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Most things in a Corvette are designed for their intended purpose ( cost and weight ) Having first hand knowledge in the area I would not try to use them as a hold down, since the cargo shade is very light weight and puts little demand on these hold downs.
Hope this helps
Bill aka ET
Some clarification as there are multiple tie downs and hooks in the rear storage compartment...
The yellow note is mostly referring the cargo cover hooks which are the small, weak, plastic clips on top of the wheel wells (item #3 in the diagram). These are just for the fabric cover so no weight here at all. I've broken one of them already.
The D-rings in the OP's picture are the tie-downs (item #1 in the diagram) and can hold a "small load" (whatever that is) per the note in pink. These are bolted into the floor of the car and thus are pretty strong (go ahead and pull on them, you'll see). I believe the side panels (item #2) are just screwed into plastic thus limiting how much they can take.
The 3rd option is the "convenience net" which is screwed into the back of the car but only in two places, it can hold small loads but nothing heavy. Once again the manual doesn't list weights so use your judgement.
^^^
Good post.
The floor rings will keep most cargo from sliding around while driving, especially if the item(s) have surfaces that don't slide easily. Think of a fabric-sided suitcase vs one with slick hard plastic sides.
But they are not strong enough to hold a 40 lb suitcase in place during a serious collision.
The good news is that the seatbacks provide some protection against items flying forward and hitting you.
Most items are too big to go over the top of the headrests, and if they come forward between the seats they tend to hit the dash instead of you. Not guaranteed by any means, but a reasonable chance.
In our C6 Coupe I T-boned a moron who suddenly pulled out in front of me. Impact speed about 35 mph, fired my airbag and trashed the front of the car. In the trunk were a couple of cased shotguns and bags with boxes of ammo and other misc gear. None of it made it forward past the seats. My only injuries were bruises from the belts and a bunch of skin off my arm from the airbag.
^^^
Normally I hold the wheel at 10 & 3. Actually, 1030-230 because of the spoke positions.
That's where my hands were when the guy pulled out in front of me. I knew I couldn't stop, and couldn't swerve because of obstacles; the only hope was to hit the brakes and get on the horn in hopes that he'd goose it and get across in front of me, right to left. He was clueless and just mosey'd on across the road, my right hand was still on the horn button when I hit him. The airbag took off most of the skin on the inside of my right arm from wrist to elbow. Looked pretty messy but healed up nicely. His insurance paid all my repair and medical bills and threw in a few thou for pain & suffering. His wife, in the passenger seat on other side from me, turned out later to have significant injuries that showed up later.
^^^
What color was your car? When I had a grey Acura, that happened to me several times, narrowly avoiding collisions. And I was hit from behind while sitting at a red light. Never getting grey again. I feel a bit safer in the Sebring Orange Vette.
^^^
Normally I hold the wheel at 10 & 3. Actually, 1030-230 because of the spoke positions.
That's where my hands were when the guy pulled out in front of me. I knew I couldn't stop, and couldn't swerve because of obstacles; the only hope was to hit the brakes and get on the horn in hopes that he'd goose it and get across in front of me, right to left. He was clueless and just mosey'd on across the road, my right hand was still on the horn button when I hit him. The airbag took off most of the skin on the inside of my right arm from wrist to elbow. Looked pretty messy but healed up nicely. His insurance paid all my repair and medical bills and threw in a few thou for pain & suffering. His wife, in the passenger seat on other side from me, turned out later to have significant injuries that showed up later.
Thanks for the update. Now I see why the airbag did such damage. I drive 9 & 3 (I believe that gives you the most control) and had a woman run a red light going around 40 and me at 42. My drivers side front corner (C6) and the front of my side steel bar hit her passenger side front wheel. Both cars totaled. My worst injury, a very slightly sprained right thumb. No injury to the other driver and no passengers. So I love airbags. Just a note to other drivers in such a situation, when you know you are going to hit something and your car is skidding, let go of the wheel and as Jim learned don't be on the horn. You don't want your hands in front of that airbag. Or holding on to a steering wheel that might wildly spin to the right or left lock.
Last edited by Walt White Coupe; Feb 10, 2020 at 03:54 PM.
I know the tie downs mounted on the quarter panels behind the speakers are held in by a bolt that is threaded into an insert that looks like it is riveted to the panels inside the car.
Driver Side Interior Rear Quarter Passenger Side Interior Rear Quarter
I suspect the floor mounted clips are held in the same way.
I know the tie downs mounted on the quarter panels behind the speakers are held in by a bolt that is threaded into an insert that looks like it is riveted to the panels inside the car.
Thanks - I thought they just went into plastic but since they bolt into a chassis brace (like the targa clips) they should be able to take a decent load combined with the floor tie-downs. The metal D-rings indicate (to me) that GM has some confidence in their strength. It would be nice to know a spec on them for the record. As mentioned I grabbed the ones on the floor and pulled... those things are solid and ain't going anywhere.
I ordered two of the D-ring types including the plastic trim the other day. I am going to put them somewhere near the rear if I can. When I had the carpet and side trim out I wasn't looking for a spot but do remember there is a bolt just a little forward of the lid for that small compartment in the left rear. I hope there is one on the battery side. My plan is to find a stretch net and use my two new ones plus the two further forward to hold it down. I hope I can work something out because these pieces plus a touchup bottle were about $97. And that was after the guy discounted them. MSRP had them just under $100 so I kind of got my touchup for free.
^^^
Normally I hold the wheel at 10 & 3. Actually, 1030-230 because of the spoke positions.
That's where my hands were when the guy pulled out in front of me. I knew I couldn't stop, and couldn't swerve because of obstacles; the only hope was to hit the brakes and get on the horn in hopes that he'd goose it and get across in front of me, right to left. He was clueless and just mosey'd on across the road, my right hand was still on the horn button when I hit him. The airbag took off most of the skin on the inside of my right arm from wrist to elbow. Looked pretty messy but healed up nicely. His insurance paid all my repair and medical bills and threw in a few thou for pain & suffering. His wife, in the passenger seat on other side from me, turned out later to have significant injuries that showed up later.
My only concern is when I have my floor jack behind me driving to/from the track. 240 miles to Watkins Glen.
I usually tie it down to the two floor mounts as best I can just hoping to limit its travel forward in the event of a crash.
Doesn't look too efficient, but better than nothing.
My '71Datsun 240Z had 2 nylon straps with buckles mounted fore and aft to the rear floor that held down just about everything.
That would be an ideal solution
My only concern is when I have my floor jack behind me driving to/from the track. 240 miles to Watkins Glen.
I usually tie it down to the two floor mounts as best I can just hoping to limit its travel forward in the event of a crash.
Doesn't look too efficient, but better than nothing.
My '71Datsun 240Z had 2 nylon straps with buckles mounted fore and aft to the rear floor that held down just about everything.
That would be an ideal solution
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