DIY Cargo Barrier

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Haven't been able to find anything on this but has anyone made their own cargo barrier?

I can't fit a full height one because of my custom drawers so I'm thinking of making one. My plan is to bolt it to the top of the drawers at the bottom and to the rear grab handles at the top (same as full height barriers).

As I don't have a tube bender I was thinking of using a series of straight pieces cut and welded then weld the mesh on (need to dust off the MIG first). Looking at using something like 19mm square tube and 3mm mesh.

I'd appreciate any tips anyone can give me.

Thanks

[timmay5.7 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmay5.7]

Unless you find a cargo barrier cheap, and cut it up?

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Unless you find a cargo barrier cheap, and cut it up?

I thought about that and the only ones I can find are over east I know I could get one custom built by someone like Autosafe but I don't want to pay a huge amount for it

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Just been out pricing things up.

20x20x1.6x4m tube in Bunnings $40.70 - In local steel supplier $17.60

25x25x2.5 Mesh (1.2mx2m) $38.00 So I'm looking at just under $60 all up (plus paint etc).

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

Mate I'm watching with keen interest and look forward to seeing if this is possible.

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Mate I'm watching with keen interest and look forward to seeing if this is possible.

Anythings possible Micheal, just down to if it's worth it At the moment it looks like it is for me. For the sake of $18 for the frame I will probably give it a go then add the mesh if it seems OK.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

I made one out of a bit of weldmesh/ARC? fence. It extends from floor to roof and is bolted to the home made shelves/drawer set up in 3 places at the bottom. At the top I have it secured by the 3 inertia reel seltbelts for the rearmost seats using shackles/ubolt thingies.The top section is the top section of the fence which makes it a bit less flexible. Doesn't rattle and doesn't move-cost nothing [fence picked up on council clean up].Obvously it is not ADR compliant but i bet it is as strong as the expensive ones in keeping stuff out of the front in the event of a prang. Neil

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

As I don't have a tube bender I was thinking of using a series of straight pieces cut and welded then weld the mesh on (need to dust off the MIG first). Looking at using something like 19mm square tube and 3mm mesh.

I'd appreciate any tips anyone can give me.

Thanks

If you want a professional look and rounded corners without the aid of a tube bender or rollers, you can cut a series of slits going through one side + top and bottom of the square tube and then bend it and welding up the cuts. The more cuts and the finer the cut the smoother the bend, quite time consuming but a good result can be had; especially if you grind the welds flat using a polyfan disc.

No reason I can see why it cant be done so long as you have the tools, the time, and a bit of skill.

Cheers Andrew

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Thanks for the ideas Neil and Andrew.

I like the idea to get the bend - sounds like a long project though

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

I've decided to give it a go and have made up a template for how it will fit. I don't have rear aircon or curtain airbags so don't need the cutouts:

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Had a play with Visio and came up with this from my cardboard template:



I plan to make the frame from a single length of 20x20x1.6 tube, the angles shown are how much I need to cut out to make the bend. Once it's bent to shape I will weld it all up then look at adding the mesh. Currently looking at 25x25x2.5 for the mesh.

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Just realised I'm going to have to put some cut-outs at the bottom so that the sides on my drawers will still lift - lucky I realised before I started cutting

New diagram:

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Made a start today. All cut to shape and mostly tack welded together. Next step is to hold it flat and finish welding. I've checked the fit in the car and it's just what I wanted

[ondaboat Coopers Pale Ale Find all posts View Profile Close ondaboat]

Looking good so far Treckie, should have it done by sunday.

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Looking good so far Treckie, should have it done by sunday.

Thanks mate, I hope to get the frame complete on Sunday but I haven't picked up the mesh yet so that will have to wait