May-31-2016 11:45 AM
Jun-06-2016 08:55 PM
Jun-02-2016 07:39 AM
DrewE wrote:
In my opinion, the mounting to the door as you describe is entirely over the top in terms of strength. Your box mount would be stronger than the hinges holding the door onto the van (or close to that) with ten bolts and a 1/4" steel backer plate. That's not a problem in itself, I guess, but it is unnecessary weight. Likewise, I suspect that 3/16" aluminum is very much overkill for the weight that will be carried.
Actually the backing plate will also be aluminum, if I put 5 or 3 bolts each row may not change much you're right, as long as the backing is one piece it will distribute the weight evenly when the vehicle moves forward or stops, I was afraid that if I simply put a washer on each bolt that the van's panel would warp or something.
and the thickness of the box will probably be more like 1/8" I'm not sure. What do you think?
Per the US DOT, as I understand things, carrying propane (at least in any sort of permanent configuration) is illegal if the propane tank is either above the roof, below the vehicle frame, or extends out beyond the front or back bumper. That possibly might not apply to a portable tank in a cargo box, at least technically, but that does nothing to address the rather obvious safety concerns that led to the regulations. In a crash you would prefer not to have the propane tank obliterated and its contents released suddenly. There are also requirements for venting a compartment carrying propane tanks (the bottom needs to be vented to the outside). I don't know anything about what Canadian regulations are like.
The only thing I have found for my region so far is the limits of quantities on a RV for road tunnels, bridges, and fairy boat (which I comply to) Also I found an article that said that the rear bumper needs to be extended to protect the box from impact but it's very vague.
Would the hose you referred to be a propane connection leading through the door? Are you not going to install your permanently mounted tank for some reason, or is there some other reason to need another tank connected?
Read my last post
About the only other suggestion I would have is to make sure the box doesn't block the lights. In particular, it looks to me like it would obscure the left turn signal for anybody who is much to the right of the centerline of the vehicle. Angling the end of the box inwards would help there, I think.
That is exactly what I thought when I started to work this idea but then I saw the Aluminess website, a big company that does something similar to what I want, look at the pictures in this link (ford vans) they have setups that block much more than what I'm thinking of doing.
And if they sell these things they have to be street legal logically.
http://www.aluminess.com/ford/ford-vans-1992-2007/ford-van-92-07-rear-bumper/
But I will probably reduce the depth of the box from 17" to 13"
The generator is 11" wide and a 20lb propane tank is 12" diam. that would surely help with visibility
By the way, your English is excellent.
Thank you 🙂 but I have to say that it takes a lot of concentration out of me, something's not normal when you have to think before saying the words you want to say, maybe if I would talk more often I could feel more comfortable.
Jun-01-2016 07:25 AM
May-31-2016 11:21 PM
May-31-2016 04:04 PM
May-31-2016 02:59 PM