Do you use the cargo cover much?

debrasnell · 10-16-2007, 12:15 AM

I picked up a 2004 Prius but it came without a cargo cover. I am wondering how handy the cargo cover may be for the Prius because of the large rear window...

Do you all use it much? There is one on Ebay that matches my interior for a fraction of the cost of a dealer replacement but if it's not used much by the owners... I'm wondering if I should bother.

hyo silver · 10-16-2007, 12:25 AM

Yes, I find the cargo cover very useful. It's great for keeping stuff hidden from view, it's handy for rear seat passengers to toss their jackets onto, and it will help keep anything stored there from flying around the car in an accident. It's too bad it didn't come with the car, but I'd say if you can pick one up for not much money, you probably won't regret it.

**Tideland Prius** · 10-16-2007, 12:34 AM

Yep... use it whenever I can.

It keeps things away from prying eyes and helps muffle some of the noise coming in from the cargo area.

Godiva · 10-16-2007, 12:37 AM

I use mine all of the time. The only time I don't use it is when I put something in the back area that is too tall to allow me to close the cover. If you can get one in good condition on eBay for a fraction of the cost new, I'd go for it.

If you don't have the original OEM mats, I'd get those too, including the one for the back cargo area.

Boo · 10-16-2007, 01:09 AM

These days, I use mine all the time --- the cover is almost always on (not rolled up). The only time it isn't in use is when I'm hauling stuff with the backseats folded down. I highly recommend getting one. It turns the cargo area into a trunk of sorts.

However, years ago, in the 1970s and 1980s, when petty crime was pretty rampant in US cities, people would hardly ever use their cargo covers when their cars were parked on city streets --- they feared that this would tempt a thief to break the car windows to see what valuables may be hidden underneath. Similarly, people would leave the glove department doors open so thieves could see that there was nothing of value there. And pull-out radios/cassette players were also popular then. Car owners would pull out the radio/cassette player whenever they left the car, and frequently have a yellow sign stuck on the car window with suction cups, saying "NO RADIO ON BOARD". And forget about leaving a baby car seat in the car overnight. It would not be there in the morning, and one of your car windows would be broken, and worst of all, you would feel as if someone had violated your child.

**efusco** · 10-16-2007, 01:20 AM

Haven't used mine...ever in 4 years. Sitting on the floor of my garage under...something.

HTMLSpinnr · 10-16-2007, 01:41 AM

Mine keeps the sun from shining directly on and baking my pilot gear that rarely leaves the car.

jiepsie · 10-16-2007, 01:46 AM

Mine is stored in the compartment under the floor, in the slot designed for it. The cargo area looks empty now, so there's less chance of someone breaking a window to steal whatever they think is under the cover.
It's not really empty though, the stuff I carry all the time is under the floor too.

Walker1 · 10-16-2007, 02:17 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(debrasnell @ Oct 16 2007, 12:15 AM) [snapback]526185[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I picked up a 2004 Prius but it came without a cargo cover. I am wondering how handy the cargo cover may be for the Prius because of the large rear window...

Do you all use it much? There is one on Ebay that matches my interior for a fraction of the cost of a dealer replacement but if it's not used much by the owners... I'm wondering if I should bother.
[/b]

Yes! It hides my stuff, keeps the sun off of groceries, and I like it. If you can get one on eBay at 1/4 the cost go for it.

Boo · 10-16-2007, 03:00 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lowlander @ Oct 16 2007, 01:46 AM) [snapback]526217[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Mine is stored in the compartment under the floor, in the slot designed for it....
[/b]

Debra,

As I said before, I use my cargo cover all the time and would definitely get one even if I had to pay retail price. Getting it for a fraction of the retail price on ebay is a bargain (tho shipping would add to that).

But reading lowlander's quote above reminds me: Could it be that you actually have a cargo cover and it's stored in the compartment under the floor?

