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nremtp143's avatar
nremtp143
Explorer
Jun 22, 2013

Under belly storage tubes

I've wanted to do this for a while too, and just got around to it today. It started with 2 10' sections of schedule 40 PVC pipe, 1 piece of 3/4 strut and 4 6" pipe brackets(off of internet as no one sells locally). I cut the strut to 36" lengths(good round number), painted(hangers too) and bolted them to the flange of the I beam frame. I then cut my pipes to have a total of 8' lengths with the caps installed and glued them together. Got my 12 year old to help me install them and this is the result. They will be used for holding my awning poles and one will be a spare for now. I am sure something will be put there the first trip!









The rear one holds my awning poles.

And the hole drilled in the stainless washer will let me attach a 1/8" galvanized cable to the cap and strap/strut so I won't lose them.
  • nremtp143's avatar
    nremtp143
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    nvreloader wrote:
    One thing to watch for,
    Try to keep the pipe away from ANY area that a busted tire can reach, that plastic pipe don't take kindly to flapping tire treads or road gators throw up at them. :E

    Tia,
    Don


    I thought about that. That's one reason I put them in front of the wheels. Even though in a catastrophic tire loss, I'm sure they could still be hit.
  • nvreloader's avatar
    nvreloader
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2013
    One thing to watch for,
    Try to keep the pipe away from ANY area that a busted tire can reach, that plastic pipe don't take kindly to flapping tire treads or road gators throw up at them. :E

    Tia,
    Don
  • ReneeG's avatar
    ReneeG
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2013
    wintersun wrote:
    I did this only I used 5" black ABS pipe so it would look like it was part of the waste tank setup and not have anyone curious and decide to look inside. I made a rack using a strip of plywood the same width as the ID of the pipe and attached 4 sets of rod holders. Gave me a place to store four 7.5' fishing rods out of the way. I was able to get U-bolts the size needed from Grainer, all the rest came from Home Depot.


    Great idea!
  • wintersun's avatar
    wintersun
    Explorer II
    Jun 26, 2013
    I did this only I used 5" black ABS pipe so it would look like it was part of the waste tank setup and not have anyone curious and decide to look inside. I made a rack using a strip of plywood the same width as the ID of the pipe and attached 4 sets of rod holders. Gave me a place to store four 7.5' fishing rods out of the way. I was able to get U-bolts the size needed from Grainer, all the rest came from Home Depot.
  • nremtp143's avatar
    nremtp143
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    Jimf1234 I see you went with the 1 1/2" strut as I went with the 3/4". I had to put 3 washers under the strut on the street side due to trying to clear the propane hard gas line on that side. But hey, it works for me!:B
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Jun 23, 2013
    Nice job to both members who posted their handy work! The great ideas from this forum just keep coming!
  • nremtp143's avatar
    nremtp143
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    Jimf1234 wrote:
    I did the same thing only with 8" for my outside carpet.



    Very nice. I may change my back tube out for an 8" as well. Didn't think about that until afterwards. Also, check and make sure you can get cribbing and a bottle jack in front of your front tires in case you have to jack it up on the side of the road. I got mine out to make sure. Mine are set a little forward, Meaning I started my struts about 8" in front of spring hanger. The mods are endless!:B
  • ReneeG's avatar
    ReneeG
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    That carpet tube looks good. We're thinking that'll be our next project.

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