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.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

And this brings me to my biggest problem with the Slate...I need it now! Because it will not be available until 4th quarter 2026...my home projects are backing up. One of my first trips with my Slate will be the serve-yourself lumber yard.

 

[cadblu]

And this brings me to my biggest problem with the Slate...I need it now! Because it will not be available until 4th quarter 2026...my home projects are backing up. One of my first trips with my Slate will be the serve-yourself lumber yard.

While I share your enthusiasm, I’m not expecting delivery until early 2027. And I also have an early reservation. Reason being, even if deliveries commence in 4Q26, logistics still need to be worked out. I’m on the east coast roughly 800 miles from the factory. Slate hasn’t yet announced drop off points or secured parking fields where the trucks will be staged. This could take another few months to complete. I sincerely doubt if Repair Pal sites are equipped to manage deliveries. So I’m guessing Feb / March ‘27 to have a Slate in my driveway.

 

[cadblu]

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.

Slate has already announced its service partnership. So the logical question is, when will the delivery partner be announced?

If I get a vote, I would like to see Carmax or better yet, Carvana. I can’t wait to see my Slate coming down the vending machine! And I will take videos and post them here 🙂

 

[sodamo]

I’m hoping we see the delivery partnership announced soon. Really don’t think it needs to be after manufacturing has started. Should be in place on day one.

 

[KevinRS]

Drop off points and staging areas don't have to wait until deliveries start, I expect they have some preliminary work on that already done, but at this point, they are from what I've seen, currently they are finishing building the line to start test production early next year, so in the next few months.
I'd expect that they get those test and cert vehicles produced Q1, maybe it takes 6 months to get all the testing done, meanwhile they ramp up the line and produce vehicles for demo and test drives. Once they have all the approvals, they will start producing for sale, and will want to build up some stock before launching.
Probably in 3-6 months we see more on delivery locations, and we should hear more details on accessory pricing and an expanded line of accessories by then too, and soon after they start offering people to convert to orders ahead of delivery Q4

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

While I share your enthusiasm, I’m not expecting delivery until early 2027. And I also have an early reservation. Reason being, even if deliveries commence in 4Q26, logistics still need to be worked out. I’m on the east coast roughly 800 miles from the factory. Slate hasn’t yet announced drop off points or secured parking fields where the trucks will be staged. This could take another few months to complete. I sincerely doubt if Repair Pal sites are equipped to manage deliveries. So I’m guessing Feb / March ‘27 to have a Slate in my driveway.

Good point, however I am only 230 miles from the plant and 10 miles from their HQ. So I am optimistic. Also based on my experience with my Model 3. Just after I figured that I was about 9 months to a year out from delivery, I get a call saying that if I wanted one now, all I had to do was drive to Ohio...the grin is still on my face. Also note; Slate does not suffer from Elon time...so far, what they say is what they do.