Do you think a front cargo rack is too dangerous?

[Naio]

I've had a basket type one on my van for a while, but it has seen very, very little freeway speed driving. Mostly slow roads.

An engineer friend saw it yesterday and said he thought it was extremely dangerous, because at freeway speed it could potentially set up a wobble, twist itself off, and end up underneath the front of the van. And, as he pointed out, that would be much worse than a rear rack coming off and dragging.

Well, I found this image terrifying. But then I thought I should consult you all :-).

(My rack plus contents ways maybe a hundred pounds, but one of the problems he pointed out is that the weight is necessarily evenly distributed. It's not possible to consolidate it in the center. This was why he was concerned about wobble at speed.)

[JTLance]

I’m not running people off, I made a fair statement that illicitted a “triggered” accidental response. Its not like we’re talking politics. ??

[Matt_Colie]

Naio,

As another engineer, I can tell you why he was concerned. We are educated to always envision a worst case. Let me tell you, with the geniuses that are out there, this is not a bad assumption.

The fact is that unless you load that front box with bowling balls, it will not be all that heavy, and I bet you have had it over a scale too. Locking in to the frame like NRALIFR is also a very good idea as that will prevent it from initiating and unstable situation.

Thinking can prevent many problems.

Matt

[Cloud_Dancer]

Immediately I was negative. Then, after thinking about it, I asked myself, what if it was my problem? I don't know.

[Bird_Freak]

JTLance wrote:

NRALIFR wrote:

JTLance wrote:
Listen, I’m not a kid. It’s just what I think while living in a VERY high traffic RV town. These goody setups are causing more issues than you think. It’s starting to look more and more like the Beverly Hillbilly’s with all the ridiculous garbage hanging around (front and back) of the pickups and 1960’s piece of crappola. I’ve seen broken metal- like carriages that had plastic gas cans and broken generators on the freeway. I’ve seen accidents with the same carnage in the front of people’s trucks from not allowing for larger stopping distances required. I’ve watched people walk into the stuff in parking lots.

Guys, if the truck didn’t come with forward tow hitches, get a **** trailer!

I don’t want a trailer, OK? I’m not a kid either, and the last time I checked, I get to decide what I do within the law. I don’t care what they look like to you, or what accidents you’ve seen. They weren’t caused by me, and the people on this forum aren’t causing the problems in your town. They aren’t illegal, so you and your demands can go pound sand.

BTW, I hate towable RV’s. If you need to drag around that much living space, stay home! I can play that cranky, stubborn old fart game too, buddy.

:):)

Im not your Buddy, you are a cranky old guy and I hope they change the law so people like you have to use a trailer like normal people. Until then, happy camping. I’m sure your wife loves you.

Another example of the type members that run folks away from this site.
No need for replys like this.

[JTLance]

NRALIFR wrote:

JTLance wrote:
Listen, I’m not a kid. It’s just what I think while living in a VERY high traffic RV town. These goody setups are causing more issues than you think. It’s starting to look more and more like the Beverly Hillbilly’s with all the ridiculous garbage hanging around (front and back) of the pickups and 1960’s piece of crappola. I’ve seen broken metal- like carriages that had plastic gas cans and broken generators on the freeway. I’ve seen accidents with the same carnage in the front of people’s trucks from not allowing for larger stopping distances required. I’ve watched people walk into the stuff in parking lots.

Guys, if the truck didn’t come with forward tow hitches, get a **** trailer!

I don’t want a trailer, OK? I’m not a kid either, and the last time I checked, I get to decide what I do within the law. I don’t care what they look like to you, or what accidents you’ve seen. They weren’t caused by me, and the people on this forum aren’t causing the problems in your town. They aren’t illegal, so you and your demands can go pound sand.

BTW, I hate towable RV’s. If you need to drag around that much living space, stay home! I can play that cranky, stubborn old fart game too, buddy.

:):)

Im not your Buddy, you are a cranky old guy and I hope they change the law so people like you have to use a trailer like normal people. Until then, happy camping. I’m sure your wife loves you.

[time2roll]

Properly attached I say it is fine. However I would not be real excited if you were carrying gasoline or propane.

[NRALIFR]

JTLance wrote:
Listen, I’m not a kid. It’s just what I think while living in a VERY high traffic RV town. These goody setups are causing more issues than you think. It’s starting to look more and more like the Beverly Hillbilly’s with all the ridiculous garbage hanging around (front and back) of the pickups and 1960’s piece of crappola. I’ve seen broken metal- like carriages that had plastic gas cans and broken generators on the freeway. I’ve seen accidents with the same carnage in the front of people’s trucks from not allowing for larger stopping distances required. I’ve watched people walk into the stuff in parking lots.

