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Airbags, cartop bag carrier, straps running across car roof interior

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by dpbsmith4, Apr 21, 2016.

  1. dpbsmith4

    dpbsmith4 Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    We are planning to use a Rightline Gear Sport Jr. Car Top Carrier to carry our sleeping bags and other bulky, light equipment. Rightline says specifically that it is "designed for compact cars WITHOUT a roof rack." There are two ways to secure it: with clips that go over the interior lip of the door frame, or by running a strap through the car interior. The strap crosses the interior roof of the car, across the headliner, from door top to door top. We think that second method seems more secure.

    The manufacturer's instructions say nothing about airbag safety.

    Our Prius Four Touring has "Driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags, passenger seat cushion airbag, driver's knee airbag, and front and rear curtain shield airbags."

    Do any of these airbags emerge from the roof? Does running a strap through the interior of the car, across the roof, interfere with any airbags?

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    #1 dpbsmith4, Apr 21, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2016
  2. bhtooefr

    bhtooefr Senior Member

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    Those straps will interfere with side curtain airbags, which do come from the roof:

    [​IMG]

    Personally, I wouldn't do that.
     
    JohnF likes this.
  3. dpbsmith4

    dpbsmith4 Junior Member

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    2016 Prius
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    Four Touring
    Well, I do hear you, honestly, but I'm not sure you've answered my question. There are two panels that say "airbag" on them, near the roofline, just in front of the passenger's and driver's doors. In your picture it actually looks as if the airbag emerged from one of those panels. There are other places in the car with panels that say "airbag." But is nothing overhead in the roof headliner that says "airbag." Are you saying that in addition to the places that say "airbag," there are also unmarked places in the headliner that contain airbags?

    Or are you just expressing concern that the straps might interfere with proper deployment of the airbags even though they do not obstruct any marked airbag panels?
     
  4. bhtooefr

    bhtooefr Senior Member

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    The side curtain airbags will deploy from the entire length of the roof, on both sides, as seen in that crashed car.

    This means that any straps will interfere with the airbags, as well as potentially becoming projectiles if the airbags snap them.
     
  5. dpbsmith4

    dpbsmith4 Junior Member

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    Location:
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    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    OK, thanks.