A few weeks ago I posted a thread asking how to store my porta bote on my Thor Jazz 277 5th Wheel. I got several helpful responses and built a compartment that goes underneath my trailer from the front between the landing gear. It came out great. My boat is the 12' model. The total cost was around $100 in material. It took about 16' of angle iron, one sheet of 24ga sheet metal (10'x4'), bolts, washers, lock washers and nuts. My only screw ups were a couple of hasty measurements and using a grinder with a grinding blade instead of a cutting blade for the angle iron. Also I wore out or broke a few cheap drill bits. I sprayed all the angle iron, expanded metal and the wood lid with truck bed liner spray paint. I hope the pics come through and helps somebody. I used it once already going up and down a mountain and it worked perfect, no rattling. I only fastened the sheet metal at the lid and the rear, sheet metal to expanded metal.It has plenty of clearance. The bottom actually sits higher than the axle. Because of the length of the boat, it would have been resting on my axle. I raised the back end slightly so it sits about 1-2" above the axle. Since the sheet metal only came in 10' sections, I made the last couple feet out of expanded sheet metal I had. I like it because I will be able to rinse it out without debris collecting in it. One bit of advice....work on a hard surface and buy a floor creeper to move around underneath the trailer.I hope this helps someone out.

That's a great job. Happy fishing!

"I raised the back end slightly so it sits about 1-2" above the axle." Very nice job, and quite creative. But what happens when you hit a pot hole or rock? Won't the axle go up more than 1-2"?Jim

TucsonJim wrote:"I raised the back end slightly so it sits about 1-2" above the axle." Very nice job, and quite creative. But what happens when you hit a pot hole or rock? Won't the axle go up more than 1-2"?JimIt doesn't go over the top of the axle. It doesn't even extend past the front axle, maybe about halfway over it. I suppose it may bump it, but the storage portion sits inside the framework. You could push it up with one hand The only place it's bolted down is at the front opening. At the rear, the expanded metal is bolted to the sheet metal but not to the angle iron. You could easily lift it up by pushing on it. It may bump into it and lift it a little but will not harm it. I think the only draw back of not bolting the compartment to the angle iron throughout is if pulling it empty, it may rattle and be noisy but I see no reason to take the boat out of it when not using it.

Sounds like you've solved any potential issues. When I get my new fiver in March, I'm going to see if your method would work for me.

Nice work!! I will probably copy what you've done when I do mine.

Porta Bote Storage Compartment | Good Sam Community

Fiverwheel
Explorer
Feb 19, 2014
That's a great job. Happy fishing!
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Feb 19, 2014
"I raised the back end slightly so it sits about 1-2" above the axle."

Very nice job, and quite creative. But what happens when you hit a pot hole or rock? Won't the axle go up more than 1-2"?

Jim
jkbrea
Explorer
Feb 19, 2014
TucsonJim wrote:
"I raised the back end slightly so it sits about 1-2" above the axle."

Very nice job, and quite creative. But what happens when you hit a pot hole or rock? Won't the axle go up more than 1-2"?

Jim

It doesn't go over the top of the axle. It doesn't even extend past the front axle, maybe about halfway over it. I suppose it may bump it, but the storage portion sits inside the framework. You could push it up with one hand The only place it's bolted down is at the front opening. At the rear, the expanded metal is bolted to the sheet metal but not to the angle iron. You could easily lift it up by pushing on it. It may bump into it and lift it a little but will not harm it. I think the only draw back of not bolting the compartment to the angle iron throughout is if pulling it empty, it may rattle and be noisy but I see no reason to take the boat out of it when not using it.
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Feb 19, 2014
Sounds like you've solved any potential issues. When I get my new fiver in March, I'm going to see if your method would work for me.
AZ_T_T
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
Nice work!! I will probably copy what you've done when I do mine.
Lantley
Nomad
Feb 20, 2014
Nice work, I have envisioned doing something similar to my rig.
WeBeFulltimers
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
What did you use to line the inside of the box? Slightest movement while traveling could damage boat finish without it.
Lantley
Nomad
Feb 20, 2014
WeBeFulltimers wrote:
What did you use to line the inside of the box? Slightest movement while traveling could damage boat finish without it.

THe bote exterior is very durable. My bote has rode beneath my RV secured with ratchet straps for 5 years,totally unprotected without any issues.
jkbrea
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
Lantley wrote:
WeBeFulltimers wrote:
What did you use to line the inside of the box? Slightest movement while traveling could damage boat finish without it.

THe bote exterior is very durable. My bote has rode beneath my RV secured with ratchet straps for 5 years,totally unprotected without any issues.

There's really not a finish to speak of like a normal boat. It is a kind of hard very durable plastic. It just sits on the sheet metal. Its very easy to get in and out by one person. Found out I could even haul an extension ladder in it, without the boat of course.:):C
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Feb 20, 2014
Very nice work!!!!

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