Slate SUV kit (rear window open) on display in Sacramento

[fitsea]

I've been looking for a latch for the rear window for a while - I'm 99% sure that at this point the Slate has NO LATCH to secure/lock the rear window while on the square SUV. I thought I saw this on a pic from the Sacramento event, but I can't find the pic. There are a number of pics that show the window (in SUV mode) open, hinging on the top, with gas shocks supporting the opened window.

There's something in the middle of the glass at the very top of this photo, but it's also possible that's something in the tent structure visible through the glass.

 

[AKrietzer]

.

I think what you are seeing is part of the tent.

 

[Luxrage]

I was looking at how some other OEMs did their 'full-glass upper half' rear hatches and it seems like all of them have just the latch on the glass and the entirety of the locking mechanism built into the tailgate. I hope slate is looking at how to get that integrated into the drop-down tailgate.

It'd be as easy as drilling two holes into the glass for the through-mount of the hardware as long as they have a way to get a lock in the tailgate... that won't be used in the pickup mode. I was looking to see if I could find a pic of the tailgate down so we could see if there's any access panels on the top for future latch hardware.

Both of these examples require the window to be up to use the lower tailgate, unlike the Slate prototypes.

1st Gen Honda CRV:

GM B-Body Station Wagons:

 

[AKrietzer]

We have a Leer shell on an old Ford F-150. The back window has 2 latches that you turn, then lock. You have to open the glass before you open the tailgate, since the glass seals on the outside. I was wondering if the Slate might have the glass on the inside of the tailgate. If you notice there is a notched area on the tailgate toward the inside of the bed. So possibly the glass closes on the inside of the tailgate, you would close the glass first, then close the tailgate. I’ve tried to circle the areas on the SUV that I am talking about. There is the notch on the top of the tailgate on the inside, and it looks to me like on the sides of the top, the glass could be closed inside the tailgate . You wouldn’t need any latches on the glass, and then you can lock the tailgate to lock the top. Our Leer top has 3 latches, the way I am thinking, the Slate would only use one latch, and only one place needed to lock it.

 

[Garbone]

We have a Leer shell on an old Ford F-150. The back window has 2 latches that you turn, then lock. You have to open the glass before you open the tailgate, since the glass seals on the outside. I was wondering if the Slate might have the glass on the inside of the tailgate. If you notice there is a notched area on the tailgate toward the inside of the bed. So possibly the glass closes on the inside of the tailgate, you would close the glass first, then close the tailgate. I’ve tried to circle the areas on the SUV that I am talking about. There is the notch on the top of the tailgate on the inside, and it looks to me like on the sides of the top, the glass could be closed inside the tailgate . You wouldn’t need any latches on the glass, and then you can lock the tailgate to lock the top. Our Leer top has 3 latches, the way I am thinking, the Slate would only use one latch, and only one place needed to lock it.

Great point, keeps the cost down by designing a channel/step into the top of the gate. Put some weather stripping on the bottom of the glass to keep out water....

 

[E90400K]

Great point, keeps the cost down by designing a channel/step into the top of the gate. Put some weather stripping on the bottom of the glass to keep out water....

The Bronco has a similar rear glass hatch set up as the Slate's SUV kit. The locking, swing-out Bronco tailgate captures and locks the glass from opening. The glass hinges mount at the top via through-holes in the glass with button bolts. The gas struts mount to the inner glass surface on fixtures glued to the glass. The bottom of the glass has an elaborate plastic fixture that contains a highly contoured rubber seal and serves as part of the mount for the rear wiper, also glued to the glass. The rear glass includes a heating element and washer spray nozzle.

It looks like Slate intends to lock the SUV rear glass with the locking tailgate.

 

[sodamo]

Apparently, still much to be resolved.
got this yesterday
Hi David,

Love the questions, and I can tell you’ve really been thinking through how to make your Slate your own (the topper setup sounds great).

The SUV and Cargo Kits are designed to serve different needs, the SUV adds enclosed passenger space and versatility, while the Cargo Kit focuses on maximizing storage and utility. Final configurations, (including options like window vs. solid panels, rear seating, and rollbar compatibility), will be confirmed as we get closer to production.

Similarly, details like whether the midgate can stay in place with specific kits will come once we release final specs closer to production in mid-2026.

Appreciate your patience and enthusiasm, and I promise, the wait will be worth it. You’re already thinking like a Slate owner!
Best,

Katelyn || Slate Agent Team

 

[AZFox]

Apparently, still much to be resolved.
got this yesterday
Hi David,

[snip, snip]

Thanks for asking your Great Question, and sharing the reply.

They need to know that the Shell / (Openable) Windows / No Seats / No Rollbar / Midgate configuration is something people want.

Approximately 45% of American households have at lest one dog.

There are a lot of people who would enjoy making frequent trips to the Dog Park is a Slate Truck configured that way.

 

[sodamo]

Thanks for asking your Great Question, and sharing the reply.

They need to know that the Shell / (Openable) Windows / No Seats / No Rollbar / Midgate configuration is something people want.

Approximately 45% of American households have at lest one dog.

There are a lot of people who would enjoy making frequent trips to the Dog Park is a Slate Truck configured that way.

Thanks, totally agree.
If Slate does not make this available, then I will be forced to await a 3rd party topper vs over paying for parts I neither want nor need.
More than likely, any reduction to the total SUV price will tempt me to look other accessories.
Hopefully, someone at Slate is actively monitoring this forum.

 

[KevinRS]

Since part of their strategy is to reuse parts as much as possible, I have to figure the configuration you want will be available.
The cargo kit will probably use the same shell, and for full fleet cargo windows would be swapped for opaque panels. A mid gate is a bit trickier, but a cargo version might have an option for a mid gate or cage type setup anyway, to isolate the driver from shifting cargo in an accident.