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Cargo Deck -- A MUST HAVE INTERIOR ACCESSORY

OK WAIT A MINUTE!! :8:

I finally thought I had something cool to brag about that no one else had and Ahhnuld comes along and rains on my parade!!

I was told that I was going to get the first production model of this which should have been shipped out this week and I was going to have a big party with pictures and everything!!

Well thanks a lot! I hope you're happy!!


kiddin BTW ;D
 
Hey Joe,
You are gettin the first production piece, I have a proto.
Sorry about stealin yer thunder. :cry:

By all means, post your pics, I'll bring the beer! ;D
 
I looked at the cargo deck idea and decided to go with a one-piece cover for the entire area, seat backs folded down and all.

Took me the better part of 2 hours with a large piece of cardboard (old appliance box) to get the template just right, then transferred it to 1/2-inch marine-grade plywood ($17). After cutting the plywood, I covered it with a piece of scrap carpet (from a carpet outlet - $15), non-slip -- and which has the added advantage of making a snug fit against door panels, seat backs, etc.

With the addition of a cage barrier that I already had from another vehicle, it's now a perfect place for our 3 Weimaraners, and no chance of a leg slipping down and getting pinched (or worse) between the folded-down seat and a door.

When not in use, the flat piece of plywood and the cage barrier hang on wall hooks in the garage.

Total cost: about 4 hours and $35, including all materials. (So I'm cheap, but I got exactly what I wanted for about 25% of the price for something that wasn't quite what I wanted.)
 
so, you decked the entire area then? Hadn't thought of that, but my dog is smaller and calmer ;D She has slipped back into the hinge area when I didn't put her dog bed back there :(
 
Down in FL,
Thanks for your post and verifying that a handmade one will work. I may try to do it with 1/4 - 3/8 hardboard so that it can fit in the rear window holder. I won't be hauling around any "wet" dogs so I am not so concerned about it being marine grade wood.
 
Unless you like your dogs running around on a hard surface, or have a crate you need to slide in there, you can do what I did.

I just bought a papasan cushion from Pier 1 for about $30. It's a round cushion about 5" thick and about 5' across. Fold down the back seats and toss that in there and it covers pretty much everything from door to door, covers up the hinge area, and wraps up against the back of the seat and the midgate a bit making a nice dog bed.

Nikki_Jess_go_to_park_s_021207.JPG


When you need an extra seat the 40% side of the back seat can be pulled back up and the cushion just bends to accomodate. And when not needed it stows in the bed just fine.
 
TXAVy said:
Wow, a white cushion for a black dog. :eek:

When I was growing up, we had white carpets in half of the house. (I have no idea what my parents where thinking... white carpets and small kids just don't mix.) Then later, we got a black dog. It didn't matter how much dog brushing and carpet vacuuming we did, eventually the white started turning grey... and downright black in the areas he liked to sleep!

Of course, the pad may have one advantage: is the cover washable?

-- SS
 
ShapeShifter said:
Wow, a white cushion for a black dog. :eek:

...

Of course, the pad may have one advantage: is the cover washable?
Nice catch SS, actually that cushion was the only one we had (at the time) on a chair that the dog loves so we just started using it in the house. We now have an Army Green cushion in the truck and a Sunset Orange and Gold one in the house. The covers on those things are unfortunately not washable, but I've made the suggestion to my wife that we should think about making a cover for it.

 
Hey All,
I spoke with the manufacturer about the split version, and I also have a couple of pics. I was fortunate enough to get to test a protoype, and it works great. You can use either piece by itself and the other stays stowed nicely while allowing you to use one of the seats at the same time. The price is more, but not much, It is $179 shipped.
Deck picture 1
Deck picture 2
Deck picture 3

I just receive my split model yesterday. I believe it was the first production and it seems great!
I'm not going to post pics is looks just like Ahhnuld's. The only difference I may have noticed (it's hard to see) is that mine has a small knotch on the inside edge of the 60 side to allow it miss the 40 seat cushion easier. I also love the fact that it fits into the window holder on the midgate so it's always available.
 
We decided to get our seatbacks coded with the non-skid material and were reviewing the thread to see what was new. Visited the Cargo Deck website to get some info and it has been completely redone. There is now a 60/40 version of the deck and a 60/40 version that hinges off the Midgate. Looks pretty neat. We use the cargo deck all the time and love it so we're going to go and look at the hinged version. Think it might be time to upgrade. Will post more info after we check it out.

Here is the website address:

http://home.ix.netcom.com/~teweaver/vmsite_001.htm

:) :) :)
 
Howdy- and hooray for Venture Marketing! One of the first items mod I bought was the cargo deck and I would not give it up. I wrote to the company after receiving mine and asked if they had a split version- and 5 months later, here it is. Wow. Yes, expensive, but it has worked flawlessly since purchase and no skid, no slip, nothing falling into the space when seat is down- just works as advertised. I was hoping they would offer "just" solely a 40 side or a 60 side which would be a compliment to the full version. I have written then again and if lucky pehaps by year end they may have one available. This is well worth the cost even if it is high priced- what would the pet vet bill be if the family animal broke something in the back seat and it tends to keep them from moving all the time. If the split versions are comparable to the original full version any buyer will love it.
 
This is nothing against the Cargo Deck, it looks like it does it's job well. But if you're honestly worried about your family pet, then throw a blanket or a cushion in the back for them to lay on. Try laying on the back of the folded seats yourself (even with the cargo deck) and see if you'd be comfortable for even a 15-20 minute ride. If the cargo deck covered the entire back of the seats there would at least be a smooth surface across the entire area, but it doens't. It just covers the hinges, which is a great start for keeping things from falling in there, but doesn't make for a "bed".

This is for exactly what the name says.... "Cargo", and does a fine job of it. But if you're going to have your dog ride on top of the folded seats, at least have a care and toss them a cushion. And no, I don't care how many stories you can tell me about your dog in the back without one. Dogs are the most loyal creatures in the world and most would happily lay on a bed of nails for the chance to be with you in the truck no matter where you are going or how long they have to endure it.
 
Just had the latest version of the Cargo Deck installed-the hinged version. Attaches to the midgate and folds up out of the way when the seats are raised, or can be removed when you fold the midgate down. Also went with the Bullhide coating on the seatbacks. Looks very clean, functional. Installation took about 30 minutes. Great mod. Available through Rocky Mountain Accessories.
 
This is a pretty cool mod, but I don't like the idea of sending out my seat backs for "non-skidd" coating... plus, it is still an un-even surface.. Nice product otherwise... :)

I have taken a much different approach, and I have built the "Mid-Deck" to overcome these issues... at about **HALF** the price!! If anyone is interested, let me know... Feedback so far on the product has been wonderful!

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?board=16;action=display;threadid=14014
 
Finally got our seat backs coated with the non-skid material. Was a great decision. Now when we throw stuff in the back it doesn't slid around or scratch up the factory seat backs. The dog also loves not sliding around.

We also got the new hinged version of the Cargo Deck installed. Is this neat. It hinges off the mid-gate and is split 60/40 like the seats. No need to remove it unless you need to drop the midgate. Then it is quick and easy with a quick release hinge, and you store it in the midgate. Great design. Installation was easy also, only took about 30 minutes. The Cargo Deck is also light, easy to manage and looks like it was designed by GM for the AV.

Can't image wrestling a 3'x4' piece of plywood with carpet on it as the posting above sugests. Sorry "bmontini" but my vote is for the Cargo Deck. Well worth the $$.

:) :) :) :)
 
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