting cargo safety retention will be far more secure than any other option I have seen on the forum - and certainly a big step beyond the flimsy signt screen provided by Chevy.
I am still amazed that Chevy did not consdier the basic physics here. We have a joyful vehicle to enjoy at high speed with excellent safety features - with this one glaring omission. Mercedes provides a kevlar crash screen that Chevy should study and design for the next Vette.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
I am still amazed that Chevy did not consdier the basic physics here. We have a joyful vehicle to enjoy at high speed with excellent safety features - with this one glaring omission. Mercedes provides a kevlar crash screen that Chevy should study and design for the next Vette.
Maybe Chevy didn't anticipate people racing with luggage and a dog in back. Or racing with loose bowling ***** in the back.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
Assuming you're not riding like a pimp with your hat on sideways and your head between the seats, I don't think anything will hit you. I don't think anything will penetrate the seats. If you hit something hard enough to launch something at your dash, the damage there will be the least of your worries. If you pack your luggage so that a large object is up against the ledge, nothing is going to move. 