06 Pathfinder - Can I drive with the tailgate open?

KSpider · Apr 4th, 2006, 09:49 AM

I am debating going downstairs and measuring the back to see if a couch I am buying will fit in, I know it would stick out the back. Is it OK to drive this car with the rear open? I have never had an SUV with a rear door like this, they have always had the bottom and top doors, not the full top one.

bender031 · Apr 4th, 2006, 09:58 AM

i dont see why not, a couple things worth noting would be
they open pretty high watch your clearances, hitting bumps may cause it to swing down depending on the firmness of the hatch struts if you are traveling fast, and the obvious fact that fumes will come into the cabin...

i think you'd be fine for a 1 time occurance, make sure that the glass doesnt line up with anything that could bang it if the hatch suddenly droops from hitting a bump. make use of those 12 or so hooks and tie your couch in so its not left on the hwy somewhere.

KSpider · Apr 4th, 2006, 10:06 AM

Thanks,

Yes I would plan on bungie chording the couch AND the hatch. The couch sticks about 10 inches out from the bumper, and of course we would open all the windows to give us some fresh air.

I have just never seen (that i can recall) a hatch like this open while driving...

Xeno · Apr 4th, 2006, 03:18 PM

I've done it witout problem. Though tie the deck lid so it rests on the object so it does not flop around on bumps.

However in reality, a cop could pull you over for having a "door" open while driving, and or object extending beyond the distance of the vehicle. Though I doubt you will ever get a ticket for that.

Animal · Apr 4th, 2006, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSpider

I am debating going downstairs and measuring the back to see if a couch I am buying will fit in, I know it would stick out the back. Is it OK to drive this car with the rear open? I have never had an SUV with a rear door like this, they have always had the bottom and top doors, not the full top one.

As I said "elsewhere", open a side window to keep the air flow going front to back instead of COing yourself.

tony22r · Apr 4th, 2006, 06:01 PM

Heck yeah, i've done it many times myself with long loads..
Just make sure you bungie cord everything down, don't let the rear hatch flop around.
Tie a red flag (or T-shirt) on the end of the long item.

Man the other day I hauled 1600 lbs of river rock in the back w/ back seats folded down. Four loads of it... Pathfinder pulled it like a charm.