Installing Cargo Net

Well, I just found a problem with my cargo net attachment point mod and I'm pretty sure it's the reason it's not recommended by Toyota. Rotating the metal hooks so they point forward blocks the slots in the rear doorway that secure the extended tonneau cover. Hadn't used the cover until just now.

Hmm...maybe there's a way around that.

 

Caught up in cargo-net fever after installing one in our new Prius v ($23 and up -- way up), I ordered one for my Gen II ($13 and up). They attach in a different way -- by drilling a hole in the plastic trim just below the tonneau cover slots and popping in two supplied attachment hooks (available as an installation kit for about $5). I'll bet the same method would work on the v, or vice-versa, for that matter. Or, you could just follow the directions...

BTW, the rear hatch opening is about 4 1/2" wider on the v than on the Gen II, if anyone is wondering, so the Gen II cargo net will not fit on the v without some modifications.

 

I think there might be a bigger concern about rotating the hooks towards the front than not using the tonneau cover. With the hooks in that position the hook points towards the side (or rear in this case if I remember correctly), and not up. The net can more easily come unattached towards the rear. The instructions explicitly warn not to put them in this position...

(I'll be honest though, I haven't used the net yet, so I haven't experienced any knocking on my back door from stuff in the cargo net. Maybe Toyota expects stuff in the net to be leaning on the rear door in transit so it is not knocking?)

 

We must be talking about two different things because you're definitely not seeing what I am. I'm referring to rotating the metal hooks about 60 degrees forward but with the hooks still in the cutouts about one foot up on each side of the doorway. You have to switch the left and right hooks to do this. They are attached with 10mm hexhead bolts and are the hooks used to secure the the two loops at the top of the net. If anything, with the mod the net loops are more secure and less likely to detach than if the hooks are in their recommended orientation, pointing slightly backward. The only problem with rotating the two metal hooks is that the new orientation blocks the slots for the tonneau cover.

 

I think I understand, but I could be wrong. I tried the two different orientations before I finally found a parts guy kind enough to send instructions, which I am trying to attach to this post. (I'm hoping I don't get into any trouble for this...)

 

That helps...thanks. If you look at fig 1-3 near the bottom of the pdf and think what happens if you install the left side hook on the right side. You basically would be making the mirror image of the top illustration...i.e the hook still sits at the bottom of the channel and it's still facing upward just like in the top drawing. But it sits forward, not aft of the bolt hole. Unfortunately at the new forward position the hook partially blocks the channel for the tonneau cover pegs.

 

Ah, yes. I apologize. I think I remember seeing this possibility, saw that you couldn't use the cover like you say, and thought that is out of the question for me.

 

Come on folks. For an install that takes less than a minute if done properly and maybe 5 minutes to redo if done improperly, I dont understand all the discussion and machinations being done to make it work . The cargo net was the easiest install of any mod for the v yet for some strange reason gets over 3000 views?

 

Sorry, Toyota instructions tend to make you kind of obsessive compulsive!