Is the cost of the SUV Kit a turn-off?

[cadblu]

No windows on the cargo top is a non starter. Dogs need to look at the scenery, bark at other pickups, and leave visible nose prints on clear glass.

 

[sodamo]

No windows on the cargo top is a non starter. Dogs need to look at the scenery, bark at other pickups, and leave visible nose prints on clear glass.

Given the stated goal of reduced number of parts was hoping the side walls of SUV and cargo might be the same just window vs non window inserts.

Depending of other differences, https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rv+windo...s_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_ci_hl-bn-left_2_9

 

[Twisted Santa]

I initially thought I would want the SUV / cargo kit option for a camperish option, but for 5K I think I’ll just go with the open back truck and wait for an aftermarket truck tent option to give a little more sleeping room.

 

[phidauex]

Softopper will be very likely to make a topper for the Slate if it is popular enough. They are quite handy - they fold out and fold up quickly, you can roll up the sides if you want, and lots of options for mesh or vinyl windows. I've had one on my Tacoma for over 10 years and while it doesn't look brand new, everything on it works well. Only real downside is that you can't lock/secure it, and the vinyl windows don't stay very clear for long (though you can buy replacement window panels).

https://softopper.com/products/softopper-toyota-pickup/

 

[AZFox]

I initially thought I would want the SUV / cargo kit option for a camperish option, but for 5K I think I’ll just go with the open back truck and wait for an aftermarket truck tent option to give a little more sleeping room.

That's cool!

FWIW there's company called Gazelle that makes a 4-person "hub tent" you can set up in 90 seconds.

To be fair, those are "marketing seconds" because they don't count putting down a "footprint" tarp or clipping on the rainfly.

I learned about it from someone I met who car-camps almost every weekend, and has for years.

Before he got the rapid-deployment tent he slept in his SUV rather than messing with a tent. Now he prefers deploying the hub tent + a cot whenever the location is amenable.

 

[E90400K]

They may offer a Soft Top option of some kind.

Seriously though, I bet Bestop will make a Slate soft top kit at some point. Bestop, as most know, is an OEM supplier and aftermarket supplier for Ford and Jeep, among others. They easily could engineer and manufacture a soft top for the Slate SUV kit in the $2,500 to $3,000 price range.

 

[MotoGary]

I’m only interested in the SUV version of the Slate. It’s going to be the replacement for a 2-Door Jeep Wrangler I used for my “fun” around town vehicle. Top and doors off in the Summer.

 

[cadblu]

Hopefully they will change their minds about windows in the cargo kit. It seems to be a popular request.

Yes. For such a highly anticipated option, it's interesting to note that the cargo kit, by itself, is not yet shown in the Slate maker. I'm wondering how much less the "open air kit" will be compared to the SUV kit which was revealed as $5K during the Q&A episode. The price difference in those kits will reveal the 'net cost' of the hard top. It's also interesting that they show the open-air kit as a standalone option, yet it's included in both the square back and fastback SUV versions. Finally, I think the navigation on the whole "slate maker" thing is awkward and they need to start pricing out these options. Apologize if this turned into a rant, but anxiety and my blood pressure is running a bit high.

 

[SparkYellow]

No windows on the cargo top is a non starter. Dogs need to look at the scenery, bark at other pickups, and leave visible nose prints on clear glass.

It seems that the cargo kit is more for commercial use. The only fleets of EV vans that I am aware of are those with Amazon. Slate Cargovan would be great for smaller outfits that need to maximize storage capacity in an enclosure. The interior height would be critical though.

It would make sense that the SUV kit can be with or without seats and other components, just like how other aspects of slate are à la carte.

My dogs will ride in the front cab. The 23-lbs gal in the passenger seat, and the 8-lbs grandpa chi-mix in the footwell or between the seats. Before losing his eyesight and hearing, he was my copilot in the MINI, NA Miata, and SA RX-7.

Sometimes I fantasize about a life with half a dozen of furry 4-leggers... I worry about the vet bills though, there's not much DIY when it comes to their medical needs. 😬

 

[sodamo]

It seems that the cargo kit is more for commercial use. The only fleets of EV vans that I am aware of are those with Amazon. Slate Cargovan would be great for smaller outfits that need to maximize storage capacity in an enclosure. The interior height would be critical though.

It would make sense that the SUV kit can be with or without seats and other components, just like how other aspects of slate are à la carte.

My dogs will ride in the front cab. The 23-lbs gal in the passenger seat, and the 8-lbs grandpa chi-mix in the footwell or between the seats. Before losing his eyesight and hearing, he was my copilot in the MINI, NA Miata, and SA RX-7.

Sometimes I fantasize about a life with half a dozen of furry 4-leggers... I worry about the vet bills though, there's not much DIY when it comes to their medical needs. 😬

Having had 6 boxers for a few years, that is a valid concern. Only 3 now and they need the enclosed back, be it SUV without seat & rollbar or cargo with windows, wife has a real affinity for sitting in passenger seat.

 

[SparkYellow]

Having had 6 boxers for a few years, that is a valid concern. Only 3 now and they need the enclosed back, be it SUV without seat & rollbar or cargo with windows, wife has a real affinity for sitting in passenger seat.

Let's wait and see! There are so many possibilities. The cargo kit will at least have windows in the top half of the back hatch like all cargo vans. Will probably need to set up a platform for the dogs to see out of those windows. You can also install windows of any size/shape pretty much anywhere on the walls. I went with no-build builds, but it is typical to cut, drill, and customize.

 

[KevinRS]

The cargo kit was at least originally intended to be a fleet option, that's why they didn't add it to the maker. It seems there has been enough interest that they will probably add it when they do a big update in the next few months, adding more options, and adding pricing.
Cargo vans like the Rivian ones Amazon is using have serious interior height, meaning you can walk through them. So I think Slate is just in a different class. Moving parts between auto parts stores for customers to pick up, sure. Delivering flowers, sure. As a work truck for a painter, plumber, etc, sure. But for a mass delivery company, I don't think it has the capacity.