More carry More merry: hauling wood in pickup bed, tree on SUV top roof rack

[KevinRS]

It has also been described that you could have them installed before it gets to you, but it still won't be a "factory" installation, it would be installation at the same service providers. One possibility I've thought of is there may be some overlap between delivery and service partners. Like at some subset of shops that have both the storage space and enough orders in the area, they deliver a carrier load of cars, for buyers to pick up, and if you wanted stuff installed, that's one less step.

 

[Susan]

The way it's been explained is that you take delivery of the Blank Slate at the Delivery Partner (*), have accessories shipped to you, then it's either DIY or go have your accessories installed by a Service Partner.

That may be subject to change, but that's what has been described.


(* or pay an additional fee to have them bring your Blank Slate directly to you)

This is what the Slate website says:

https://www.slate.auto/en/personalization

BE YOUR OWN MAKER.
Buy your accessories, get them delivered fast, and install them yourself with the easy how-to videos in Slate U, our content hub. Don't want to go the DIY route? A Slate authorized partner can come and do it for you.

OR NOT.
Want the SUV kit, or a wrap? We’ll install them for you before we deliver your vehicle, for a little extra.

We'll know for sure soon enough.

 

[AZFox]

This is what the Slate website says:

https://www.slate.auto/en/personalization

[...]

We'll know for sure soon enough.

I stand corrected!

I do recall (Chris Barman?) saying it will be done the way I described it.

The reason I remember is because I was surprised to learn it was going to be done that way.

Not important to me. I'll go the DIY route.

 

[OldGoat]

I've had many years experience with roof mounted carriers for cargo, kayaks and bikes. No doubt once enough Slates are on the road, the after-market brands like Thule, Yakima and others will have roof AND bed racks galore. I will say that 165 lbs seems to be the max weight on any vehicle roof for safety. But if you are tying into the truck bed sides or using a hitch t-bar rig, you can begin pushing weights upward. I'm hoping to have one set of crossbars over the cab and use a t-bar hitch for the second crossbar. That gives serious support for my 14 foot boards and kayaks without too much board/kayak hanging out back.
But if I opt to put a cap over the bed with enough structure stiffness (like an A.R.E or Leer I'll mount crossbars directly to it. I did learn the hard way to let pros install and properly seal truck bed caps so anything inside the bed stays dry.

 

[KevinRS]

I've had many years experience with roof mounted carriers for cargo, kayaks and bikes. No doubt once enough Slates are on the road, the after-market brands like Thule, Yakima and others will have roof AND bed racks galore. I will say that 165 lbs seems to be the max weight on any vehicle roof for safety. But if you are tying into the truck bed sides or using a hitch t-bar rig, you can begin pushing weights upward. I'm hoping to have one set of crossbars over the cab and use a t-bar hitch for the second crossbar. That gives serious support for my 14 foot boards and kayaks without too much board/kayak hanging out back.
But if I opt to put a cap over the bed with enough structure stiffness (like an A.R.E or Leer I'll mount crossbars directly to it. I did learn the hard way to let pros install and properly seal truck bed caps so anything inside the bed stays dry.

That sounds like the tower racks may work for you, but all we have of them are some renderings, and no specs. It is meant to be compatible for work purposes, so I expect the weight rating to be a lot better than a normal "roof" rack.

 

[Susan]

I've had many years experience with roof mounted carriers for cargo, kayaks and bikes. No doubt once enough Slates are on the road, the after-market brands like Thule, Yakima and others will have roof AND bed racks galore. I will say that 165 lbs seems to be the max weight on any vehicle roof for safety. But if you are tying into the truck bed sides or using a hitch t-bar rig, you can begin pushing weights upward. I'm hoping to have one set of crossbars over the cab and use a t-bar hitch for the second crossbar. That gives serious support for my 14 foot boards and kayaks without too much board/kayak hanging out back.
But if I opt to put a cap over the bed with enough structure stiffness (like an A.R.E or Leer I'll mount crossbars directly to it. I did learn the hard way to let pros install and properly seal truck bed caps so anything inside the bed stays dry.

That's very interesting information. I'll be looking into these options. Many thanks!

 

[Basenji703]

If you have a 9’ kayak it should fit inside the SUV square back variant according to the CEO

Actually, the question was can a 9' surfboard be locked in the SUV, and she didn't know. A bubble popped up saying that it could (around 7:17). It was my question so I paid a lot of attention to the answer. BTW there is quite a big difference between a 9' surfboard and a 9' kayak.