Hey Everyone,I am considering building a cargo rack similar to this:http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200623836_200623836Similar in form but built heavier and larger. I am looking at 24"x90" to accommodate moving my generator and storage box from the pickup bed to the back of the trailer.My thought is to have two 2" square tube bolted to the frame rails where they meet the back bumper. The 2" square tube would support a 24"x90" platform made from 1 1/2" angle. Picture the rack in the link except with two support tubes 5' apart instead of one in the middle.I am a bit concerned about weight. My intended load is going to be 350-400lbs. I am sure I am not the first one here to undertake a project like this.. Show me yours :)Any suggestions would be appreciated.Steve

We have a friend who has something similar on the back of His Cougar ,fifth wheel.It was either a factory or a Dealer installed option attached solidly to the frame rails.It comes out about 30 Inches.His slides in and out, under the Rear Bumper. It actually may include the Bumper as a part of the design!I'm sure what You are proposing will work,but I question the mounting method using the dual hitch style mounts attached as the Extension itself will be quite Heavy to lift into position whenever You attach and detach.Not impossible but You may get tired of that method pretty quickly.We have a cargo carrier of a similar design that attaches to the back of Our Car ,it is very awkward to line up and so seldom gets used.

robatthelake wrote:We have a friend who has something similar on the back of His Cougar ,fifth wheel.It was either a factory or a Dealer installed option attached solidly to the frame rails.It comes out about 30 Inches.His slides in and out, under the Rear Bumper. It actually may include the Bumper as a part of the design!I'm sure what You are proposing will work,but I question the mounting method using the dual hitch style mounts attached as the Extension itself will be quite Heavy to lift into position whenever You attach and detach.Not impossible but You may get tired of that method pretty quickly.We have a cargo carrier of a similar design that attaches to the back of Our Car ,it is very awkward to line up and so seldom gets used.I don't intend for it to be easily removable. I had even considered the option of welding it permanently to the frame.

I did something similar on my previous travel trailer. Added 400# to the rear of the trailer . Worked out well however that much weight will effect the pin weight and balance of the rig. You will have to add/shift /balance cargo to ensure correct pin weight.I suggest permanently welding the cargo tray.There is no one size fits all answer the RV frame must be substantial enough to carry the extra weight. It can be done but not on every RV!

Do keep in mind that you'll be affecting your trailer's balance quite a bit, since it is a pretty long distance from the axle(s). You could easily be reducing your pin weight by a few hundred pounds once it's loaded. That weight is, of course, shifted to the trailer wheels, so you'd end up loading the trailer axles by more than just the weight of the cargo and platform.I'd also suggest checking with your DMV about whether you would have to move the license plate holder and lights to the end of the platform. It may depend on how obscured they would be if they weren't moved? I'm not sure on the specifics of the laws, which could conceivably vary a bit from state to state anyhow.

Bumper cargo rack on 5er? | Good Sam Community

MPI_Mallard
Explorer
Oct 27, 2014
Here's mine I carry my genny, full-size BBQ grill and two mountain bikes, works great!

Red Green:
They say necessity is the mother of invention.
Don't know who the father is;
probably remorse.
PNW_Steve
Explorer
Oct 27, 2014
Progress:
tvman44
Explorer
Oct 18, 2014
You will probably be Ok. We have one similiar that I have carried my 100lb ginny and 65qt Yeti ice chest loaded with no problems.
wannavolunteerF
Explorer
Oct 18, 2014
Does the thing that looks like the northern tool cargo hauler, except it is bigger and has a pivoting wheel cause the same lift on tongue? I don't know what the thing is called, but I saw one in use the other day with a golf cart on it. Seems like it would be like having a longer trailer..
Chopperbob
Explorer
Oct 18, 2014
I did that and was constantly welding cracks on the
frame. Believe it.
Bob
TakingThe5th
Explorer
Oct 18, 2014
robatthelake wrote:
We have a friend who has something similar on the back of His Cougar ,fifth wheel.

It was either a factory or a Dealer installed option attached solidly to the frame rails.It comes out about 30 Inches.

His slides in and out, under the Rear Bumper. It actually may include the Bumper as a part of the design!

I'm sure what You are proposing will work,but I question the mounting method using the dual hitch style mounts attached as the Extension itself will be quite Heavy to lift into position whenever You attach and detach.Not impossible but You may get tired of that method pretty quickly.

We have a cargo carrier of a similar design that attaches to the back of Our Car ,it is very awkward to line up and so seldom gets used.

Cougar provides a sliding bike rack that will support 200 lbs.
352
Explorer
Oct 18, 2014
Here
PNW_Steve wrote:
Hey Everyone,

I am considering building a cargo rack similar to this:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200623836_200623836

Similar in form but built heavier and larger. I am looking at 24"x90" to accommodate moving my generator and storage box from the pickup bed to the back of the trailer.

My thought is to have two 2" square tube bolted to the frame rails where they meet the back bumper. The 2" square tube would support a 24"x90" platform made from 1 1/2" angle. Picture the rack in the link except with two support tubes 5' apart instead of one in the middle.

I am a bit concerned about weight. My intended load is going to be 350-400lbs.

I am sure I am not the first one here to undertake a project like this.. Show me yours :)

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Steve
hbillsmith
Explorer
Oct 18, 2014
Check out the Gear Deck 17. Search on YouTube.
DrewE
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2014
Do keep in mind that you'll be affecting your trailer's balance quite a bit, since it is a pretty long distance from the axle(s). You could easily be reducing your pin weight by a few hundred pounds once it's loaded. That weight is, of course, shifted to the trailer wheels, so you'd end up loading the trailer axles by more than just the weight of the cargo and platform.

I'd also suggest checking with your DMV about whether you would have to move the license plate holder and lights to the end of the platform. It may depend on how obscured they would be if they weren't moved? I'm not sure on the specifics of the laws, which could conceivably vary a bit from state to state anyhow.
Lantley
Nomad
Oct 18, 2014
I did something similar on my previous travel trailer. Added 400# to the rear of the trailer . Worked out well however that much weight will effect the pin weight and balance of the rig. You will have to add/shift /balance cargo to ensure correct pin weight.
I suggest permanently welding the cargo tray.
There is no one size fits all answer the RV frame must be substantial enough to carry the extra weight. It can be done but not on every RV!

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