Hi.

I am planning to install a large bit of MDF in my boot and am worried about the rear crumple zone.

It will be a raised floor in my boot that covers roughly the area under the cover. Basically be a sheet of 15mm think MDF with legs the width of the car starting from just below the boot lip and reaching about 600mm into the car, leaving a reasonable gap between it and the back seats. It occurs to me that it might compromise the crumple zone in the event of a big rear shunt. As It will likely be used on long motorway journeys (to raise the dog cage so the dog can see out) I am wondering if it is a wise thing to install?

What do others think?

Ta

Edited 23 August, 201213 yr by Steve Chilcott

Honestly, I would not do it if not terribly necessary. In (always hoping very very remote) case of a rear shunt it is not reassuring to think about a big piece of wood against the rear passengers' seats.

I would think about something different, eg four pegs bolted into the cage and into the metal boot floor, robust but collapsable in case of impact (sorry for the dog ). A good smith should find you something more adequate.

Decided to mount it much lower with a crash mat on top. Nice big gap between it and the seats.

Here you go

One Skoda waterproof boot liner http://www.skodaparts.com/product/roomster-waterproof-bootliner-2006-2011-21382

Two Large 3 Peaks Crash Mats http://www.petsathome.com/shop/3-peaks-crash-mat-dog-mattress-30822?freeText=3+peaks+crash+mat&msg=MSG_SEARCH_ONE_MATCHING_PRODUCT

Like this:

And a bit of hardboard cut to the size of the mats to got on top for the cage (currently out of sight below the top mat). She likes it as you can see..

Nice job, although I don't think you'd have had any issues.

A 'variable boot floor' is available as an option on the Skoda Octavia and this is essentially a carpet covered wooden box in the boot.

Edited 4 September, 201213 yr by silver1011