Mazda Cargo Concerns - 103 cu. ft.

[schex]

http://schex.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/mazda-5-cargo-concerns/

Linked from my blog, I'll be driving my 09 Mazda5 from Arizona to Guaymas, Mexico, then on to LA, and finally taking the AlCan up to Delta Junction Alaska, a 5K+ trip.

Cargo space is a concern, and I've come up with a solution, though how it will hold up over the long haul remains to be seen. Since I spent a bit of time here "researching", I thought I'd share.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3412698915_b356dd8a3f.jpg

[x10dude]

That is just insane! First I thought you were kidding, until I read your blog. :)

Make sure you blog on your trip and let us know how it holds up.

[bgibb68]

all i can say is (boom08) but (cool)

[was98strat]

(wow) thats a lot of stuff. Remember as you load up that the rear hatch is only made of plastic!! I'd be a little concerned about that bag pulling down on the top of the plastic hatch!

[skyhawk]

It is good the MAZDA5 is not alive. Neighbors might be tempted to call SPCA. :).

Serioiusly, the owner's manual does mention maximum loading of the vehicle.
I'm not sure about cargoes exceeding the length of the vehicle.

[Mazda5wannabe]

I'd be concerned that the bag will rub off the paint! Otherwise it's a clever solution.

[schex]

Good point on the weight. What is the absolute manufacturer recommended max?

In my case, I believe I have some leeway, since I'm "only" 200 pounds, the wife is half that and the kids are 50 pounds combined. Add the spare tire (40 pounds) and cooler (?30 pounds?) in the interior and we're up to 420 pounds total. The roof box will be carrying about 120 fully loaded, and the saddlebag will probably be about the same. All in all, 660 pounds of additional weight, which really amounts to what 4 full sized adults would weigh.

[coolmazda5]

Nice, never seen that option before, but if it works (naughty).

I hope you've seen this thread, you'll like it and might even find tips (feel free to post more pics as well!):
Mazda5 interior/cargo flexibility photos (http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123681816)

Guaymas seems relatively close to the US border yet Mexico now has a good bunch of Mazda dealers, including Sonora, so take note just in case you need anything:
http://www.mazdamexico.com.mx/mexico/distribuidores?state=SON&x=12&y=9

Canada, you should not have an issue finding a Mazda dealer or workshop ;)

And don't forget to keep your car on sight everywhere you travel to and to take the backpack (so to speak) to the hotel with you overnight. The "foreign" license plates (in Canada and Mexico) make it a very attractive target :D

[coolmazda5]

The roof box will be carrying about 120 fully loaded, and the saddlebag will probably be about the same

That is what I would check, the roof rails max. weight allowed. It is just attached to the roof, nothing else, and the box on top and the saddlebag hanging in the back are applying forces to the rack in all directions...

For the rest of the car, the weight should be OK, I don't see a major issue (apart from making it heavy and slow ;))

[schex]

According to the instructions, max weight for roof racks is 165 lbs. I'm not a skilled enough engineer to know if I'm within that tolerance level or if it applies to downward or lateral force, but I figure I'm close enough.

[skyhawk]

I saw the sticker in the pillar. it said max load 1020 lbs.

[switek]

Have fun at the border. :)

[coolmazda5]

According to the instructions, max weight for roof racks is 165 lbs. I'm not a skilled enough engineer to know if I'm within that tolerance level or if it applies to downward or lateral force, but I figure I'm close enough.

I would not know either but I would follow a simple approach: be sensible when loading the saddlepack, try to keep it as light as possible (avoid the nice-to-take extras) and check often (daily?) how the racks' base is holding up (i.e. the tightening screws seem very small). Again, you are holding a couple of heavy things on the rack and that, along with the drag coefficient at cruise speed, should add good stress to them...

[morethan5]

Cargo space is a concern, and I've come up with a solution, though how it will hold up over the long haul remains to be seen. Since I spent a bit of time here "researching", I thought I'd share.

You are serious about this, right?

Would a small trailer not be more aerodynamic, have a lower center of gravity, carry more, be safer (to you and other drivers) and have a higher probability of success?

I realize you have a concern about voiding the warranty, but it looks like you're well on your way to exceeding the vehicle's rear axle weight, and likely gross vehicle weight rating -- which should be far more of a concern than a warranty.

A $100 trailer hitch, a $300 Harbor Freight Trailer, and $100 dollars at Home Depot would net a reasonably large enclosed volume, with only 50 lbs. of tongue weight.

If that's too much, maybe U-Haul will cut a weekly deal on one of these: http://www.uhaul.com/trailers/sport-trailer.jpg

A trailer will add ~300 lbs. of weight that needs to be accelerated and decelerated -- in addition to the cargo, yet all but ~50 lbs. is on the trailer's axle. If you can safely drive what you've shown, a trailer will be no problem.

Good luck.

[Zoom5Zoom]

ok here is my 2 cents


It looks like an over sized shoulder bag with 20 pairs of shoes. It is the most un safe looking system I have ever seen. I assum sharp turns left or right won't send this flying....

