Often when transporting bicycles or lumber, the cargo doesn’t fit in the trunk/boot. As I struggle to tie down the lid with cord via hard-to-find holes or fittings, my mind bakes with visions of built-in bungee cords or tie down straps on spring-loaded reels.

With the addition of cushions above and below, the elastic straps would hold down the lid and help keep the load in place and undamaged.
-- FarmerJohn, May 04 2003

octopus straps http://www.provisio.../old-issu/vol-3.htm
this page states a disadvantage of the ubiquitous " ockie " [peter2, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport http://morriderir.com/letra-kangaroo.htm
Baked. The 'Sport' refers to Rolf's SUV. [hippo, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Agreed,[ FJ]. Ought to be standard equipment on every automobile with an operable trunk or rear hatch.
-- jurist, May 04 2003


pour crap on me if i missed this, but is it possible that the great southern surfing land-down-under has something that farmerjohn territory lacks?

octopus straps

elastic...hooked...form and function sympose.

they are not built in, but in the vehicles i have they're always in there somewhere. They can be mounted under the trunk lid, permanently available for when ur friends drop in, it rains and u have to cram their cycle in while you shuttle them home..
-- peter2, May 04 2003


Well actually this happened recently in Kansas (the land of Ahs) with I think a Toyota Camry, and there was absolutely nothing under the lid on which to hook.
-- FarmerJohn, May 04 2003


Remind me again 'bout this one when I get back to work.
-- RayfordSteele, May 04 2003


I feel for you (+). I have a trunk that a new-born anorexic pygmy shrew with no carry-on baggage would feel claustrophobic in.

What're needed are D-rings or other clip receptacles fitted to the rim of the trunk and lid. Why manufacturers don't do this is obvious - because heavy, large protruding loads that stick out of the trunk and prevent it closing are a hazard and an insurance liability for the manufacturer.

Likewise, I'm not about to retrofit D-rings to my trunk as it'd affect the resale value and besides, I could only bore into the trim and not the chassis, so the trim panel or screws would be ripped out if abused.

Instead, I've conceived of a trunk lid strap. This is a lever-action cargo strap with a carabiner at one end and a metal clip to fit the trunk's female receptacle at the other. I plan to replace all/part of the strap with bungee elastic, because over-enthusiastic tightening might otherwise deform the lid.

This strap would also enable a cargo net to be fitted securely to four points - the two strap attachment points and the trunk's hinges.

As far as I can see from a quick Google, this is not sold elsewhere, so a home build is the only option.
-- FloridaManatee, May 04 2003


My car has D-rings on the side walls of the cargo area just inside the tailgate, but nothing to attach a bungy to on the tailgate at all, apart from the lock mechanism. Perhaps manufacturers are trying to dissuade us from driving along with the tailgate open?
-- hippo, May 05 2003



random, halfbakery