Sliding Cargo Deck

[CptKirk]

The sliding cargo deck is one of the most useful things about my new 4Runner. I personally love it and everyone who has seen it has thought of all kinds of benefits to having it. I don't see how it takes up very much room, you lose a couple inches in height, but do you really stuff your cargo area so much that you can't see out of the back window? If so, why not just buy a van?

I second that. The sliding deck is great after a long hike. You pull it out, sit on it to take your boots off, listen to a little music, drink a beer, eat a snack. It also makes the entire bed flat when you fold down the rear seats (if you remove the divider).

 

[chimyz]

My ARB fridge fits perfectly on the thing, and I can nuzzle it right against the divider so nothing moves around. It make for easy loading and unloading of the fridge which typically has always been a pain in the back, especially when fully loaded.

 

[ladywolf]

i found a new use yesterday.....setting 5 year olds on it while you dig splinters out of their hands......without them screaming bloody murder in your eararty:

 

[fins]

Actually, now that I'm getting an idea of how to use this sill looking thing...(LOVE the tailgating table idea) I think that I'll leave the tray as is and live with it for a little while...as long as my dog doesn't mind.

It would turn out to be a really nice surprise if I actually end up liking this feature. Which I would have never thought possible.

If you do like the tray, why? and do you have other uses for it?

So far we have:
*Changing Table
*Tailgating Table



Thanks all!

let's not forget how useful it is to get in and out of golf shoes. beats sitting on the bumper and getting your ass dirty from bumper grunge!

 

[Jtraskell]

let's not forget how useful it is to get in and out of golf shoes. beats sitting on the bumper and getting your ass dirty from bumper grunge!

Here, Here!

 

[RyanE]

I can't get over how many people complain about this option. My neighbor's pickup has a slideout tray that I've envied since I saw it. Giving up this option in order to get the 3rd row for the expanding family hurts. If you're over 30, your back wants you to have the slideout tray...

 

[jgedmond]

I can't get over how many people complain about this option. My neighbor's pickup has a slideout tray that I've envied since I saw it. Giving up this option in order to get the 3rd row for the expanding family hurts. If you're over 30, your back wants you to have the slideout tray...

I don't mind the slide out tray, but I fail to see any great advantages to it. It breaks up the smooth floor line unless you remove the stopper thingy and creates a bunch of little useless spaces around it. I don't change diapers, don't have 5-year olds, don't tailgate, and gave up golf. I am way over 30 and can still pull luggage out of the hatchback.

I miss my double decker from the 4th Gen - much more practical for packing for road trips. I put all of the emergency and off-roading stuff under the double decker with the luggage on top. Everything stayed in its place and easily accessible. I hated to pay $125 for it in 2003, but grew to love it - not so sure about the sliding tray.

 

[LWN]

the height of it doesnt bother me...i carry a portable toolkit and a couple of other minor things in teh back........i'm still trying to figure out how to situate it without the stuff sliding EVERYWHERE. even if i put the toolkit behind the sliding tray, it will shift one way or another then it crashes over at inopportune moments (yes i know i could remove it but i believe in being prepared). thats my only dilemma.

I love the sliding deck & divider - I find it holds my toolbox & recovery kits exactly where I want them, as per these pics...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...re/58866-remove-cargo-divider.html#post520849

 

[mountaindog]

I don't mind the slide out tray, but I fail to see any great advantages to it. It breaks up the smooth floor line unless you remove the stopper thingy and creates a bunch of little useless spaces around it. I don't change diapers, don't have 5-year olds, don't tailgate, and gave up golf. I am way over 30 and can still pull luggage out of the hatchback.

I agree - at first I thought I wanted the sliding cargo tray until I actually saw how it worked, then I realized the gap it creates when opened out is not useful if you already have dogs or stuff sitting in there, and it takes up too much room if you have big dogs who want a big flat area when the seats are folded flat. Also, for tailgating, it didn't seem like it slid out that far off the bumper to be that useful to me, and when we tailgate/picnic somewhere, our dogs are usually relaxing inside the cargo area - again, that gap issue. I was happy to find an SR5 with leather that had no sliding cargo tray.

 

[Quentin]

the height of it doesnt bother me...i carry a portable toolkit and a couple of other minor things in teh back........i'm still trying to figure out how to situate it without the stuff sliding EVERYWHERE. even if i put the toolkit behind the sliding tray, it will shift one way or another then it crashes over at inopportune moments (yes i know i could remove it but i believe in being prepared). thats my only dilemma.

Make a way to fix the toolbox to the tray. I kinda wish I had it for being able to mount a fork-mount bike tray to it, flat floor for sleeping in the back, and just yesterday, I loaded all my recycling in the cargo area. It would have been nice to set all my bins on the tray and just push it back.

It does work well as a baby changing table--have used it a lot for my 2 1/2 year old and my 5 month old. Other than that, I haven't found the sliding tray very useful. Once the kids are a little older, I plan on removing the sliding tray and installing third row seats.

