Cargo cover options?

[alirio]

Hey everyone!

We're picking up our brand new 2010 Mazda5 GT in Red Mica this evening and we discovered that the cargo cover offered by Mazda will only fit if the third row is down...

My wife and I are moving to the Mazda5 from a Civic Sedan and we often drive around with laptops. We're used to the security/concealment offered by a trunk and we wonder what to do when leaving our computers in the Mazda5.

What would be your recommendations? Are there third-party offerings for cargo covers that fit behind the third row of seats?

Is there enough concealment offered by the Mazda5 that prying eyes won't see what's inside behind that third row?

Thanks!
Alirio

 

[mpvue]

there is some storage under the 2nd row seat cushions (though it may not be large enough for a laptop) and there is a compartment behind the 3rd row, in the floor (again, not sure if its large enough for a laptop).

 

[alirio]

The 2nd row storage will be inaccessible due to child safety seats. I'll check the room in the compartment behind the 3rd row.

Our laptops are always in backpacks, so we'll see if those can fit in there.

I hadn't considered that, so thanks!

 

[AO928]

Tint the windows. I did and it makes it virtually impossible to see what's in the back end.

 

[Tsuru]

I'm in IT and I regularly have laptops and desktops in my car. I also have to park in some pretty seedy areas of the city. Tinting the windows works wonders but I also have a dark blanket that I drape over computers when I store them behind the third row. Between the tinting and the blanket you can't even tell there's anything there.

 

[Heat]

Stuff a couple of pillows into the gap. As a bonus, you have pillows if anybody wants to take a nap.

 

[KBrian]

We carry a ratty looking storage bin behind the rear seats. Anything that needs to be out of sight goes into the bin, with an old blanket to cover the treasures.

 

[thaxman]

2nd row under-seat storage! If your kids are in booster seats already, its quick enough to yank the carseat out and stow the laptop...unless its in a bag. In lieu, what about if you slide the 2nd row seats forward on the tracks and lay the bags in the 3rd row footwell with a carpet-colored upholsty remnant covering them? This, coupled with tint should make them all but invisible. Just make sure the rest of the interior is "rental checkout spotless" so they don't break in to raid the ashtray for toll coins.

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

TO the original post:

No there is NO alternate
cargo cover out there,
you'd need to make a
custom one:

a. Buy some cloth or vinyl
and cut it and sew it to fit,
use screws or whatever you
want to secure it around the
upper area of the cargo area.

b. Get some poster board or
cardboard and cover it with
cloth or vinyl and hope that it
'fits' snug and does not fall down,
otherwise secure with Velcro,
or whatever you like.

c. Blanket. (Need not say more) (silly)

Now all of these ones already listed by
good folks are great recommendations
regardless of storing your laptop or
not because:

1. Tint windows no matter what. It just looks better (hippy)
2. Blanket, if you drive in bad weather, you've got a safety blanket
3. Carry pillows, mmmm warm and comfy.

BUT... Oh gosh, I can't believe you guys and gals have not heard of this before, there are a TON of disguises out there, mostly they stem from college kids that get their laptops stolen from their dorm rooms, lockers, cars, etc.

Now I know you are going to say "therere in backpacks" okay good, you can wrap an old nasty looking shirt around the backpack always or each time.

I know youre going to say But that requires one more step / more work, the cover I want just sits in place all the time....*pause for effect*

. Please go back to step a. above ^

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and one last one for fun... talk about security (shocked)

Ha ha, good luck!
Peace!(rei)

 

[Dphillips]

I cant be the only one with a laptop compartment behind my glove box can I?
At least thats what I think its for?

 

[x10dude]

I cant be the only one with a laptop compartment behind my glove box can I?
At least thats what I think its for?

I've tried it already. It really only fits a netbook of very very small noteboo.

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

Ha ha, good luck!
Peace!(rei)

LOL! Just the thing for the pr0n surfing commuter!

 

[x10dude]

I got a 13" HP notebook and it indeed does fit in the glove storage compartment. It's a tight squeeze but it fits.

Just another potential option in case you have a small notebook. I'm sure ALL netbooks fit too.

 

[DKaz]

What about the storage pocket behind the driver's seat? I always stow my small notebook in there.

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

THE PC ARE IN BACK PACKS !!!

Please read the entire post.

That is all, carry on. (squinty)

Peace!(rei)

 

[mpvue]

THE PC ARE IN BACK PACKS !!!

Please read the entire post.

That is all, carry on. (squinty)

Peace!(rei)

if they are in backpacks I'd take them w/ me everywhere.
seriously, it's an impossible request to have a compartment big enough to stow backpacks w/ laptops in them. build a box behind the third row or carry them everywhere.

done.

 

[wmzda5]

Buy those collapsible cloth box from IKEA they are big enough to store up to 4 or 5 knapsacks with laptops in them and you can place them in between the second row seats. It will look like a center console, just choose in black color.

 

[KBrian]

Time for some decaff, Sarge

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

Time for some decaff, Sarge

I know right? I gotta go pee now, thanks (piss)

Peace!(rei)