AC Vent in Rear Cargo Area of the Traveler

[apex96]

Started a thread in the traveler section but thought it worth placing in the suggestion box section as well.

AC vent placement is probably not high on most peoples priorities for a new vehicle but it's almost top of my list. My wife trains dogs for a living and we currently have three large dogs. I have a 4th gen Ford Expedition that we use for long trips and the rooftop vents come in clutch for keeping the pups cool.

While the Traveler is going to be a two row SUV, I hope there is consideration for adding AC vents to the back cargo area for pets. Teaser pics and vids have shown there is/may be a pet mode available. I'd like to see either roof vents (for those like me that would option the steel roof) or Vents located in the C pillars pointed into the cargo area or perhaps even placing them into the rear quater trim pieces to blow directly into the cargo area.

 

[Nico]

Started a thread in the traveler section but thought it worth placing in the suggestion box section as well.

AC vent placement is probably not high on most peoples priorities for a new vehicle but it's almost top of my list. My wife trains dogs for a living and we currently have three large dogs. I have a 4th gen Ford Expedition that we use for long trips and the rooftop vents come in clutch for keeping the pups cool.

While the Traveler is going to be a two row SUV, I hope there is consideration for adding AC vents to the back cargo area for pets. Teaser pics and vids have shown there is/may be a pet mode available. I'd like to see either roof vents (for those like me that would option the steel roof) or Vents located in the C pillars pointed into the cargo area or perhaps even placing them into the rear quater trim pieces to blow directly into the cargo area.

I couldn’t agree more. I have a model Y and with the seats up, dog mode on, my dog still bakes in the trunk area. He is basically an ant under a magnifying glass. Having ventilation would help keep his bed dry and prevent fogging when he jumps in wet from the beach. I would LOVE vents in the cargo area.

 

[Christa]

Started a thread in the traveler section but thought it worth placing in the suggestion box section as well.

AC vent placement is probably not high on most peoples priorities for a new vehicle but it's almost top of my list. My wife trains dogs for a living and we currently have three large dogs. I have a 4th gen Ford Expedition that we use for long trips and the rooftop vents come in clutch for keeping the pups cool.

While the Traveler is going to be a two row SUV, I hope there is consideration for adding AC vents to the back cargo area for pets. Teaser pics and vids have shown there is/may be a pet mode available. I'd like to see either roof vents (for those like me that would option the steel roof) or Vents located in the C pillars pointed into the cargo area or perhaps even placing them into the rear quater trim pieces to blow directly into the cargo area.

I'd also like cargo area tiedowns to secure crates and gear

 

[cyure]

I'd also like cargo area tiedowns to secure crates and gear

That’s a good idea and I agree with you.

My understanding is there’s a rail system in the back of the Traveler. You can see the rails in the picture my husband took at Nats.

I’m hoping we also get the Molle panels that they show in the concepts on the side as well to attach things too.

 

[J Alynn]

I can’t imagine there won’t be some system or anchor points to tie down and manage cargo

 

[Christa]

I couldn’t agree more. I have a model Y and with the seats up, dog mode on, my dog still bakes in the trunk area. He is basically an ant under a magnifying glass. Having ventilation would help keep his bed dry and prevent fogging when he jumps in wet from the beach. I would LOVE vents in the cargo area.

Completely agree- the large glass roof seems great until you use the car in the summer. When I had Tesla look into the range I was getting, they said it was because I was running the 2nd row AC and had AC set to 69. I have an ambient temperature probe in the dog crate and it measures at least 10 degrees warmer even with a noggle, fans and most of my windows covered with sun shades

 

[J Alynn]

Completely agree- the large glass roof seems great until you use the car in the summer. When I had Tesla look into the range I was getting, they said it was because I was running the 2nd row AC and had AC set to 69. I have an ambient temperature probe in the dog crate and it measures at least 10 degrees warmer even with a noggle, fans and most of my windows covered with sun shades

There will be an option (assuming standard) full metal roof so that will alleviate one of your concerns

 

[Mousehunter]

Non-glass roof will help-an insulated roof might help more. Would love rear vents, but if 2nd row vents are good-perhaps a 12v might be enough to circulate cold air back for the dogs. Even with a rear AC, I might still consider kennel fans. Possibly decent sized aux electrical in the rear? Something large enough to run a 12v fridge while they are at it...

 

[apex96]

Non-glass roof will help-an insulated roof might help more. Would love rear vents, but if 2nd row vents are good-perhaps a 12v might be enough to circulate cold air back for the dogs. Even with a rear AC, I might still consider kennel fans. Possibly decent sized aux electrical in the rear? Something large enough to run a 12v fridge while they are at it...

Just watched the review of the prototype R2 from out of spec reviews and the folks over at Rivian indicated that there were going to be vents in the rear and the prototype indeed had what appeared to be vents in the cargo area on the side quarter panel plastics…

If the design team at Rivian can bring rear AC to a much smaller SUV… I’m really hoping a similar design can be brought to the scout traveler as well…

 

[J Alynn]

Just watched the review of the prototype R2 from out of spec reviews and the folks over at Rivian indicated that there were going to be vents in the rear and the prototype indeed had what appeared to be vents in the cargo area on the side quarter panel plastics…

If the design team at Rivian can bring rear AC to a much smaller SUV… I’m really hoping a similar design can be brought to the scout traveler as well…

I think it’s more than doable for SM to bring A/C to the rear but at the ceiling is where it is difficult. And as noted, Rivian is putting it in the side panels which tells me they also struggled getting it to come back through the roof panel. What might be nice is take the logical approach to running the AC at the side panels but make the vent port highly adjustable to maximize its value to rear cargo-be it groceries or pets. Would also be nice to have the same thing extend to the frunk to keep groceries cool or even other goods if filling the lower frunk with ice for a tailgate trip. That vent could just as easily be turned off as well since it isn’t technically inside the cabin area

 

[apex96]

I think it’s more than doable for SM to bring A/C to the rear but at the ceiling is where it is difficult. And as noted, Rivian is putting it in the side panels which tells me they also struggled getting it to come back through the roof panel. What might be nice is take the logical approach to running the AC at the side panels which tells but make the vent port highly adjustable to maximize its value to rear cargo-be it groceries or pets. Would also be nice to have the same thing extend to the frunk to keep groceries cool or even other goods if filling the lower frunk with ice for a tailgate trip. That vent could just as easily be turned off as well since it isn’t technically inside the cabin area

A frunk option would be interesting as well. I think some people may be getting hung up on the roof. While my expedition has the vents in the roof, my original post indicated the need for rear cargo area ventilation in general with location TBD (wherever it made the most sense/least amount of rework).

 

[6-ScoutFamily]

Started a thread in the traveler section but thought it worth placing in the suggestion box section as well.

AC vent placement is probably not high on most peoples priorities for a new vehicle but it's almost top of my list. My wife trains dogs for a living and we currently have three large dogs. I have a 4th gen Ford Expedition that we use for long trips and the rooftop vents come in clutch for keeping the pups cool.

While the Traveler is going to be a two row SUV, I hope there is consideration for adding AC vents to the back cargo area for pets. Teaser pics and vids have shown there is/may be a pet mode available. I'd like to see either roof vents (for those like me that would option the steel roof) or Vents located in the C pillars pointed into the cargo area or perhaps even placing them into the rear quater trim pieces to blow directly into the cargo area.

Agree this is a great feature. My 2010 Highlander has these, powered by a separate blower. I don’t use them except on very hot days when parked for long periods. They do a great job.