Hey, I just got my 08 pat sport and I love it. My question deals with the rear cargo shelf. I do think it is a great idea and the spare is very accessible, but how much weight can that thing hold? I need to pick up some material that weighs in at about 600 pounds, and I just do not think that plastic shelf will hold it.

Not too sure...but depending how long this item is, you better be cognisant of that kind of weight resting on the back of the seats if you fold them flat.
I would be worried about the weight bending some of the mounting brackets.

600 Pounds! What can you fit in the back of the Pat that weighs 600 pounds? I think it's safe to say putting that much weight, concentrated on the plastic plate is not a good idea. Maybe fold down the seats and put a piece of plywood in to distribute the weight a little, or, if this is a regular thing, maybe have a piece of 7/8 plywood cut to replace the plastic.

600 LBS ! I would recommend against that. Dawson has a good suggestion regarding using plywood to distribute the weight.

If any of you looked at the Dodge Nitro when you were perusing Jeeps, you'll remember that it has--as an option--a slide out platform for loading! If I were into regular hauling in my Patriot, I'd make something like that!

If I remember correctly from when I was researching before I bought mine, I believe it said 250lb capacity. Of course this is going from memory so the number might not be exact, but it is definitely below 600lb.

If any of you looked at the Dodge Nitro when you were perusing Jeeps, you'll remember that it has--as an option--a slide out platform for loading! If I were into regular hauling in my Patriot, I'd make something like that!

I've thought about something like that, an interchangeable 'gear' system so that I could quickly swap out gear for the use at hand. Have one set for camping, one for work, etc. 'Course, the only problem is having that spare tire under the gear, so that would have to move (roof or swing-out on bumper), which would leave more room for gear storage in the back. Ooooo, maybe a fresh water tank for camping.

Dawson, that's a great idea (Freshwater tank where the spare is)

That's about as low a centre of gravity as you can get without using the passenger footwells...

Yes. I've thought about having a reserve fuel tank built in there too. Know what's retarded; I was watching 'How it's made' the other day and they were showing how personal water craft are made. They have a 14+ gallon gas tank, LARGER THAN THE PATRIOT!!!!! I've also thought of using that space for mounting a carputer to manage the entertainment system and record from a roof-mounted PTZ camera, but that's an expensive mod.

maybe get you a small trailer or something. You can pick one up for a couple of hundred at harbor freight. Save the wear and tear on you interior.

I'll be picking up 13 boxes of nails - 50 lb each - on Wednesday.

Let you know how it goes with 650 lb

( or at what point I stop and make a second trip)

You may want to find out what the maximum weight the Pat is rated for. I once used my Escort to haul concrete blocks and blew out my rear springs.

Total weight of passengers and cargo is rated to 950 lbs. You *should* be OK, although that 950lbs is assumed to be evenly distributed. I would take it easy and don't go far!!

Just put a couple boxes in the rear seat, a couple on the floor, a couple in the passenger seat floor, and the rest in the trunk. No worries.

I had 5 bundles of shingles in the back seat yesterday and still had plenty of pothole bounce...

I've got a buddy helping out with his 4Runner.

Sorry, you won't be getting pictures of a busted up FDII. :)

I noticed just above the plastic base there are some notches for a rear sub shelf or cover. Is there an accessory upper level shelf for the tail gate on a Pat?

I know Pontiac Torrent has such a feature.