Page 121 of 508
Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
Storage 4-5
Midgate Drain Grate Removal
and Cleaning
The removable Midgate drain grate
is located near the base of the
Midgate.
After hauling dirt, wood chips,
pebbles etc. the Midgate drain
should be flushed with water.
First remove the drain grate:
1. Lower the Midgate. SeeMidgate
®on page 2‑9 for
more information.
2. Pull up on the rear side of the drain grate, tilt it toward the front
of the vehicle, and pull it out.
Reverse the procedure to reinstall
the drain grate.
Cargo Area Floor Drains
The cargo mat has cut outs for the
four cargo-area floor drains located
under the cargo mat near the sides
of the cargo area.
Periodically flush the drains through
the cut outs to clear debris and
allow water to drain from the cargo
area. If the cargo area is extremely
dirty lift up the edges of the cargo
floor mat or take the whole mat out
and flush the drains with water.
Page 122 of 508

Black plate (6,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
4-6 Storage
Additional Storage
Features
Cargo Cover Panels
For vehicles with a three-piece
cargo cover system, the cargo
panels can be removed and stored
in the cargo area of the vehicle.
{WARNING
Improperly stored cargo cover
panels could be thrown about
the vehicle during a collision or
sudden maneuver. Someone
could be injured. If a panel is
removed, always store it in the
proper storage location. When
putting it back, always make sure
that it is securely reattached.
Notice: Exceeding the weight
limit of 113 kg (250 lbs) can
damage the cargo covers, and the
repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not put
anything on top of the cargo
covers over the weight limit.
To remove a cargo panel(s):
1. Lower the tailgate. See
Tailgate
on page 2‑15 for more
information on the tailgate.
The panels are embossed on
the upper center portion with
the numbers 1, 2 and 3. There
are also numbered labels on
the bottom of the panels. The numbers on the top and
bottom of the panels will be used
as reference when removing,
storing and reinstalling the
panels.
2. Unlock the cargo panel 3 by
pulling forward on the driver side
and passenger side cargo panel
latches, located on the bottom of
each cargo panel.
3. Remove cargo panel 2 in the same way and set it aside.
Remove as many cargo panels
as needed.
Page 123 of 508

Black plate (7,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
Storage 4-7
4. To remove cargo panel 1, unlockthe two rear latches, lift the
cover slightly and pull rearward.
After each cargo panel has been
removed, store them within the
cargo storage area using the cargo
panel storage system.
Cargo Panel Storage System
The three cargo panels can be
stored in the cargo area using the
storage strap system. Always use
the storage strap system to store
the cargo panels while driving.
To store the panels:
1. Secure the storage strap system in the cargo storage area by
attaching the six clips included
on the cargo strap system to the
tie down locations on either side
of the storage area.
Before storing the cargo panels,
make sure that the latches on
the cargo panels are in the
locked position. The latches are
locked when they are parallel to
the front and back edge of the
panel.Use the following instructions for
the proper storage sequence
and location for each panel:
1.1. Secure clip (A) on the
storage strap.
1.2. Secure clip (B) on the storage strap.
1.3. Place the remaining primary straps (C) on top of the lid
and tray at the top of the
cargo area.
Page 124 of 508
Black plate (8,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
4-8 Storage
2. Starting with cargo panel 1, loadthe cargo panel with the latches
facing up toward the side of the
cargo box.
Do the same for cargo panel 2
then panel 3. Make sure to store
panel 2 with the latches facing
down and panel 3 with latches
facing up toward the side of the
cargo box.3. Place the primary straps overthe three cargo covers (A).
Fasten the four strap clips (B).4. Tighten all straps by pulling onthe free end of each strap.
Page 125 of 508
Black plate (9,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
Storage 4-9
5. Close both cross locks at thecenter of the strap system to
tightly secure.Panels 3, 2, 1 Loaded
Reinstalling the Cargo Cover
Panels
The strap system can remain
attached to the side of the cargo
area while it is not in use, or it can
be stored inside the top box storage
compartment. See Top-Box Storage
on page 4‑2 for more information.
To reinstall a cargo panel:
1. Starting with cargo panel 1,
place the latches in the unlocked
position. Place cargo panel 1
on the cargo area rails while
holding the back of the cargo
panel up.
Page 126 of 508

Black plate (10,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
4-10 Storage
Driver Side Shown, PassengerSide Similar
2. Place the cover on the cargo box within 10cm (4 in) of the
Midgate and lower the rear of
the panel within 5–8cm (2–3 in)
from the top of the cargo box.
Push the cover forward making
sure that the guide block
engages the retainer bracket
opening. Continue to push
forward until the panel is fully
seated against the Midgate. Then lower the rear of the
cover to engage the striker
pegs (A) to align with the striker
assembly (B).
3. The driver side cargo cover
panel latch must lock in place
before the passenger side latch
can be locked. If this procedure is not followed exactly, the cargo
cover panels might not correctly
lock in place. Push the driver
side latch toward the front of
the vehicle to lock the cover in
position. A click sounds when
each latch locks. Lock the
remaining passenger side latch
on panel 1.
4. Install cargo cover 2 followed by 3 next. Place the latches in
the unlocked position. Place the
cargo cover panel on the cargo
area rails while holding the back
of the cargo panel up.
Page 127 of 508
Black plate (11,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
Storage 4-11
Driver Side Shown, PassengerSide Similar
5. Push the panel forward until it is snug against the other panel
and then let the back of the
panel down making sure that
the pegs (A) align with the
receivers (B).
6. Push the latches toward the front of the vehicle, starting with
the driver side latch, to lock the
panel in place. A click sounds
when each latch locks correctly.
Folding and Storage of Straps
Fold the straps for storing inside the
top-box storage compartment:
1. Extend the six strap ends on aflat surface.
2. Fold the four primary strap endstoward the center as shown.
Page 128 of 508

Black plate (12,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
4-12 Storage
3. Take the short strap and wrap itaround the folded webbing,
forming a package.4. Take the storage strap and wrapit around the package. Finally,
attach the hooks to the webbing
and place the straps inside the
top-box storage compartment.
Cargo Tie Downs
Cargo tie downs in the rear cargo
area can be used to secure cargo.
Roof Rack System
{WARNING
If something is carried on top of
the vehicle that is longer or wider
than the roof rack— like paneling,
plywood, or a mattress— the
wind can catch it while the vehicle
is being driven. The item being
carried could be violently torn off,
and this could cause a collision,
and damage the vehicle. Never
carry something longer or wider
than the roof rack on top of the
vehicle unless using a GM
Certified accessory carrier.
For vehicles with a roof rack, the
rack can be used to load items.
For roof racks that do not have
crossrails included, GM Certified
crossrails can be purchased as an
accessory. See your dealer for
additional information.