Got rid of Floppy Cargo Cover Flap
 

One thing that bugged me every time I popped the trunk on either my C5 or the C6 was the flopping cargo cover. Even with slight breezes it would flop all over.

Always seemed like some additional tiedowns were missing......:toetap:

I noticed the hem on the bottome of the flap had a nice gap, so I picked up some 1/4" Plated Steel Rod, cut it to length, and slid it into the hem.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee314/jc2235/rod.jpg

There is just enough weight to keep it taut and straight. The length is about 42", but my choice of available rods was 3' or 6', so I had to get the 6', but at $7 I wasn't too concerned.

Anyway, thought I would share - turned out as good as I hoped, and it tucks in nicely behind the partition.

To prevent the rod from sliding out, I stuck a small piece of the hook portion of Velcro near the end of the rod and pulled the cover over it.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...2235/cargo.jpg

Great Idea!
 

Okay, you just defined my next mod. Appreciate it..

Great Idea!

I cut a piecce of decorative bamboo to length and slid it through the opening, worked quite well to stop the flapping! Since the rod you used is metal, thus heavier, I am sure it would work even better!

Great idea:cheers:

Great mod!!!! :willy:
And I can tell my wife ahead of time on this one:rofl:

:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

I HATE how that flaps all of the time in the wind.......to the point that I have taken mine out....it goes back in tomorrow with your mod installed.....thank you!!! What a great idea! I never noticed how that bottom was sewed with the seam in it.....thanks again :thumbs:

What happens when the top is secured in the hatch, does the weighted seam drop in front [towards the driver] of the partition?

Great post. Thnx for sharing. Any tips for cars w/o the partition?

It should work just fine, partition or no.......the lower portion may swing back and forth a bit but its got to beat the 1,000 ravens wings flapping of the black cover without this.........

Thanks, I'll be doing it tomorrow too.

:thumbs:

Great tip! thanks

Very, very nice. Thanks.

:lurk:

Good idea.

I do not have the partition and it works just fine!

You can also just hang the cargo cover with the flap in the rear instead of in the front. It doesn't flap when in the rear. Of course I never put anything in the back really, so not sure why I even have the cover on at all.

I have a partition (from Crazy Cowboy - love it!) and did a similar but different mod. I cut a small slit where the front elastic cord is (above the flapping fabric) and lid a 1/4-inch rod in there. That keeps that part nice and straight across the top of the partition and keeps it from flapping and causing noise at speed.

Now I have to go buy another rod and put it in the bottom like the OP ...

super idea - thanks for sharing. I was trying to think of how to accomplish the same thing and hadn't noticed the seam. know what I will be doing now first chance I get! :thumbs:

I have to go buy some pipe....

The flapping drives me NUTS!

Cool mod, used to drive me nuts. I have the partition so I just cut the flap off, the top piece runs flush with the top of my partition no flooping in the wind.

Thanks for the great idea! :cheers: :thumbs:

Buy tighter underoo's.:rofl:

Now the flapping is going to drive me nuts.. :willy:

'guess I now have an excuse to 'fix' that annoyance. :D

Here's some other ideas, too.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1122258

Try a 1/4" plastic covered cable and push it in the seam. Plastic protects from scratching and is flexible enough and heavy enough to work.

AL

i'd thought of weighing it down but you did it. cool! :thumbs:

I added a metal rod to my flap a few days after I got my car, over 2.5 years ago... it's been working just fine ever since. Only issue... it does hang down in front of the stored roof top which is fine, but when you go to open the hatch with the roof stored, the metal rod can get caught under the front edge of the roof which can darn near tear the shade. Just be careful when you open the rear hatch, often you need to just push the flap away from the front edge of the roof so the metal rod doesn't catch... no big deal.

I once tried replacing the metal rod with a wood one to reduce weight... as an experiment... no good, the wood was too light and the flap still flapped around. The metal rod is just right, just enough weight to keep it down.

