We are full time RVers and I travel for work. I have so many tools and I need easy access to those tools on job sites. We want to attach a cargo carrier and add a truck bed tool box onto the front of our 1986 Pace Arrow. I have the front hitch receiver ready to be attached but we got online to start getting some visual references and we can't find ANY. I can't find 1 RV with a cargo carrier/tool box installed on the front. I found trucks with them and some with generators even. A few RVs with bike carriers but no toolboxes.Has anyone got any advice about this? Any ideas or any criticism regarding the "upgrade".Thanks again to everyone here!Ki S Moore

I would suggest that the first thing you do is to load the coach for travel and then get the front axle weighed to see how much you you can add without exceeding the maximum axle weight.

You will also need to make sure you are not blocking the radiator or transmission cooler. Both are very critical on heavy motorhomes. They need all the air they can get.

In the mid-90's I built a rack on the front of our motorhome to carry a Harley Sportster. The motorhome was an old Bendix Class A on a Chevy P-30 with a 454. We travelled all over the country with that motorcycle on the front and had no issues with overheating. That era P-30 did have air bags in the front coil springs so I just increased the inflation to handle the extra weight. That Harley probably weighed about 600lbs and had a frontal area , so I would think a tool box would have less effect on the handling.

The god part is you have a real bumper so finding something to fasten to will be easier BUT I think it's going to block too much air and even your turn signal lights.Now if you buy a box like this and keep it low enough and out there when stopping....

rgatijnet1 wrote:I would suggest that the first thing you do is to load the coach for travel and then get the front axle weighed to see how much you you can add without exceeding the maximum axle weight.Thank you, very good advice. We will get the front axle weighed in the next few days BEFORE we head up to the builder that will be designing the frame for the tool box.

Front End Cargo Carrier | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2016
Front deck, rear deck, and towing a Jeep! What more could you want? ;)
kimberlysmoore
Explorer
Mar 17, 2016
Dutch_12078 wrote:
A front cargo deck seems to work well for these folks... ;)

:E :? :h :D :B roflmao !! :B :p :C

thanks i needed that!
kimberlysmoore
Explorer
Mar 17, 2016
JoeH wrote:
kimberlysmoore wrote:
JoeH wrote:
In the mid-90's I built a rack on the front of our motorhome to carry a Harley Sportster. The motorhome was an old Bendix Class A on a Chevy P-30 with a 454. We travelled all over the country with that motorcycle on the front and had no issues with overheating. That era P-30 did have air bags in the front coil springs so I just increased the inflation to handle the extra weight. That Harley probably weighed about 600lbs and had a frontal area , so I would think a tool box would have less effect on the handling.

Agreed! And we have the same huge Chevy..runs like a top mostly. Very strong, very solid...I am knocking on wood right now.
We have found the lines to the airbags and have bad news. The bags are busted. Replacement in this state (california) can run 3 hours of labor at around $180 an hour. The bags are only about $200 but with the combined labor cost, our bags are "long time no see". Im sure we'll be fine as long until I can get outta this state and get the bags replaced.

I'd find somewhere else to have give you an estimate for the bags. I'd say an hour at the most. To get the old ones out, just use a hole saw on the bottom and cut with a box cutter. To put the new ones in, you roll them up ( new ones are flexible, unlike the old brittle ones that will be coming out) , slide them in, hook up the air hose, inflate and you're done.
The low weight of the tool box isn't really going to be a big deal if you decide not to replace them.
I see the bags all over the internet for less than $100, so, you should be able to get out if it for $300 or less if you have someone else do it.

oooo! thank you so much! this sounds alot easier than i was formulating in my mind. we are going with a trailer for a short time while we work a few events and stash some more cash for the build.
kimberlysmoore
Explorer
Mar 17, 2016
prstlk wrote:
Any good welder fabricator can build what you want. I suggest a 2 reciver platform so you can remove the box when you dont need it. Front end wieght, and cooling comments are spot on. You can save wieght by using aluminum but it will be expensive
Update us and send pics if you proceed

as usual, project is put on hold until we head out of california.
will post more questions and pics as we go.
currently went with a trailer for a temporary haul.
thank you for all your help, its so appreciated!
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Jan 25, 2016
A front cargo deck seems to work well for these folks... ;)
JoeH
Explorer III
Jan 25, 2016
kimberlysmoore wrote:
JoeH wrote:
In the mid-90's I built a rack on the front of our motorhome to carry a Harley Sportster. The motorhome was an old Bendix Class A on a Chevy P-30 with a 454. We travelled all over the country with that motorcycle on the front and had no issues with overheating. That era P-30 did have air bags in the front coil springs so I just increased the inflation to handle the extra weight. That Harley probably weighed about 600lbs and had a frontal area , so I would think a tool box would have less effect on the handling.

Agreed! And we have the same huge Chevy..runs like a top mostly. Very strong, very solid...I am knocking on wood right now.
We have found the lines to the airbags and have bad news. The bags are busted. Replacement in this state (california) can run 3 hours of labor at around $180 an hour. The bags are only about $200 but with the combined labor cost, our bags are "long time no see". Im sure we'll be fine as long until I can get outta this state and get the bags replaced.

I'd find somewhere else to have give you an estimate for the bags. I'd say an hour at the most. To get the old ones out, just use a hole saw on the bottom and cut with a box cutter. To put the new ones in, you roll them up ( new ones are flexible, unlike the old brittle ones that will be coming out) , slide them in, hook up the air hose, inflate and you're done.
The low weight of the tool box isn't really going to be a big deal if you decide not to replace them.
I see the bags all over the internet for less than $100, so, you should be able to get out if it for $300 or less if you have someone else do it.
prstlk
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
Any good welder fabricator can build what you want. I suggest a 2 reciver platform so you can remove the box when you dont need it. Front end wieght, and cooling comments are spot on. You can save wieght by using aluminum but it will be expensive
Update us and send pics if you proceed
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jan 24, 2016
The air scoop needs to be at the top of the air inlet/grill as the box will force the air up towards the windshield. Kind of hard to see if you will need one this time of year.
kimberlysmoore
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
Ivylog wrote:
The god part is you have a real bumper so finding something to fasten to will be easier BUT I think it's going to block too much air and even your turn signal lights.
Now if you buy a box like this and keep it low enough and out there when stopping....

Nice box! $400+ where I live, even as a used craigslist special. So far the designs show no blockage on turn signals but even if it did I do not mind adding extra turn signals. Harbor Freight has easy easy add ons.
Thank you for your response and the great pic. I forwarded this pic to my builder friend so he could see exactly what I was looking for.
kimberlysmoore
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
JoeH wrote:
In the mid-90's I built a rack on the front of our motorhome to carry a Harley Sportster. The motorhome was an old Bendix Class A on a Chevy P-30 with a 454. We travelled all over the country with that motorcycle on the front and had no issues with overheating. That era P-30 did have air bags in the front coil springs so I just increased the inflation to handle the extra weight. That Harley probably weighed about 600lbs and had a frontal area , so I would think a tool box would have less effect on the handling.

Agreed! And we have the same huge Chevy..runs like a top mostly. Very strong, very solid...I am knocking on wood right now.
We have found the lines to the airbags and have bad news. The bags are busted. Replacement in this state (california) can run 3 hours of labor at around $180 an hour. The bags are only about $200 but with the combined labor cost, our bags are "long time no see". Im sure we'll be fine as long until I can get outta this state and get the bags replaced.

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Front End Cargo Carrier

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