Rear racks Research
Started a new thread so i don,t hijack johndeerefarmer thread on his great job building a rear rack for his rig. so this is what I have found looking for threads on racks breaking and people losing ge...
Forum Discussion
otrfun wrote:
I think the OP (from the previous thread) did an outstanding job painting and welding that generator platform. Looks professional. Although I have my doubts, it may very well be a safe and well-engineered solution for carrying his generator.
FWIW, about a year ago I approached a local trailer repair facility that specializes in trailer welding, frame, and suspension repair. I asked about welding two receivers to the rear of our toy hauler frame (I-beam). He asked what I planned to use the receivers for. I told him we wanted to mount a platform on it to store no more than 300 lbs. of gear. He recommended against it due to dynamic loading. Explaining that the up and down dynamic loading caused by the inherent slop/play found in all receiver inserts is magnified dramatically by the length and weight of the platform. According to him the issue was not so much a concern about a sudden, dramatic failure, but the potential for a gradual, permanent (unrepairable!) bending of the rear frame members over time. I respected his opinion---especially since he talked himself right out of a job.
This is why, if you're building a "proper" setup, you use a sub-frame, at least 4' long, to support the main trailer frame. If you're building for towing, then the sub-frame should most likely extend clear to the rear spring shackle, with at least 3 cross-members; 2 to hold the receiver(s) and 1 at the far end.
Lyle
