Full boat tail on a Matrix

[Phantom]

If you remove the hatch you could build one that you can open the window into the back leaving the rest of the boat tail stationary.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Phantom

If you remove the hatch you could build one that you can open the window into the back leaving the rest of the boat tail stationary.

That would be my recommendation as well.

Or you can have a side panel swing open, and this could be used for packing things into the back of the car.

You would need to investigate the entire rear portion of the car and determine how many attachment points are in the area, and how strong these points are as well.

This investigation will take some "metal engineering" and may take several days to "absorb" all the finer points of what/when/where concerning just how the extension is going to be attached and how strong things will be.

Do you want to keep any modifications from permanently altering the vehicle so that they can be undone if necessary. This is how all the changes on the Insight were planned.

I don't know how thick the sheet metal is back there, but the Insight was pretty thin and aluminum too, which is typically only 1/3 the strength of steel, so attachment points were critical for the project.

Mike on the aerocivic had the liberty of being a little more aggressive, since his additions were more permanent.

Jim.

[endurance]

Something I recently found on Deal Extreme might be useful in any number of applications including allowing you to not necessarily retain a rear window, but still retain visibility: A rearview camera for under $60 with screen. I'm thinking about picking one up just to play with for removing a side mirror or two. They have other options, other cameras, other displays, but this one comes as the complete package.

Just something to think about.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

You would need to investigate the entire rear portion of the car and determine how many attachment points are in the area, and how strong these points are as well.

If Weather Spotter would use the trailer hitch as a mounting point to take most of the weight, the boat tail could be mounted really solidly.
The additional mounting points would do little more than keeping it pointed in the right direction.

[Weather Spotter]

Originally Posted by euromodder

If Weather Spotter would use the trailer hitch as a mounting point to take most of the weight, the boat tail could be mounted really solidly.
The additional mounting points would do little more than keeping it pointed in the right direction.

Bingo!

I would like to make it reverseable like all my other nods.

Using the triler hitch should allow me to hopefuly just use the two hinges that hold the hatch. I do not think there are any other good mount points- lots of plastic.

[endurance]

Love the hitch mount idea. It also makes it easily removable for those times when you need to pull the trailer, too. Otherwise, once you mount any 7' extension, you're going to lose the capability altogether. Brilliant! Can't wait to see it.

[botsapper]

Resurrecting an old thread but here's an idea to give an ever-shrinking smaller vehicle dims. some additional storage & an aero boat tail treatment. See the Thule swing-away hitch box.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcQLdn9lKEU

[Weather Spotter]

well at this point it is only an idea that might change or it might not depending on if I have spare time.

My next step will be to try to get a rough shape figured out. Hint: photo shop me some ideas

Then I will look how I want to make the structural parts, how about a steel cage frame (think winter decorations, nice open but sound mechanical) then I could over lay with foam, sheet metal or lexan depending on where and what I have.

Any ideas on how to design the frame to put most of the weight on the hitch?

[Weather Spotter]

that box looks nice but not at $600 outch!

That idea might work but I think I could make my own for cheaper

[botsapper]

This is ecomodder.com, DIY is much more interesting! ...dunno about coroplast const. though.