Not going to be possible to add 3rd row without great expense. The middle row on 3rd row models is on sliders and can move back and forth. The middle row is completely different, in fact. The "tub" for the cargo area is totally different as well. You'd be best served to just buy a used one that has the 3rd row, sadly.

 

[ladywolf]

Make a way to fix the toolbox to the tray. I kinda wish I had it for being able to mount a fork-mount bike tray to it, flat floor for sleeping in the back, and just yesterday, I loaded all my recycling in the cargo area. It would have been nice to set all my bins on the tray and just push it back.

I would except its one of those plastic craftsman toolboxes where all the bits and pieces have their own designated spot. i think its time to figure out a different method of organization i'm thinking.

 

[Quentin]

I would except its one of those plastic craftsman toolboxes where all the bits and pieces have their own designated spot. i think its time to figure out a different method of organization i'm thinking.

Why not make a wooden "organizer"... that is basically a tray w/ a lip around the perimeter w/ 1" dowel rods sticking out the bottom. Drill 4 holes that match the dowel positions into the cargo tray. Wah-la your toolboxes stay in place and it is easily removable.

 

[ladywolf]

i'm thinking a bigger plastic bin....or maybe a bungee cord or two.....i just havent really sat down and taken a decent amount of time to really think about it and figure it out yet anyhow....plus during the week i almost live out of my 4 runner, so every time i clean and organize it, its guaranteed about 2 hours later i want something and inevitably go digging for it again, and my nice clean freshly organized t4r is messy again.

 

[Jackson4Runner]

Tray Table: Need Dog Mattress for Cargo Area and Rubber Mats for Cargo Carrying

I think that I'll leave the tray as is and live with it for a little while...as long as my dog doesn't mind.

I, too, was worried about how the dogs would like the sliding cargo tray, but our 125 lb Giant Schnauzer curls up on it and loves it! I love the tray, because it reduces back strain loading and unloading things into the cargo area. Also, we move flat containers of food often (for parties, etc) and the tray feature is great for loading and access.

I would like to find a rubber/waterproof mat system that will work with the tray.

For longer trips with the dogs, I've wondered if we could find a mattress to fit to make the entire cargo area a comfortable bed.

It would also be great if the tray could be removable for some tasks.

Thoughts and suggestions greatly appreciated.

J4R

 

[Tedward]

check this link out for a mat for your sliding deck: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/63686-husky-cargo-liner-installed.html

 

[mountaindog]

I, too, was worried about how the dogs would like the sliding cargo tray, but our 125 lb Giant Schnauzer curls up on it and loves it! I love the tray, because it reduces back strain loading and unloading things into the cargo area. Also, we move flat containers of food often (for parties, etc) and the tray feature is great for loading and access.

I would like to find a rubber/waterproof mat system that will work with the tray.

For longer trips with the dogs, I've wondered if we could find a mattress to fit to make the entire cargo area a comfortable bed.

It would also be great if the tray could be removable for some tasks.

Thoughts and suggestions greatly appreciated.

J4R

Hi J4R - I don't have the sliding deck, so can't help in the waterproof mat system, but for a comfy dog bed/mattress, I use one of the faux fleece quilted type dog crate mats (the kind with the rounded bolster edge) on top of the husky cargoliner I have. I have really big dogs so use the largest size dog bed they have, which just about covers the entire mat and sits just inside the lip. These beds are really easy to wash too.

I also often use an inexpensive comforter or two, either an old one from the house or one from someplace like Target (I found a King comforter onsale there recently for $25, compare that to the price of a dog bed). If it is a King, even better as you can fold it in half and make it thicker. It provides decent protection for underneath, you can cover almost the entire area, and it is easy to wash. I can't wait to sleep back there myself on my next trip

 

[Ryan_S]

For longer trips with the dogs, I've wondered if we could find a mattress to fit to make the entire cargo area a comfortable bed.

dog duvets

the huge sized square beds fit perfectly between the wheel wells.

 

[mountaindog]

dog duvets

the huge sized square beds fit perfectly between the wheel wells.

Wow, those are great Ryan_S, I've never seen those before, very reasonable price, thanks for the link. Great way to use old pillows or blankets!

 

[LVpoolplayer]

Sliding rear cargo deck w/underneath storage

Is Toyota still offering the sliding rear cargo w/underneath storage on the 2014 models? I ordered a Trail Premium back in March and it is coming in next week, but the dealership is telling me that is does not have the sliding cargo w/underneath storage and they have not given me a truthful answer as to why. Does anyone have any updated info in regards to this?

 

[mdrudy]

Is Toyota still offering the sliding rear cargo w/underneath storage on the 2014 models? I ordered a Trail Premium back in March and it is coming in next week, but the dealership is telling me that is does not have the sliding cargo w/underneath storage and they have not given me a truthful answer as to why. Does anyone have any updated info in regards to this?

Yes, as far as i know. I purchased a Trail Prem about 3 weeks ago and it has the sliding rear cargo tray with under storage. I bought it off the lot though and didn't special order it. I think i did hear somewhere that the cargo trays were hard to come by, but then again i heard so many tales and mistaken information that it made it hard to believe them about anything! Good luck with your new ride...what color and other options did you get?