[Stevelach]

I got my FiST yesterday and couldn't get the load floor to go to the lower position. Today I took out the spare and noticed that the spare tire is actually larger than the cutout for it and as a consequence it is difficult to lower it into the hole completely level. I think the tire touches the sides, and not the bottom. After adjusting it to a more level position, I was able to get the load floor into the lower position.

One thing I hadn't noticed until today was that the load floor has spring loaded tabs on the sides of the baggage area which will keep it in the up position so you can have access to the lower area without having to hold it up. VERY nice!

I have one of those soft-sided foldable dog crate I use for my 70lb dog in the car, and the crate fits really nice under the load floor when it is in the upper position. This is going to be a very useful feature for me!

 

[Stevelach]

Interesting! Do you think you could post pictures of it in the upper and lower positions from the same angle for a close comparison?

Yup. I'll post more Picts tomorrow.

 

[Stevelach]

I thought I recalled seeing this topic being touched on in one of the interview video's... Where one of the engineers had mentioned that...the space below that load floor was basically due to the size of the larger spare tire.. and them not having anything "on the shelf" to fit better than the current setup. So, the result was that wasted space. I can't recall where I saw that. A little disappointing to leave I as seemingly an afterthought... But I guess if you're going to cut costs/corners somewhere.... That is better than some of the alternatives.

Neat that you were able to fit it though, was it actually level/flat when you squeezed it into the lower setting? Or did you end up with a bulge from the tire?

If only the back seats folded flat... That would make me happy.

It's not completely wasted space as long as you don't mind having an unfinished area for your stuff. With the spare in a level position and the load floor in the lower position, I was able to get the floor completely level. There is a fairly large gap between the load floor and the rear seats when in the lower position though.

 

[Stevelach]

No carpet under the rear seats. Here are some more pictures taken from the same angle.

 

[Stevelach]

"Neat that you were able to fit it though, was it actually level/flat when you squeezed it into the lower setting? Or did you end up with a bulge from the tire?"

No bulge. It sits completely flat. It does take a bit of fussing to get it to slide below the load floor mounts though.

 

[Stevelach]

Thanks for the snaps. Is the load floor "locked in" in the lower position or can/does it move around a bit?

It doesn't move around. It is held into place by friction and the tight fit.

 

[Stevelach]

It will go ALL the way down. It took some work, but once I got everything aligned it works well. It does sit on top of the spare, but is level and a tight fit!