10-16-2007, 01:09 AM	#5
Boo Boola Boola Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 4,290 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 166 Thanked 301 Times in 154 Posts Friends: 22	These days, I use mine all the time --- the cover is almost always on (not rolled up). The only time it isn't in use is when I'm hauling stuff with the backseats folded down. I highly recommend getting one. It turns the cargo area into a trunk of sorts. However, years ago, in the 1970s and 1980s, when petty crime was pretty rampant in US cities, people would hardly ever use their cargo covers when their cars were parked on city streets --- they feared that this would tempt a thief to break the car windows to see what valuables may be hidden underneath. Similarly, people would leave the glove department doors open so thieves could see that there was nothing of value there. And pull-out radios/cassette players were also popular then. Car owners would pull out the radio/cassette player whenever they left the car, and frequently have a yellow sign stuck on the car window with suction cups, saying "NO RADIO ON BOARD". And forget about leaving a baby car seat in the car overnight. It would not be there in the morning, and one of your car windows would be broken, and worst of all, you would feel as if someone had violated your child. __________________ Best regards, Tom 07 Magnetic Gray #2 - GY TripleTreds 195/60R15, BT Tech Stiffening Plate & Strut Tower Brace, Philips X-Treme Power Headlights, Webasto 4300 Sunroof, Sharkfin Antenna, Chrome Wheelskins Wheel Covers & Door Handles, BumperDefender.com Bumper Guard Strips, Body Side Moldings & Rear Bumper Protector, NoBump.com License Plate Screw Bumpers, Bumper Bully, Sheepskin Seat Cover, Leather Steering Wheel Cover, Leather Center Console Cover, Center-Hump Litter Basket, Non-Slip Pads, Dalmatian Bobble Heads.

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10-16-2007, 12:15 AM	#1
debrasnell Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 32 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I picked up a 2004 Prius but it came without a cargo cover. I am wondering how handy the cargo cover may be for the Prius because of the large rear window... Do you all use it much? There is one on Ebay that matches my interior for a fraction of the cost of a dealer replacement but if it's not used much by the owners... I'm wondering if I should bother.

10-16-2007, 12:25 AM	#2
hyo silver awaaay Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 10,726 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 47 Thanked 152 Times in 107 Posts Friends: 63	Yes, I find the cargo cover very useful. It's great for keeping stuff hidden from view, it's handy for rear seat passengers to toss their jackets onto, and it will help keep anything stored there from flying around the car in an accident. It's too bad it didn't come with the car, but I'd say if you can pick one up for not much money, you probably won't regret it.

10-16-2007, 12:34 AM	#3
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,616 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 228 Thanked 344 Times in 243 Posts Friends: 23	Yep... use it whenever I can. It keeps things away from prying eyes and helps muffle some of the noise coming in from the cargo area.

10-16-2007, 12:37 AM	#4
Godiva AmeriKan Citizen Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 10,342 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 7	I use mine all of the time. The only time I don't use it is when I put something in the back area that is too tall to allow me to close the cover. If you can get one in good condition on eBay for a fraction of the cost new, I'd go for it. If you don't have the original OEM mats, I'd get those too, including the one for the back cargo area.

10-16-2007, 01:20 AM	#6
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,231 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	Haven't used mine...ever in 4 years. Sitting on the floor of my garage under...something.

10-16-2007, 01:41 AM	#7
HTMLSpinnr Gen III Forums Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Surprise, AZ (Phoenix) Posts: 4,072 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 215 Thanked 437 Times in 196 Posts Friends: 18	Mine keeps the sun from shining directly on and baking my pilot gear that rarely leaves the car.

10-16-2007, 01:46 AM	#8
jiepsie Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 267 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Mine is stored in the compartment under the floor, in the slot designed for it. The cargo area looks empty now, so there's less chance of someone breaking a window to steal whatever they think is under the cover. It's not really empty though, the stuff I carry all the time is under the floor too.