Foam panels under trunk?

Maybe this is obvious, but stow what you want to stow, then put a blanket or bubble wrap on top of the items and make it high enough to support the platform. As long as you don't put anything heavy on that side, it should suffice.

 

Time to get rid of that foam and make something that will support the cargo area, yet free up all that room. I'll be working on it because I can't stand wasted space.

 

Any chance somebody could post a pic of the area in question?

 

Maybe you could cut a sheet of plywood to size. Then cut out a piece and slap some piano hinges on it for access. Let the flap lay on top of the spare for support. You could use the cargo matt to trace onto the plywood to get the right size.

But there's not really a lot of room next to the spare. And you'd want to coat the metal with something so it doesn't get scratched up.

 

After looking at this the problem that I see is that there is no lip on the sides of the cargo area that would support a sight platform and allow you to remove the large foam pieces. Poor design on Toyota's part. Gen 3 Prius has a much better design in this area.

 

Another possibility that occurs to me based on what someone else said would be to use some plywood and mount a 2"x2" that will rest on the rim of the spare to support the center of the platform. Should be sturdy enough to handle most things laid on top of it.

 

Then we only have a couple more generations to go before we get a good solution..

 

i 2nd for a pic.

i could make a little platform for you. material isn't too expensive. i noticed you're in los angeles.

did they do away with the plastic flooring? i assume it's the same thing as the other prius. if there is no cargo area, then it probably touches the tire or something under there or else needs no bracing. (i've put extreme amounts of weight on my cargo floor and it's only supported by the edges)

 

I had the same thought. I'm attaching some pictures, but it's kind of hard to see what's going on. You lift the panels and it looks like there's lots of empty space in and around the spare tire. Then you realize that the foam panels are molded with protuberances that exactly fill all of those spaces.

I was thinking about cutting away the middle pieces that extend down into the middle of the spare tire, but I'm guessing their purpose is to keep the weight of your cargo on the metal part of the wheel and off the tire.

I didn't even think about how thick the panels themselves are and how much space that uses up!

 

Yeah they definitely could have made a deeper floor which would've been awesome and more in line with the Honda Fit, BUT, then they would have had to redesign the back seat because they wouldn't be level when folded down kind of like the Nissan Versa which would probably be annoying.

 

For the record, the seats aren't totally level in the c anyway -- the trunk area is about 1-2" lower than the back of the folded seats.

 

Even with the foam pieces in place, I was able to unwind my jumper cables a bit and get them stuffed in what space there was. Not a lot of room to wiggle, but it can be done.

 

Yes, but as of now it's very minimal. It would be more pronounced if they got rid of the foam things and created the deeper floor.

 

i am very interested in creating something to replace the foam; i am trying to determine a strong/light material.

veneer plywood? is there a better option for weight and strength?

 

Why not just modify the foam

 

We promptly replaced both panels to make room for tools required 'just in case'. There is a lot of room. Just keep the foam pads for end of ownership. If you haul a lot of tools you may want to substitute air lifts for the rear shocks. I believe Monroe MA 890's are direct repalacements but check prior posts to be sure. We've done that on a couple of Prissys and on dozens of other cars dating back to the severnties. Also useful if you haul some heavyweight passengers too. zYes, they are racxe sopeed proven.check you tube. If you don't make the plastic boxes even at top make a stiff thin plastic panel to fit on top so the trunk is flat.

 

would you mind posting some photos of what you have done? what materials did you use?

 

Do you work for Monroe? If not you should.

 

Is there somewhere or someplace where I can buy these foam panels (extras)?