It just does not seem safe.

[schex]

Thanks for the input. And I am definitely serious. There's only one way I'm getting this vehicle and all this stuff back to Alaska.

Regarding the weight, if I were carrying 4 full sized adults then I might be approaching the recommended weight limit of 1020 lbs., but as it stands I should be coming in around 700. Also, the weight does not appear to be concentrated on the rear axle, as it will be distributed evenly if not more to the front inside, more to the front on top, and only 120 lbs on the rear bumper.

I tested this setup the other day with the box and bag attached. I did nothing but take very sharp, overly quick turns with hard braking, and the rear bag didn't seem to move. Heck, I even got the tires spinning/squealing a few times. There are straps on the bottom that you attach under the bumper, and they seem to do a pretty good job of preventing swaying.

Also, the bag will largely be out of the windstream. I don't imagine freeway driving will have much impact on it. Anyway, I've had to resort to these measures due to a rather uncommon situation which most people probably won't find themselves in, but I can at least serve as a guinea pig for anyone who might have similar aspirations. Besides, I've seen much more questionable arrangements in Alaska. This will fit right in.

[MEATSPIN]

Is there going be any issues with the rear bag covering your license plate?

[schex]

There's one on the front. Not sure on the regulations however. If it becomes an issue, maybe I could display it in the rear window.

[professorhank]

There's one on the front. Not sure on the regulations however. If it becomes an issue, maybe I could display it in the rear window.

Can't tell, isn't your rear window tinted? If so, probably won't be able to easily see the license plate anyways.

I'm with zoom5, looks unsafe. But if you insist on carrying that much stuff and using that bag, have you considered putting the bag up on the back part of the roof? Therefore the weight is on the roof instead of hanging on straps off the back. Don't know if you can move the cargo box forward a little to give you more room. I think you can remove the antenna. With those straps, you might even be able to route them under the hatchdoor and secure them on the inside back corner cargo latches. Just a thought...

[starlightmica]

How about a trailer hitch + Thule hitch box? Not cheap, though.

http://www.thuleracks.com/images/products/665C.jpg

[schex]

I half tried putting the bag on top, however it did not feel very secure from up there at all. Trust me, it is much more secure on the back tailgate where it was designed to be. Like I said, it didn't move much during my initial test drive once it was fully strapped down.

I did consider the hitch with a cargo carrier, but decided against that route in the end due primarily to finding the saddlebag. I also considered towing a small trailer, but the roads past Edmonton tend to get a bit bumpy, and it might be more trouble than it was worth.

The saddlebag has better or comparable cargo area (14 cu. ft.) to most hitch solutions, and I'll only be hauling luggage (2 suitcases and a couple of army duffel bags) plus any other "soft" detritus that needs to be stuffed in. It can also be easily detached and brought inside, something you can't do with a trailer.

I wonder though, if I did decide to tow a trailer, how much total cargo space I could get...(attn)

[morethan5]

The neat thing about the saddle bag is that long after the trip is over, you'll still think about it -- each time you wash the car and see what a moving lumpy bag can do when there's dirt under it.

[tnmz5]

Have you considered this (http://www.ups.com/) or this (http://fedex.com/)?

If I were to see your get-up on the road, I would surely move as far away from it as possible. It just does not look safe. Yes, it may have stayed in place on your short jaunt around the neighborhood, but you are talking about 1000's of miles on roads that you don't know the condition of. My guess is that you would do major harm to the paint job on the back of the 5 as well as a couple of traffic stops by eager Hypo's.

Just my 2 cents.

[bootman]

You are serious about this, right?

Would a small trailer not be more aerodynamic, have a lower center of gravity, carry more, be safer (to you and other drivers) and have a higher probability of success?

I realize you have a concern about voiding the warranty, but it looks like you're well on your way to exceeding the vehicle's rear axle weight, and likely gross vehicle weight rating -- which should be far more of a concern than a warranty.

A $100 trailer hitch, a $300 Harbor Freight Trailer, and $100 dollars at Home Depot would net a reasonably large enclosed volume, with only 50 lbs. of tongue weight.

If that's too much, maybe U-Haul will cut a weekly deal on one of these: http://www.uhaul.com/trailers/sport-trailer.jpg

A trailer will add ~300 lbs. of weight that needs to be accelerated and decelerated -- in addition to the cargo, yet all but ~50 lbs. is on the trailer's axle. If you can safely drive what you've shown, a trailer will be no problem.

Good luck.

+1 on the hitch and trailer.
Much more safe for you and for other drivers behind you if something where to happen.

[morethan5]

Have you considered this (http://www.ups.com/) or this (http://fedex.com/)?
...
Just my 2 cents.

Excellent suggestions.

[morethan5]

This doesn't help much, unless you're moving a second set of tires, nor is it going to help the weight distribution, but I saw this on a Miata a while ago -- and thought it was interesting.

It's probably pushing the weight limit of the hitch, but where else would you carry racing tires when commuting to events?