There are 5 hold down hooks. They seem to be plastic with very low capacity. When my wife made me list what we will use the truck for, on task was hauling a race/antique engine/transmission/differential. They are large items, but well within the load capacity (engine is about 500#). However, it is tall and needs to be restrained.

On the Yukon XL there are the 3/8 steel rods used to secure the removed 3rd row seat in the front and 1/4" steel loops in the rear. I've never thought twice about pulling a ratcheting tie down snug on them.

On the Armada/QX56 they appear to be plastic. They have fairly low load limits. Even if the load met those limits a shift, say during braking, could exceed the specified 110lb limit. Even the smallest 1" tie downs are rated 500-2000# depending on the mechanism and strap material.

Has anyone had a problem with them?

http://www.clubarmada.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7870&stc=1&d=1246378044

Yes, i snapped one of my floor anchors with a "hand pull" tie down - not the ratcheting type, but the type that you simply pull one end by hand. Was attempting to strap down a gas can, pulled the strap tight and the anchor snapped. And i'm not that strong. I'd think twice before i put any real load on them

Wonder how hard it would be to replace and reinforce the ones on Armadas?

That is not what I was hoping to hear.

How do you fasten a real load?

Where did the hook break, in the loop or the mount?

Does anyone know how the mount works? Is it solid, say 1/4" (6mm) to 3/8" (8mm) with a welded nut or backing washer and nut? Or is it more like a small screw, plastic thread, etc.?

Thanks,

David

Detail picture and drawing

http://www.clubarmada.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7871&d=1246418608

http://www.clubarmada.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7872&d=1246418867

i seriously doubt Nissan had a 500lb chunk of iron in mind when adding the hooks. Sounds to me like you need a crew cab Titan.

Mine broke at the thin section, the "rod" that passes thru the flat metal strap. the "chorme" loop or tie down loop is a cast material, so not very strong. I usually haul building material loads (plywood, drywall) and tools, which i dont really tie down.

that 10mm bold that anchors the tie down is threaded into a stamped piece of sheet metal that is spot welded to the body. you might be able to fabricate a more substantial look and bolt it down. not sure i'd sacrifice the interior panels or damage to motors u plan to haul. not what you wanted to hear, but that's all i know.

Those hooks are primarily for elastic cargo nest and such to hold stuff down and stop it from shifting around while driving or flying forward and banging you in the head if you slam on brakes. It isn't for heavy duty cargo.

So what do you do when you use your 6000# SUV to haul more than groceries? The was a post about carrying 4x8s hanging out the back...that needs some form of retention. Or let's say you find a nice antique chest on a weekend drive, how do you retain it?

I keep a blanket, handpull and ratchet tiedowns, a back support strap (the one they use/sell in Home Depot), and a two person lifting support sling in the truck just in case, along with a few lengths of rope. I recently used the rope to tie down a 32" TV on top of some boxes to cushion it.

Mine broke at the thin section, the "rod" that passes thru the flat metal strap. the "chorme" loop or tie down loop is a cast material, so not very strong. I usually haul building material loads (plywood, drywall) and tools, which i dont really tie down.

that 10mm bold that anchors the tie down is threaded into a stamped piece of sheet metal that is spot welded to the body. you might be able to fabricate a more substantial look and bolt it down. not sure i'd sacrifice the interior panels or damage to motors u plan to haul. not what you wanted to hear, but that's all i know.

10mm is bigger than 3/8", but if it has sheet metal threads, not very strong. Is the panel accessible for underneath? If so, a real bolt (stainless steel internal socket sounds good) could be backed up with a cushioned washer and nylon lock nut. If the loop was replaced with a loop of 1/4" or 5/16" stainless, and the clamp a stainless block, it would look fine (and more expensive) and hold at least a few hundred pounds.

If my wife would allow a pickup, it would be a crew cab duelly with a diesel. A battle I've lost continually over the last 19 years. The SUV has a lot more day to day utility, which is why the move to an QX56. However, if it can't do the work also...I have a problem.

My load bed is pretty clean after 8 years. I use plastic sheets and blankets to protect both the truck and the cargo. If something big got loose, it could cause damage, as it would in a pickup. I'd be more concerned about it hitting the driver and passengers than the inside of the truck though.

So what do you do when you use your 6000# SUV to haul more than groceries? The was a post about carrying 4x8s hanging out the back...that needs some form of retention. Or let's say you find a nice antique chest on a weekend drive, how do you retain it?

I keep a blanket, handpull and ratchet tiedowns, a back support strap (the one they use/sell in Home Depot), and a two person lifting support sling in the truck just in case, along with a few lengths of rope. I recently used the rope to tie down a 32" TV on top of some boxes to cushion it.

Hey man, I am not trying to argue with you I am just telling you what they are Made for. You do to the vehicle what you need to to secure your load. Securing a load is the drivers responsibility and the vehicle is more than capable of hauling lots of heavy loads.

Anyting large and heavy that I need to carry will be done with ease and I use the fold flat capability to get as mush of the heavy load as possible between the front and rear wheels. I also carry mats and blankets when I need to move something i don't want to get scratched up. However, if I need to carry something like a load of wood that has to hang out the back, I will not drive the same as if I would with the rear door closed and the cargo hooks at that point would be useless.

All of this stuff is common sense, do what you must do to secure your load, but the cargo hooks are not made as a ratched tie down point. If you want it to be that strong, don't blame the vehicle or Nissan, make it stronger based on YOUR needs.

I second what Blakspyda said!

As an additional note, if you would look in the Owner's Manual, you will see they are called "Luggage Hooks" and not cargo hooks.

I wasn't trying to cause an argument. Just assumed people had loads you need to secure

While you can try carefully and slowly, you can't ensure other drivers will or a mechanical failure won't occur. A traffic situation in front of you could require a panic stop. Those are situations where a loose load can cause a lot of damage.

The service manual calls them tie down hooks, the parts manual calls them "Rear body and floor, Interior trim, Hook, Wheat, Wheat Back ".

Whatever you wanna call them, they're not meant to secure an engine block, or aything similar. Lightweight furniture is as far as common sense would let me use 'em for.