Hey all. Hope you are out wheeling this summer!

Is there anyone out there who makes some kind of anti-theft cargo net that can be thrown over gear in the back of a Jeep, that cannot be cut with a pocketknife? I've got the Tuffy cargo box, but I can't have the backseat hardware installed at the same time, so when I have passengers along I have to remove the box, install the seatbelt and mounting hardware, etc. in other words it's a PITA. I want to be able to keep the backseat hardware installed, fill the Jeep with camping gear, then park it downtown for a couple hours and not have something walk off. It would also double as a tie-down net when things get rough.

I was envisioning some kind of "net" made out of stout cable that locks everything down into eyebolts, or some kind of cut-proof webbing (cable cored?).

Someone must be selling something like that, or someone in here has already built it themselves.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: walkabout,

I don't know about the net, but here's what I'm doing: I bought a 35"W x 17" D x 12" H tough plastic box at Wal-Mart and I'm just going to drill a couple bolts though it and an aluminum plate with a couple of washers. Bolt it to the floor. I'm leaving all the hardware for the backseat in. The box fits around, over and between it. I stick my essentials or camping box (have two actually, and will bolt both in) in, bolt it down - secure as a trunk basically. Then I can just unbolt them and pop the seat in when I have passengers.

Yeah that's not a bad idea. I wish Tuffy would have designed their cargo box to fit with the seat hardware in the first place.

Asked Raingler if they could make a net out of cable, they were intrigued but can't do it with the machinery and manpower available atm.

I might have to draw up and crimp together something of my own design- I can't believe nobody has made something like this yet... I mean, why make a cargo net that can be cut with a pocketknife? Might as well secure your gear from the bumps as well as the theives.

Found another place that specializes in all kinds of nets, might have them whip something up. I'm thinking about a 3x6 version made out of this stuff that I can lock with padlocks at whatever length I want:

wire rope nets

OK scratch that stuff, it's too heavy and not flexible.

Now I'm looking at THIS cool stuff:

EXOMESH

A net made out of that stuff would be perfect! Better yet, a 3x6 tarp with that inside it.

That looks great - it would also be a good cover for stuff you might put on a rack. You could also just make a tonneu cover out of it!Secure it at four points with some type of quick latch...

What about using something like the PacSafe net/bags? They're sold in sm/md/lg sizes by REI etc. for security a pack or duffel to a secure object. Relatively cheap solution ($60-80).

Large PacSafe

Just a thought.

BlackJack

quote:

Originally posted by ThisSideUp:
That looks great - it would also be a good cover for stuff you might put on a rack. You could also just make a tonneu cover out of it!Secure it at four points with some type of quick latch...

EXACTLY.

The PacSafe company uses Exomesh in their products, that's where I found it. The large bag is nice, but it would be problematic for throwing over variable sized loads or racks, etc. I did send an email to Exomesh requesting that they develop a tarp, and got a reply stating that they are persuing the idea but it will take time to develop.

An Exomesh tonneau cover that could somehow be locked would be the ticket!

You could build this with a little fabrication and creativity, assuming that you can get a custom sized sheet of the exomesh:

One sheet of exomesh about the size of the tub. Include two or so flexible bars like a regular truck tonneu uses, to keep it upright and over everything - not flapping around or in such a configuration that you have excess with a small load. Run rods alond the sides, weaving through the mesh like a chain link fence does. The flex bars mount to the rods. This is the frame that you'll attach to four hook-type mounts. The mounts are what I'm not 100% sure about. I'm thinking of something like a closeable, lockable loop. You could then secure each of the (four, maybe?) closeable mounting loops, mounted to the bed or side of the tub, with a padlock. This way, you'd only have two locks to unlock, then you can just swing the assembly over and get to your stuff. You'd probably want the exomesh covered with a layer of plastic or somthing to keep it from rubbing sensitive material, like your paint, when it's down. OR on whatever you're carrying.