Guys, if the truck didn’t come with forward tow hitches, get a **** trailer!

I don’t want a trailer, OK? I’m not a kid either, and the last time I checked, I get to decide what I do within the law. I don’t care what they look like to you, or what accidents you’ve seen. They weren’t caused by me, and the people on this forum aren’t causing the problems in your town. They aren’t illegal, so you and your demands can go pound sand.

BTW, I hate towable RV’s. If you need to drag around that much living space, stay home! I can play that cranky, stubborn old fart game too, buddy.

:):)

[JRscooby]

Naio wrote:
You guys are just trying to stir up trouble.

The reason he felt that a failure would be safer on the rear rather than the front was that I can quickly pull over and deal with it if it's on the rear. On the front, it might wedge under the van and cause a rollover.

I don't normally drive on roads where there is a lot of traffic, so a rear rack wedging under a car that is following me closely is a much less likely scenario.

I think you see my point. A takeoff of personal responsibility. If snot falls off your vehicle, and I have a choice; 20% it hurts me vs 100% you hit it, I want your family to be the ones scrambled.
If my stuff is secure why should I be at risk?
Also there is the fact that any vehicle, especially one towing a trailer the front axle is the least likely to be overloaded.

[Naio]

I love this turnbuckle idea!

To answer pianotuna's question, I have it on a front hitch from etrailer, single receiver.

NRALIFR wrote:
Several of us carry gear safely in racks, toolboxes, trays, etc hanging on a front hitch. I carry this box on the front of my truck on a carrier that I fabricated.



I don’t particularly like the concept of only using the hitch for support and stability because the box did wobble a bit.

Instead of trying to scare you with tales of how your front carrier is going to kill you, maybe your engineer friend could help you fabricate some stabilizers like these. They run between the rear corners of the box and the tow hooks on the front of the truck.



Once the turnbuckles are tightened up, the box is rock solid.

:):)

[Naio]

You guys are just trying to stir up trouble.

The reason he felt that a failure would be safer on the rear rather than the front was that I can quickly pull over and deal with it if it's on the rear. On the front, it might wedge under the van and cause a rollover.

I don't normally drive on roads where there is a lot of traffic, so a rear rack wedging under a car that is following me closely is a much less likely scenario.

[JTLance]

Listen, I’m not a kid. It’s just what I think while living in a VERY high traffic RV town. These goody setups are causing more issues than you think. It’s starting to look more and more like the Beverly Hillbilly’s with all the ridiculous garbage hanging around (front and back) of the pickups and 1960’s piece of crappola. I’ve seen broken metal- like carriages that had plastic gas cans and broken generators on the freeway. I’ve seen accidents with the same carnage in the front of people’s trucks from not allowing for larger stopping distances required. I’ve watched people walk into the stuff in parking lots.

Guys, if the truck didn’t come with forward tow hitches, get a **** trailer!

[JRscooby]

Chum lee wrote:


So it would be OK if the rack (or it's contents) fell off the back and ended up under someone else's vehicle? As long as you don't know about it, . . . . no problem? Hummmmmmmmmmmmmm. At least if it's on the front of your vehicle, you can keep an eye on it.

Chum lee

Thank you.Everybody wants to witch about the "Me, me, it's all about me generation.

[Chum_lee]

"An engineer friend saw it yesterday and said he thought it was extremely dangerous, because at freeway speed it could potentially set up a wobble, twist itself off, and end up underneath the front of the van. And, as he pointed out, that would be much worse than a rear rack coming off and dragging."

So it would be OK if the rack (or it's contents) fell off the back and ended up under someone else's vehicle? As long as you don't know about it, . . . . no problem? Hummmmmmmmmmmmmm. At least if it's on the front of your vehicle, you can keep an eye on it.

Chum lee

[valhalla360]

Naio wrote:
Where/how would I find an expert to check it out? I like that idea, but I don't have any idea who to consult.


I don't have a lot of weight on the rack. Less than 100 pounds, and it is rated for 500.

The roof is not an option for me; I can't be climbing that ladder all the time.

If it's rated for 500 and installed correctly, it has been reviewed.

Unless the weight is distributed in an unusual way, it shouldn't be an issue.

That said, a dual receiver or otherwise stabilized system is much better.

[JRscooby]

JTLance wrote:
I always thought it looked silly and wasn't safe, regardless.

Geeze, If you need all that garbage, buy a trailer.

Where is the safety issue compared to the same stuff on a wheel-less trailer on the back?