Part 2: Micra Pickup Truck
I had the opportunity to pick up a light but long load while I was driving the Micra -- birch bark for a canoe:
http://micra-forum.com/attachment.ph...4&d=1405949709
The handy child seat anchors in the cargo area (at the base of the seatback) are perfect attachment points for a ratchet strap:
Attachment 625
An aluminum ladder makes for a good "extended load deck" out the back -- in this case an 8-ft ladder. With the bottom end on the folded seatback and some padding under the middle where it rests on the hatchback opening:
Attachment 626
Cinch the ladder down hard, and it's remarkably secure. I could stand on the outside end. And using a ladder as your load deck gives you lots of options for tie-down points for whatever you're lugging.
Of course if you're going to be carrying anything with actual bulk (say, heavier than birch bark), you might also want to secure the ladder so the outside part can't move side-to-side.
And don't forget your bright red flag on the end of your load.