How can I get some tie-down points in the back of my 2011 T4R?

[WU7X]

I am trying to figure out how to create some tie-down points behind the front seats in my rig. The storage area behind the back seats and to the tailgate will be occupied by my modified Australian Chuckwagon setup. I really don't want to remove the rear seats, just fold them down. I can use the two tie-down brackets directly behind the rear seats, but need something midway and also right behind the front seat as anchor points. Hope this makes sense....

What I'm thinking now is to cut a sheet of plywood to fit over the folded down back seats. I will cover it with matching carpeting. On it's surface I will be able to bolt down any type of tie down system I want. But I still need some way to fasten that plywood down securely directly behind the front seats, necessitating two anchor points on each side.

things that need securing in this area include: a 2-1/2 gal propane tank, several large action packers for recovery gear, tools, etc., two 6 gal. water containers, a PETT porta-potty, a small map case, two folding chairs, a small foldable aluminum table, a tent and sleeping bag/pad, and my clothes. I don't want any of this stuff bouncing around while the rig is in motion.

Any ideas?

 

[WU7X]

Here is what the chuckwagon looked like in my 3rd gen T4R. The center empty areas now hold a storage tray on the bottom and a Camp Chef two burner stove in the top. The empty area on the right holds an ARB frig on a sliding tray:

 

[Cyberman]

Any way to utilize the rear outer bolt of each seat to attach a ring on each side?

 

[WU7X]

Um....never would have thought of that. I'll check it out. thanks!

Any way to utilize the rear outer bolt of each seat to attach a ring on each side?

 

[pluton]

Large-ish carabiners or the hooks on ratchet straps will attach to the front seat---and the rear seat---floor brackets.

 

[WU7X]

Large-ish carabiners or the hooks on ratchet straps will attach to the front seat---and the rear seat---floor brackets.

Yes, I did that in the '97 T4R. Instead of 'biners I used some heavy duty nylon rope looped around the front seat brackets. The ratchet straps were connected in an X pattern diagonally across the back storage area. But this time I want to have two more centrally located tie-down points on each side of the rig so I can have two straps cross over the load parallel to each other and secure the load better that way.

 

[Clutch]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/1490-2006-4runner-Sport-w-pic-s-of-my-1st-mod-s/page5

Ryan used Land Rover tie downs from Expedition Exchange

 

[WU7X]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/1490-2006-4runner-Sport-w-pic-s-of-my-1st-mod-s/page5

Ryan used Land Rover tie downs from Expedition Exchange

thanks Clutch! I haven't ordered anything from EE in a long time. Will jump over to their site and see if these would work for me. Great idea!

 

[Clutch]

thanks Clutch! I haven't ordered anything from EE in a long time. Will jump over to their site and see if these would work for me. Great idea!

You're welcome!

 

[paddlenbike]

Like you, I needed more tie-down points in my 4Runner. I looked at all different types of cargo tie-down loops but most of them were floppy and would make a ton of noise when they weren't being used. I ended up buying some used 3rd gen 4Runner cargo tie down loops and added them where they were needed. The nice thing about the 4Runner ones is they have friction in the loops and will not flop around, even when unused.

My 4Runner had a cargo loop in each corner, but I needed them on the wheelwells. So that is where I started:

The factory hooks just go through the body with a nut on the bottom, but I added a small 16 gauge square plate on the underside to give it extra rigidity.

My next change is to add them in the backseat area like you discussed. Not sure what your 5th gen is like, but most of the floor area of a 3rd gen is accessible, which means you can add a tie down loop most anywhere you need one. (The accessibility is needed to put the nut on the bottom, unless you want to drill a hole and use a rivnut.) My wife does crash injury potential work, and she has told me about enough cases where shifting cargo in a bad accident was the cause of death, as opposed to the accident itself. That was enough reason for me to have plenty of tie down locations.

I will probably mount one on the floor on each side of the rear seat, which would allow most anything to be strapped securely to the seats when in the folded position.

 

[WU7X]

Paddlenbike,

Great ideas, thanks! One thing that really worked well for me with my 3rd gen was to remove bottoms of the rear seats. Very easy to do, just two bolts per side. when I laid the back of the rear seat in its horizontal position, I had enough room for a 6 gal. water container behind each front seat in the area the hinged rear seat bottom used to take up. I ran a ratchet strap from the outer rear legs of the front seats, through the water can handles, and tightened it down. this gave me 13 gal of water which would last two people up to a week. It securely located that heavy water load right in the central portion of the rig, and the location gave the containers a lot of protection to boot. Wish I had taken some pics, but I completely blew it off.

I understand your wife's concerns completely. this is something I am always worrying about. Again, thanks for all the great ideas.

 

[paddlenbike]

Everyone definitely needs to know about the back seat bottom cushion removal; not only does it free up a ton of space and give you a 6'4" sleeping area, it also allows the seatbacks to lay perfectly level rather than on a slight incline.

We used to remove the seat bottoms, but now we need the entire backseat area--one for the car seat and one for my wife to ride back there with the baby. The only room that really leaves back there is the floor board on one side--the side with the car seat. Great idea though!