Drive with lift glass open?

KMeloney · Nov 14, 2024

I shattered the glass of my ‘09 slamming it closed on a cold night. Burst into a million pieces. Scared the crap out of me.
Hopefully the glass in these models is a little sturdier. But I rarely ever pop the rear glass after that episode.

Fless · Nov 14, 2024

I picked up some wood a few weeks ago in my '04 and left the glass up with the wood sticking out. Short trip, just a couple of miles, at in-town speeds. I have newer struts on the glass and it stayed up fine. Not many bumps along the way, though. YMMV

Joseph Garcia · Nov 15, 2024

Brand0n said:
Tried searching with no luck online or here. Is it okay to drive with the rear lift gate glass open? Need to fit some lumber in the back and wasn’t sure if it would risk breaking the glass or not. Manual isn’t clear either.

Thanks!

I have done it a number of times without issue. I wrap around the wood in a towel or moving mat, so that the wrap material contacts both the top of the door bottom and the window bottom. And then, take the slow and careful lane to get to where you need to go with the wood.

Jetskier77 · Monday at 11:05 AM

It can be done, but the window needs to be tied down (not left in the full open position) and cushioned against your load for shock. It needs to be able to move slightly to avoid banging up or down as your vehicle experiences bumps going down the roadway. If you tie it down solid without some sort of cushioning, it can shatter. Been there done that

PatDTN · Monday at 12:54 PM

These vehicles mostly have a tow hitch. Lowes and Home Depot have trailers. Around the places I've been some pl especially even have a truck you can rent by the hour.

PG01 · Monday at 1:51 PM

PatDTN said:
These vehicles mostly have a tow hitch. Lowes and Home Depot have trailers. Around the places I've been some pl especially even have a truck you can rent by the hour.

Believe it or not many people are afraid of trailers…

EddieC · Monday at 4:30 PM

Ever notice how the rear glass gets dirty?
There is a vacuum back there when driving and it will bring the exhaust fumes into the cabin through the opening.
I wonder how many kids were put to sleep in rear seat of the old Vista-Cruiser type wagons.
You could do like our dogs and hang heads out the side windows though.

I can fit 8 ft pieces kitty corner in our 08 Tahoe but I took out the rear seat on week one and leveled the rear foot well with plywood and 2x4 platform to make ours a cargo van.

I would jump at the chance to have an old suburban though.

Brand0n · Monday at 5:10 PM

PatDTN said:
These vehicles mostly have a tow hitch. Lowes and Home Depot have trailers. Around the places I've been some pl especially even have a truck you can rent by the hour.

Fair point. Not afraid of trailers (have pulled a handful) just was looking for the easy route!

Drive with lift glass open?

KMeloney

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Fless

Joseph Garcia

Jetskier77

TYF Newbie

PatDTN

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PG01

EddieC

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Brand0n

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