Bad idea. Anything that adds weight is a bad thing.:smash:

what flap? :lol: (1LT)

MrToner, I see you have the rear hatch seperator just like me. I cut the flap completly off and it lines up perfect with the partition. Plus it looks cool when the hatch is open because it doesnt hang.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...3/CIMG0070.jpg

The flapping was really annoying, I'm going to ACE Hdwr tomorrow morning to get a rod; great idea.:thumbs:---John

:iagree:

This is confusing because the partition (i use exoticvette's) pretty much eliminates the flapping. The flap hangs behind the partition perfectly and no wind hits it. The flap is only an annoyance when the top is stowed and you have to fold the flap horizontally between the cargo cover and the upper side of the top. In that case, the rod wouldn't work at all. Am I missing something here?

I have ExoticVettes partition too. Your not missing anything, just cut the flap off. :thumbs:

I agree! :D

Great idea.

Me too. :thumbs:

TRR

Good thinking. Nice clean idea!:thumbs:

I may end up cutting it off. I had thought about it, but I am always reluctant to cut stuff without an idea of what it will look like when done.

I am going to try it with the weight for a bit.

Good thoughts!!:cheers:

Well done Joe. :thumbs: :cheers:

Great tip,thanks.:thumbs:

Vette owners let the smallest things bug them in the biggest ways.:willy: Seems the thread about vette owners being the most anal people is dead on.
I mean seriously, a steel rod through the hem to cut down on flapping?:lol:


I don't even notice my flap flapping anymore.

I bought the rear shade from Mid America that has the embroderied C6 emblem on it and it is manufactured in such a way as you can not put a rod in it.I had done this on my 05 factory shade but could not on this aftermarket one. I have the partition so I may just cut the flappin thingy off!:D

GREAT POST, WHAT A COOL IDEA!!!!!!!!!
I have the cargo compartment, not divider, made the mod today and the flap hangs behind the compartment on the cargo area side, looks very clean and nice. Have not driven at 150 with windows open yet to check it out, only kidding.
I'm sure it will work just fine, thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:thumbs: :cool: :cool: :thumbs:

I'll visit Home Depot very soon.
Thanks for the idea of the metal rod.

Thanks for the post! I thought I was missing something too.

My objection to the flapping was when my trunk was open - any breeze and the flap was all over the place.

If you routinely store your top in the back [ I don't so it is not an issue for me ] then you are better off cutting off the flap.

:cheers:

MrToner is awesome. First he comes out with the famous "E CLIPS" for popping top fix and now this ! :thumbs:

I use fiberglass rod - good combination of stiffness and flexibility

Brilliant

rod also makes for nice anti-theft device if used properly. thanks for the mod, i think i will do the same. i also had an interest in the corvette partition. how does everyone like it?

Love the partition...:thumbs:

To the OP thank you very much, that flapping cover was bugging the crap out of me as I always drive with the windows down. Will be paying a visit to the local hardware store.

Awesome it is this kind of sharing of information which makes this site the best. :thumbs:

Great Tip. Thanks

Home Depot Garden Dept
 

A 48" green round garden stake ($1.27 plus tax), plastic coated, found in the Home Depot Garden Dept works great. Push it through the flap and use any reasonable snip to cut it to length. It won't move in and out since it already has mini-barbs on it.

Terrific Idea!
 

Thanks. I really appreciate this one and I'm off to the hardware store right now!:cheers:

Absolutely love the partition. It also cuts down a lot of the buffeting with windows down or top off.:cheers:

Metal rod, car crash, no thanks.

The vendors will be selling them soon...in carbon fiber no doubt!

That is a great idea. Finally an almost free mod we can do ourselves !

:iagree: It's a good idea I'll give the OP that, but god forbid any of us are in a crash, a steal pole piercing your body or worse your head:eek: most likely wouldn't feel good :ack:

I wouldn't think it would be anymore painful than a set of golf clubs or a poorly secured boom box.

Exactly, right within the Trunk Monkeys reach!:rofl:

Now lets see if anyone can come up with a neat fix for a flopping in the wind passenger side lap belt when driving with windows down and no passengar onboard. :ack:

:iagree: Amen! That would definitely be the next greatest mod!! We really need to put our collective brains to work on this!:cheers:

Great idea! Thanks for the post. :thumbs:

ummmm, buckle it?:rofl:

Geez - once the rod is pushed into the flap, it isn't going anywhere.

And, if you have a partition, guess what the rod will hit in a crash? The partition.

