Maximum depth ,the centre,is 54 cm....

Thank you - you're a real friend!

Thanks for all the replies - very useful. Might be a bit of squeeze especially as we have to fit my daughter and all her stuff in the back as well.

Oddy that does not sound too good for the daughter sitting in the back with all her stuff and the dog. Surely a back seat would be more comfortable for her

OK, The depth front to back of the parcel shelf is 57-60mm. Just checked. Add or subtract a couple mm depending on the recline of the rear seat. Hope this helps.

Hairball - All info is useful. Thanks.

Further to #14 above, for the sake of clarify now that I've got an actual Yeti to play with.

The shelf support pin (the pivot) is some way back from the front edge of the shelf. Thus, as the back edge of the shelf goes up when the door is opened, the front edge goes down.

I hope you can see that there's narrow panel angled downwards immediately in front of the pivot - this is rigid. Below that is another narrow panel (slightly wider) that's hinged to the first one (limited movement) by the covering material.

Allowing for the second panel to bend without undue pressure, the actual clearance here with the shelf raised drops from 400mm to 350mm.

So our new suitcases, bought to fit into 440mm (the nominal clearance under the shelf proper), only go in with the shelf lifted an inch or so to let them clear the cill; once in, they don't allow the shelf to lift on its cords. I'm going to have to remember to disconnect them so's not to strain anything!

Bri, I think part of your problem is caused by the spare wheel. AFAIK the floor is higher than those without the spare.

On my (as yet unbuilt) car I have gone for the non spare option and the fancy variable floor, which I suspect will give greater overall depth.

None of this will help you of course....

No problem, really, just a matter of getting the best for our particular needs out of what's available. Yes, I went for the spare (the last tyre trouble I had was the damn thing disintegrating and there wasn't anything left to squirt goo into). That brings it just about on a level with the door cill, which makes it easier handling stuff into and out of the boot.

Apart from the need to slip the holiday suitcases in under a slightly-raised shelf, it's good - they're a snug fit, no waste space above, and generous space beside them (about 450mm wide) for backpacks, boots, wet gear and all the rest of the usual stuff.

Cheers, thanks for speedy replys - great help !