Does the SUV kit make sense?

[AZFox]

The spare tire requires the upgraded bumper in the maker

IIRC someone asked at an event. and the Slate rep replied that the tire carrier works with either bumper.

The moody warehouse promotional photo shows the carrier clipping to a part of the upgraded bumper that appears to also exist on standard bumper.

 

[sodamo]

A bit off topic. But I've always wondered why you can't buy a topper that slides forward to expose half the bed. Imagine the bed topper worked kind of like a minivan door. Push a button and a power sliding mechanism slides the rear half of the topper up and over the front half. Now you have a hardtop CUV, except when you want the ability to reach into the (back half of the) open bed.

It's weird, and probably heavy. And expensive. And not very Slate-like. But I can see how such a thing would ideally serve most owners. Who now and then throw a few bags of something in the bed, but 99.9% of the time treat their truck like a one-occupant car.

It's kind of a compromise between a true pickup and true CUV. Not as good as either, but maybe just right for "Goldilocks the average suburbanite".

What a great idea. Seems to be a number of variations on the Aliexpress site. Wouldn’t surprise me to see a variant show up there.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

IIRC someone asked at an event. and the Slate rep replied that the tire carrier works with either bumper.

The moody warehouse promotional photo shows the carrier clipping to a part of the upgraded bumper that appears to also exist on standard bumper.

I'm such a simpleton...I get geeked just seeing the rendering on the SUV variant.

 

[sodamo]

I'm such a simpleton...I get geeked just seeing the rendering on the SUV variant.

#1 for me and the furry kids

 

[KevinRS]

I asked about that at the Olympia, WA event. They said that the spare tire will work with both the stock and upgraded rear bumper! Which is good news. Arbitrarily locking addons behind other addons feels sorta icky in my opinion

That's actually how it works on the maker, if you add the spare tire, it automatically adds the bumper. But since the maker I think was just set up to show a variety of options as they planned them initially, and hasn't been updated since, I think they are holding off on spending money on updating it until closer to launch, and things like adding the spare without the bumper may possible even if not shown.

 

[Trail Seeker]

There's appeal to having a factory-engineered top with no seats or rollbar.

For me it would be for hauling dogs and bicycles.

This is the appeal for me as well. A regional "Adventure-Mobile" if you will that can still go get the groceries or hit up the home improvement store.

I'm okay with the rollbar but I'd prefer to skip the rear seats.

Aphrodite's second-most asked question (after AWD) was about getting an SUV kit without the seats and rollbar. She said yes, and then said "the Cargo Kit is essentially the SUV Kit without seats".

I love this answer. And I really appreciate how transparent Slate is trying to be as they move development forward.

 

[sodamo]

I find the concept of SUV topper without the seats/rollbar especially intriguing if the top is easily removable.

 

[bartflossom]

Does the roll bar installation eliminate the ability to haul a 4x8 sheet of plywood? Doesn't seem to be 4' clear between vertical posts.

 

[atx_ev]

Does the roll bar installation eliminate the ability to haul a 4x8 sheet of plywood? Doesn't seem to be 4' clear between vertical posts.

yes, here is an earlier post showing detailed pictures of the rollbar installed

https://www.slateforums.com/forum/t...ety-suspension-underbody-undercarriage.12646/

 

[sodamo]

Does the roll bar installation eliminate the ability to haul a 4x8 sheet of plywood? Doesn't seem to be 4' clear between vertical posts.

yes, an a good reason to offer the non seat version without.
easier to deal with the shortness vs lack of width.

 

[bartflossom]

Thanks! Now, unfortunately, I have a different question. Will the rollbar be a necessary part of the "cargo" option?

It's possible that with the back of the cab being removed the rollbar is necessary for rollover rating, and I've read somewhere that parts of the suv roof and side attach to the roll bar. But I sure hope it isn't necessary.

 

[sodamo]

Thanks! Now, unfortunately, I have a different question. Will the rollbar be a necessary part of the "cargo" option?

It's possible that with the back of the cab being removed the rollbar is necessary for rollover rating, and I've read somewhere that parts of the suv roof and side attach to the roll bar. But I sure hope it isn't necessary.

My concern as well. so I just sent query to Slate
Is rollbar required for cargo option?
Can cargo option be configured with windowed sides?
Can the lower midgate panel be left in place in Cargo version?

 

[sodamo]

My concern as well. so I just sent query to Slate
Is rollbar required for cargo option?
Can cargo option be configured with windowed sides?
Can the lower midgate panel be left in place in Cargo version?

Answer. A bit disappointing, but I remain hopeful.

Hi David, Thanks for reaching out! At this time we don't know if the cargo option can be configured without the rollbar, with windowed sides or whether it can be configured with the panel in place with the window removed but we'll have more details on specs when we reach production. If there's anything else we can assist with, please don't hesitate to reach back out. Have a good weekend! Best, Josie Slate Agent Team

 

[Trace26]

Answer. A bit disappointing, but I remain hopeful.

​ ​ ​

Hi David, Thanks for reaching out! At this time we don't know if the cargo option can be configured without the rollbar, with windowed sides or whether it can be configured with the panel in place with the window removed but we'll have more details on specs when we reach production. If there's anything else we can assist with, please don't hesitate to reach back out. Have a good weekend! Best, Josie Slate Agent Team

The "I'm not allowed to tell you anything" response. Lol

 

[cadblu]

The "I'm not allowed to tell you anything" response. Lol

Absolutely! And I think the legal team weighs in and mediates responses from the Slate Agent team. The agents cannot commit to anything, since it might hold Slate accountable in the future.

I can envision a customer complaining..."but you said it could do this" or "yes, it has that feature" while holding up the reply from the Slate Agent. And don't expect a follow up response from them when they say: "but we'll have more details on specs when we reach production."

It's the standard, scripted response that has become the norm in customer service, now referred to as Customer Experience -CX.