SeatRack has come out with a new accessory that makes it easier to transport long items in your SUV or wagon – things like wood boards, PVC pipes, a ladder, a surfboard, and other items that normally wouldn’t fit inside.
The SeatRack kit (model SRA-01) comes with 2 brackets that slide into your passenger and rear passenger headrest slots. It looks like the posts are adjustable, to make them compatible with a range of vehicles with different headrest post spacings.
Both cargo bars come with hold-down straps and protective covers, and a zippered storage bag.
There’s a weight limit of 25 lbs for each cargo bar, for 50 lbs total.
In addition to being able to hold wood boards, the SeatRack brackets can hold other long narrow items, like PVC pipes.
Or larger items, such as a ladder.
The SeatRack can accommodate the company’s optional (available separately) camera and accessory mount.
Made in USA.
Price: $130
More Info(via SeatRack)
First Thoughts
The first thing that comes to mind is to ask whether this is safe. I suppose it’s user beware. I would use something like this in my SUV, but would take proper precautions, such as driving slower than usual and ensuring the cargo is all secured down really tight.
It’s important to point out that the SeatRack is designed to be used in an SUV or wagon that has open rear cargo access. It might be possible to use this in sedans, or other vehicles, but the length of the cargo you can use it with will be greatly diminished.
Of course, you must be able to remove passenger and rear passenger headrests for SeatRack cargo posts to be used.
While you could always attach certain types of cargo to a roof rack, this system looks easier to use. There is a downside – you lose at least 2 seats when the SeatRack is used.
I also like how the company makes optional camera and accessory brackets. We have a mirror attached to one of rear headrests, for keeping an eye on our son when driving. It sags and slides around, requiring frequent readjustment. You’ll see similar complaints on the web about pretty much every model.
Having an attachment point like this would be a lot easier to use. Plus, it would be handy for mounting a camera for those funny “first time in a tunnel” moments and similar.
I’m optimistic about the SeatRack. It looks like an effective and easy to use design, and isn’t prohibitively expensive.