What is a car rear shelf for?

The rear shelf is a rigid board in the trunk, located horizontally above the trunk and under the rear window. It is used to hide the contents of the trunk and provide a clear view for the driver, ensuring that the rear window is not closed. The rear shelf is a removable part to increase storage space in the trunk.

🔎 What is the rear shelf of a car?

La quarter deck car is a hard board that is in the trunk of a car. It is located horizontally under the rear window, above the trunk. Attached to the tailgate, it rises when the trunk is opened to make it easier to store in the trunk.

The rear shelf has above all security roleas it is used to hide the contents of the safe. It is also used to provide driver visibility as it is located just below the rear window.

However, the rear shelf removable... In most cases, it is secured with small retaining rings on each side of the rear window. To remove the rear shelf, simply detach these small rings, then unhook the edge of the rear shelf located at the rear seat level.

Good to know : Rear shelves are different. Thus, the rear shelf sometimes slides out.

Removing the rear shelf allowsincrease storage space trunk as it no longer blocks the maximum level at which luggage can be stowed. However, this will allow anyone to see your trunk, which can increase the risk of theft.

Did you know? The back shelf is usually covered with a cloth or carpet, but can be leather, for example. You will find many models because they can be completely personalized.

📝 Rear deck: what does the law say?

The rear shelf has a double safety function:

• First, she hides the contents of your safe in plain sight, which reduces the risk of theft. Indeed, objects in the car can cause envy, especially if they are bags or luggage.
• The rear shelf then allows you to mark the maximum level at which you can store luggage that guarantees rear window clearance the vehicle and therefore a good rear view for the driver.

However, the rear shelf can be stowed or removed to increase the load on the vehicle. In this case, you give up the two functions of the parcel shelf.

Keep in mind that the law does not prohibit you from placing items on the rear shelf and of course removing it to put more luggage in the trunk. This is also the reason the rear parcel shelf is stowed away: to free up more cargo space.

In this case it is it is strongly discouraged to place items on your back deck. First, it reduces your visibility while driving. But, above all, these objects can be thrown at the passengers of the vehicle in the event of a sudden stop or sudden braking.

Did you know? A water bottle placed on the rear shelf, thrown forward under hard braking, is equivalent to a 75 kg projectile.

If you are removing the parcel shelf to load more items in the trunk, pay attention to your visibility as well. Never load the trunk up to the ceiling, as this will completely close the rear window. If you don't have enough storage space, a roof box or trailer is preferable for safe driving.

If you are removing the parcel shelf from your vehicle or placing items on it, we recommend eithersecure your cargostraps, for example, or install a safety net to separate your trunk from the passenger compartment.

📍 Where to buy a rear shelf?

You can buy a new parcel shelf at auto parts store, or on the Internet at many e-commerce sites... You will also find accessories for the rear shelf (carpet spray, rugs, etc.) at car centers such as Norauto and Feu Vert.

💰 How much does the parcel shelf cost?

The price of the parcel shelf depends on where you buy it, as well as on the car model. If you need to plan sometimes up to 200 €you will find used rear shelves from 20 € O. Feel free to ask your parts seller to find a cheap used parcel shelf.

That's it, now you know everything about the back deck! As you already understood, its role is primarily security: it can be removed, and you can completely refuse to replace it if yours is damaged. However, take other measures to ensure your visibility and to prevent items in the trunk from turning into dangerous projectiles.