Soft Pack that mounts on Hatch Glass

For all of the "take less stuff" crowd -- it's ultimately not that helpful an answer. Sometimes people need to carry more in their cars, and it's just possible they have legitimate reasons for needing to do so.

 

Thanks mikel09 for answering some of our questions and for being more upfront about things. It does seem like there are legitimate and significant concerns about the spoiler, which never occurred to me. Also, I did poke around your website and you mention the mesh mat to protect the paint, but am I correct in reading that it is somehow taped to the vehicle?!

The license plate and spoiler issues, along with the cost/quality, would be my main concerns. Also, I see now that the way the bag hangs over the rear, it would completely obscure the brake light that is built into the spoiler. And it seems that the more you try to mitigate that by hanging the bag lower, the more stress on the spoiler. Ugh!

I really want to like the Aeropack. The idea of it is perfect for what I want it for -- for example, when we stick our infant baby stroller in the Prius trunk, the trunk is pretty much unusable for anything else, and we just need something to bump up cargo capacity for trips to Grammy's house, etc. I think that if you can reassure Prius drivers that your product is well-designed FOR THE PRIUS, you could have a significant opportunity -- there really aren't any efficient cargo-carrying hybrid vehicles out there right now, unless you stop up to the significantly larger and more expensive (and less efficient) SUV hybrids. Maybe that's something you could research here on Priuschat -- just ask around and see if there's real interest.

 

Thanks for the feedback and input. My take a way is the concept is great but implementaion on a Prius has issues. (spoiler etc). I will see what can do to make changes, but the spoiler is a show stopper.
Best regards...

 

Of course, there are times you've got more things than places to put them, but two trips might be the better option. Loading any vehicle significantly beyond its stated carrying capacity is a safety issue, not only for the occupants, but for everyone else on the road.

 

If the spoiler is the the main barrier. Let me get feed back on a new approach -- a high density foam block over the spoiler to lift the straps and bear the weight, taking it off the spoiler. The foam profile would have to be wide and large enough to cover the entire profile of the spoiler.

The mesh is held in place by the bag, no tape needed.
According to the NHSTA, the 3rd brake light can be temporarily obscured with out issues.
Bike racks and rear mount hitches block the liscene plate what is different?
Tell me more about your thoughts on cost/quality.

I appreciate your feedback.
Mike

 

I think it's an interesting idea. Do you have a mockup or prototype photo we can see?

Is there a way to add some kind of bracket for mounting a rear-license plate?

 

Here is a sketch of the foam block concept. Let me know your thoughts.

There are many license plate brackets to re-locate on the web, where is the best location?


Thanks,
Mike

 

There is a customer who is using AeroPACK on the back of a Prius. He and his family are on a long East Coast trip. It is loaded with 4 sleeping bags, 4 pads and a tent. The preliminary feedback is good.

Once he returns there will be more detail on his AeroPACK experience. He has an engineering background and can provide useful, unbiased information.

Mike

 

Re: Soft Pack that mounts on back

Here is the good news from a customer.
This is a summary of a customer’s 3000 mile road trip with AeroPACK 10, on a 2005 Prius. NJ to Maine, ferry to Nova Scotia, then drove to New Brunswick and return to NJ.

“AeroPACK is ideal for getting light weight but bulky items out of the primary cargo area. It makes trips where 4 people and cargo would otherwise not be possible, doable.”

He is an engineer; here are more tips and comments.

1) Three top straps attach to the upper lift gate, and the extra webbing is bound or wrapped around the webbing straps. AeroPACK sits on the bumper shelf.
2) Two bottom straps are attached to the lower bumper lip, between the trim and bumper. Cinch the straps tight, bind up the remaining straps with strong tape or zip tie.
3) With two license plates front and rear on a Prius, there was no issue with the pack installed. They went through customs at the boarder and the East Cost with out issue.
4) The webbing over the spoiler was not a problem, on the 3000 mile trip.
5) Overall it worked well on the Prius, to carry soft gear on a long trip.
6) There was lots of interest in the bag on the trip.