tub-style liners,WeatherTech,emptying? Spilling? Leaking?

[nusrat]

Having done years of research before buying my used T4R, I knew about the floor-mat / gas-pedal / accelerator problem. So when my T4R came with only the stock carpeted mats, I quickly went to Amazon to buy the "Genuine Toyota" all-weather mats, which I had seen described someplace as being a revised model which was specifically designed to avoid the pedal problem.

But they still leave too much of the carpet exposed around the edges, and I also think they're too shallow. (See Customer Review of Genuine Toyota PT908-89090-20 All-Weather Floor Mats ).

So, when I saw WeatherTech's 2008 Toyota 4Runner Laser-measured FloorLiner (versus their "ordinary" flatter mats), it looked like they would cover more carpet and also hold more snow-melt.

Then I searched the forum for related posts about pedal interference, and found this recent very informative (and sometimes funny) thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/239392-weather-tech-floor-mats-warning.html

From that thread, it seems likes owners who have these high-walled WeatherTech liners feel that they're safe to use with un-hack-sawed pedals. But my question is:
When these liners get even slightly full of snow or water, how do you empty them without spilling onto the carpet?
And doesn't accumulated water leak through the holes for attaching the retainer clips?

 

[Trumpet]

The unspoken truth is you must cut away the bottom weather seal on the doors so the water drains while drifting the corners.







/jk

:guitar3:

 

[WRENCHHEAD]

wet/dry vacuum

 

[cflipper]

i live in an area where i get pretty heavy snow fall in the winter i kick my feet off before i get in the snow melt usually just evaporates on the mat or like someone else said shop vac works great. as for the holes for the retainer clips i can't i have seen any water leak into them. the mats are great

 

[fayewong]

Having done years of research before buying my used T4R, I knew about the floor-mat / gas-pedal / accelerator problem. So when my T4R came with only the stock carpeted mats, I quickly went to Amazon to buy the "Genuine Toyota" all-weather mats, which I had seen described someplace as being a revised model which was specifically designed to avoid the pedal problem.

But they still leave too much of the carpet exposed around the edges, and I also think they're too shallow. (See Customer Review of Genuine Toyota PT908-89090-20 All-Weather Floor Mats ).

So, when I saw WeatherTech's 2008 Toyota 4Runner Laser-measured FloorLiner (versus their "ordinary" flatter mats), it looked like they would cover more carpet and also hold more snow-melt.

Then I searched the forum for related posts about pedal interference, and found this recent very informative (and sometimes funny) thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/239392-weather-tech-floor-mats-warning.html

From that thread, it seems likes owners who have these high-walled WeatherTech liners feel that they're safe to use with un-hack-sawed pedals. But my question is:
When these liners get even slightly full of snow or water, how do you empty them without spilling onto the carpet?
And doesn't accumulated water leak through the holes for attaching the retainer clips?

Important question for you, was your pedal already cut off per recall and dealership done it for you for free?

If it was already done, I think pedal stuck issues would be the least of your problems if the mat is hooked on right. (and don't be like another guy who put the weathertech mats on existing factory mats)

 

[ZiaMan]

Answering your initial question. Assuming the weathertechs are 2x1.5 ft and .5" deep, that would give you 216 cubic inches, which is just shy of a gallon. I've never encountered having that much liquid quickly being brought into a liner (that's across personal and emergency response vehicles from search and rescue to fire fighting). I think it you have 1 gallon, you'll probably have a lot more, and if you have less, you'll have much less.

How you would get it out? There are holes in some for the anchors. If you don't have that, you'll prob spill while trying to pick up the liner. Best way would be vaccuum or fold a tarp and spill it on there (look up salvage cover folds).

 

[nusrat]

ZiaMan... "never encountered having that much liquid... you'll prob spill while trying to pick up the liner".

Yes, that was exactly my concern (not about having a gallon). Even with only a cup of liquid in the liner, I speculate that it would be impossible to pick it up to dump outside the car, without bending it in a way such that the water would spill inside.

 

[nusrat]

fayewong... "was your pedal already cut off per recall?"
I just now inspected the pedal. The grooved pad is 3 inches long. From feeling it and looking at it, there's no obvious sign that it has been cut. When completely depressed, the bottom of the grooved pad reaches the floor, at a point about 3.5 inches from the "Genuine Toyota" all-weather mat.

 

[nusrat]

fayewong... "was your pedal already cut off per recall?"

Just today discovered Owners site, toyota.com/owners/parts-service/history ,
and found
4/27/11 90L CAMPAIGN ~|~PERFORM 90L CAMPAIGN ~|~CAMPAIGN COMPLETED ~|~PERFORMED ACCEL PEDAL & FLOOR SURFACE MODIFICATION

 

[nusrat]

ZiaMan, cflipper,WrenchHead --
1. Got this email from WeatherTech:
"When installed properly, the hooks will keep that hole tight enough to keep the elements out. As for removing the liner when it is full or liquid or snow, they are flexible enough that you can bend it in the middle to allow the mess to keep from spilling over the sides."

2. I'd like to be able to vacuum the mats without needing a wall-plug. I haven't found a 12-volt (or rechargeable) wet/dry vacuum which is well-regarded by previous purchasers. The weakest wall-plug models I found are "peak 1.75 hp", which is about triple the limit of my 400-max-watt inverter.
The 4Runner manual says that the max load is 100 watts for the 115 VAC outlet, and 120 watts for the 12 VDC outlets.

 

[nusrat]

WeatherTech update, retainer clips DO leak.

Update, retainer clips DO leak.
Had my first serious spill this week, 15 fluid oz (450ml) of coffee. The cup hit the floor toward the front of the mat, the lid came off, and the liquid sloshed forward and then back. At my first chance I pulled over to empty the WeatherTech "floor-liner". When I carefully removed and emptied the mat, I saw that coffee had leaked through one of the retainer-clip holes, forming a wet stain about 1.5 inches (4cm) in diameter. Unfortunately, due to frequent precipitation here, and a crappy partially-paved driveway, the mat already had a fair amount of leaf-litter and soil in it, thus making the stain muddy.
At the moment, the only way I can think of to combat this in the future is to place Handi-Wrap and a shop-rag under each hole. A lot of trouble, but way less than removing this damn stain will be.
btw, I *did* eventually find an inexpensive 12-volt wet-dry vac, and it works great. Tested it by vacuuming out an 8-ounce (237ml) cup of water.