JT's Strongarm install problem

Am installing the JT's on our 5er and so far have the front brackets on but not the arms just yet. Had to quit at that time, not here on Sat and sick on Sun. So I figured I'd do the rear as it looks easy-peezy. It was until time to mount/attach the bracket to the rear crossmember. Only thing that's there is a 1/16" thick sheet metal that closes off the rear between the I-beams and it folds under approx 3/4". Have plastic belly to enclose the underside and this piece is attached to the sheet metal w/ 3 self tappers from the inside or from top.

So not only don't I have really firm metal to drill into, I don't have access to the 3 screws and this same piece of sheet metal is really a couple inches forward of the rear stabs as the arms will hit the rear stabs in full re-tract position.

Based with this info, it looks like I may have 2 choices which I'd like to get opinions on for those that have the JT's on their coaches.

1. Have a couple brackets made up and attach them to the rear cross section of the sheet metal (BUT this won't offer much in way of rigidity/strength) for the JT brackets to attach to.

2. Have a metal bar welded to rear of coach behind the sheet metal which would be stiffer/thicker, mount JT brackets to that and put the "T" handles/arms out of the way of the stabs.

I wish I knew how to post pics as then you'd better see what I'm up against.