If you don't have a partition, and are that worried about it, just cut the flap off......:leaving:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I was being dramatic... but maybe not... :leaving:

OH - OK..........:cheers:

I looked at a metal rod while I was at Home Depot last evening. It just seems like it will rub the top of my stored roof? :rolleyes:

I think I will try to add a couple of strips of black Velcro to each side and see how that works.

:iagree: That has been on my mind lately too. Very annoying.

Why not just buckle it up????:D

I don't store my top in the back, so I did not consider the issue with a top back there.

If it rubs, you may just want to cut the flap off......:thumbs:

I want the rod when the top is off,that is when I get the most flapping,perhaps you can close the trunk with the rod on the cabin side?:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
cool idea for sure,:cheers:

OK, I know this is a stupid question, but will that really stop it? I've put up with the really annoying flapping on more than one car for years and it has never occurred to me to buckle the dam belt. If it works, I really appreciate the tip, but I'll have to go flail myself with a whip :cheers:

:rofl:
Actually I don't know, but try it and let me know. Maybe I will patent the idea.
On a serious note, I just rotate the buckle around once, it puts a twist into it and it stops the flap.

Now THAT my friend, is an awesome fix for that irritant!! Kudos!! :yesnod:

yes...

:cheers: :thumbs:

Ouch! This really hurts!:banghead: :banghead:

wow ... i had no idea i had a cargo cover... no , really, never really looked :eek:

Patent pending:thumbs:

Great post...thanks!

:iagree:

I did this mod within about a week of delivery.
Mine with the poles you buy for marking your driveway. I put 2 caps on (one on each end)

This is a great mod. (and cheap)

Yes, But he has Z51 emblems! :rofl:

I’d hate to cut the top off. I think I will try to add a couple of strips of black Velcro to each side. I'll try that today and see how it works.

Peace ... Ben, OH


or ... I could hang a row of Z51 emblems to hold it down?

another great mrtoner mod,

i was just complaining about this on sunday when i was driving with the top off and i've even got a seperator in the back and it's still all over the place

Now you're getting personal.......:toetap:

I just did the mod with a 5/16" rod and the rod just fits into the hemming of the flap. Great cheap mod as it eliminated the distraction of the flap flapping around while driving.

Sorry ! http://www.cannondirect.com/assets/images/smiley73.gif

Same here using 1/4" unplated rod from Home Depot (which comes in 4' lengths for $3.50. Works great:thumbs:

yep
 

OK, I'll be the fly in your soup (has this opinion been posted yet?) .What will happen to the interior of your car & you when you have a wreck and that new "mod" is airborne behind your head?
You think maybe GM might have considered such a "mod" and engineered it out? :toetap:
Most people do not plan ahead, I see young mothers hauling around junk in their mini vans that are not secured down and will become projectils upon impact. Things like strollers, furniture, even a 1 gallon jug of milk will kill you in an impact if not secured.
I'd think hard about installing a metal pipe inches away from the back of my body/head. :thumbs:
As an alternative- maye a few small sandbags?
Any "expert" opinons here after my rookie comments?;) :D

I tried adding the Velcro strips to each side of the flap and they worked fine. The flapping has stopped. I'll ask my wife to sew them on; I don't think the tape would stay on very well.

The way the flap rubs the top of my roof, it seems like the rod would rub the roof too? :bigears

Ben, OH

No soup for you!!! :nono: See posts #57 & #59 :toetap:
I'm with you. It doesn't appear many are worried about the violence of an impact :cheers:

You must have the cheap seats.:)

IMHO. For that bar to hit me in the back of the head, the impact would have to be so intense that the bar would have to rip through or rip off the cargo cover and slice through both high back seats before hitting me. Not sure I'd want to wake up from that type of impact. Now, get the car doing several barrows rolls and that would be a different story.

Could I borrow your car to demonstrate?:)

:lol: :lol:

If I was you, I would not get out of bed in the morning. I mean, after all, there are satellites above our heads every day. Man.....ya never know, they MIGHT come down on top of ya when ya least expect it.

And all them durn buses and trucks on the road EVERY DAY!!!!! And the HOT water in the shower....AHHHHHRRRRRGGGGG! :willy: :willy:

:D :D

:lol:

I hope this was tongue in cheek!:rofl:

:thumbs:

Where did you get that bottom piece with the Corvette logo, I like it.