Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

Another cargo area organization thread

Trailblazer and Envoy related, but not off-road related...

by Blackout » Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:39 pm

Me and a couple buddies started talking about coming up with some ideas for the rear cargo area last night when we were watching Justified. I know I've seen a few ideas floating around the forums, and some pictures of some finished work. Just making a shout out to anyone that's built cargo area organizers (or purchased them) to snap a couple pics and post them up here. I know for a fact that mine needs to be either modular, or leave enough open space in the back for tough boxes or a wheelchair in case my sister hitches a ride with me.
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by HARDTRAILZ » Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:43 am

Great show.

I don't keep anything in the rear but a BOB and backpack w compressor and straps if I can help it.
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by Blackout » Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:01 am

Good deal, good deal. I tend to let all my crap pile up either in my apartment or back of my truck. I figure if I can containerize most of it then it won't be bouncing around and out in the open. My first thought is a home built organizer, but I might just use tough boxes and ratchet straps for a short term solution.
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by HARDTRAILZ » Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:05 am

Personally I like duffel bags or backpacks rather than totes or tough boxes or action packers. Just seem easier to deal with. Kinda puzzle when I really load up but seem to lock together if fit right. Try some things and see what works before building. Walmart plastic totes or goodwill duffels is cheap testing.
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by Blackout » Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:12 am

I have about half a dozen duffels from the army and that's a good thought too. I just like the thought of an action packer/tough box because it's top open for easy access, and the fact that I have a few of them too already. I was thinking down the road once it gets warm that I'd go more for a lid than a drawer system (or both) if I build my own unit. Bags do have a habit of being able to squeeze into each other though, I agree
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by Trail X » Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:49 am

Here's Bill's original rear design: http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=13550

Mine was loosely following his ideas, but (I think) improved upon some things:

Image

In the back cavity:

Image

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=70
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by Blackout » Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:09 pm

Thanks man. I saw yours and Bills before and for a while I've been debating just stealing your design. I'd like to come up with my own idea though and I think I have a rough outline of what I want to do, just have to see if it's manageable. Need to go out and get some measurements when it warms up next week. Planning on cleaning the truck out and getting a few pics to start a build thread too. My idea is to make sort of a rough "U" shape with two thin drawers on the bottom and two larger, removable drawers/cabinets on top of them with a cavity in the middle for a modular design. If the width makes the two larger drawers unmanageable (too thin to be worth the effort) then I might just use one on top for a rough "L" shape so I can have a cavity on the side. I'm thinking that might be the more likely scenario since I want to be able to fit a dog kennel in if I bring my pup with me anywhere long distance. I'll try and mock something up on my laptop for visuals later.
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by Blackout » Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:03 pm

Just what I've been tossing around in my head. Thoughts?


Image

Image
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by Trail X » Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:02 pm

As a test, make a quick box out of cardboard that would be the same inner size as your drawer (taking into consideration slide thicknesses, etc), and see how big it is. Mine's more than half width of the rear, and it still feels a bit confined at times. It all depends on what you're trying to carry though.
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