Rear storage box

S

s-m-h

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Sep 13, 2019
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Hello again gang!

Another query from curious George...

Are there any options for a rear storage box not attached to a hitch? Perhaps something mounted to the spare tire carrier? I plan to tow a vehicle at
some point so don't want to rely on the hitch/receiver. I have quad bags so carrying a spare is not entirely necessary. Utilizing the bracket seems
ideal. Any thoughts/ideas are appreciated.

TIA
--
Shawn Harris
North Vancouver,
Canada
1977 Palm Beach 403
 
Curious George,

I'd be very leery of attaching a storage box to the spare tire carrier.
First off, I reject your contention that a spare is not necessary with quad
bag suspension. Run the load numbers for a single tire replacing two --
the overloading of that single tire should convince you that it would be
inadvisable to do more than move cautiously to the next safe parking
location.

Also, the spare tire mount is not very strong. Despite having to carry the
85# or so OEM wheel, it's merely bolted to a somewhat flimsy rear
crossmember. Give the mounted spare a shake -- you'll see what I mean. At
the very least, that crossmember would need reinforcement similar to the
3"x3" angle iron I added as part of my towbar-only (no vertical load) hitch.

There are (or at least WERE) permanently mounted fiberglass cargo boxes
which extend the rear bumper. I don't know whether Frank Jenkins still
offers those.

JMHO,

Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, Troy-Bilt APU, etc., etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com

On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 1:58 AM Shawn Harris via Gmclist <

> Hello again gang!
>
> Another query from curious George...
>
> Are there any options for a rear storage box not attached to a hitch?
> Perhaps something mounted to the spare tire carrier? I plan to tow a
> vehicle at
> some point so don't want to rely on the hitch/receiver. I have quad bags
> so carrying a spare is not entirely necessary. Utilizing the bracket seems
> ideal. Any thoughts/ideas are appreciated.
>
> TIA
> --
> Shawn Harris
> North Vancouver,
> Canada
> 1977 Palm Beach 403
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
it is all about leverage. I have a bike carrier that I hang off the rear spare tire. 2 bikes it is great and solid feeling, but when I put the
extension out and add another 2 bikes it is amazing how much that extra 24" of leverage does to that spare tire mount. I quit hauling 4 bikes like
that, and end up putting 2 bikes on the towd, and 2 bikes on the coach rack.

I just installed a blaine merril hitch, and I am hoping I can make/buy a little rack that will float above the tow bar using one of these:

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Curt/D-192.html

but I know it is all about the further away from the frame you get will cause more problems.
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
 
Thanks guys. I was just floating the idea of the spare tire carrier as an option. You guys are probably right, a bit to flimsy.

Not that I'm looking to get into a debate about the necessity of carrying a spare but it should be noted, I have lost at least a 1000 lbs of factory
weight and will continue to lose more. The heaviest items being 2 roof A/C units and the Onan. I'm confident I can limp to get a spare or park the
coach and use the tow vehicle. Maybe I'm wrong but I know others who don't carry a spare and have full weight.

That double hitch seems like a perfect solution!

Thanks for the thoughts and comments guys

Shawn
--
Shawn Harris
North Vancouver,
Canada
1977 Palm Beach 403
 
To All,
I have run a storage box on the back of the stretch for for the last 9
years and 40K miles. As many have pointed out it is a matter of leverage.
In my original installation I build the mount that was attached to the
spare tire carrier.

<
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/general-pictures/p46878-gmc-stretch-maintenance.html
>

And he first installation was like this:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6477-rear-cargo-carrier.html

Great looking installation, but it wasn't going to work for 2 reason. One,
was the use of the tire mount as the only means of support and two the
hitch was covered up by the storage box. It was really hard to hitch up
the tow hitch.

First modification was to add a 18" hitch extension and this is the one
that I use, there are several on the marked:

<
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007M1FNM?tag=duckduckgo-osx-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1
>

The hitch extender moved the hitch ball out 18" where it was easy to attach
the tow bar and it gave me a point to add bracing to the storage box mount
on the spare tire mount and the hitch assembly tying the 2 together. Added
note here is that I have a thru the bumper hitch that is welded to the
frame in the back giving me a very robust trailer hitch assembly. The
unfortunate thing I that I do not have any pictures with me here in AZ to
show the final result and layout of the mount, I have looked on the photo
site and my personal file on may laptop and no luck. The brace runs from
the upper box mount on the spare tire down to the extension as close to
where the extension goes into the thru bumper mount hitch, keeps the load
or leverage as close to the hitch to shorten the leveraging on the
extension. Seeing that I need to remove the box to get the spare tire if I
have a tire issue on the coach the lower mount is held to the extension
with HD removable clamps. Yes i have had to remove it the change a tire!

WORDS OF WISDOM: You need to keep the weight down in the storage box!!!!
I have 50' of water hose, 25' of 50A extension cord, 25' of 30A extension
cord, 2 each 10' macerator extension hose, misc small stuff. I think that
the total weight that is in the box is just under a 100 I carry stuff
that I use everyday.

TSC was where I purchased the Box. I also reinforce the box to spread the
load.

<
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/tractor-supply-full-size-low-profile-single-lid-tool-box-silver
>

You can find these at a multitude of store in the US.

I am social distancing in Tucson at this time and hope to be home in 2 to 4
weeks depending on the national situation.
I will find of take new pics and post when I get home.

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
TZE Zone Restorations
78 Buskirk Custom 29.5' Stretch
75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)
Still on Location in Tucson!

On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 6:22 AM Jon Roche via Gmclist <

> it is all about leverage. I have a bike carrier that I hang off the
> rear spare tire. 2 bikes it is great and solid feeling, but when I put
> the
> extension out and add another 2 bikes it is amazing how much that extra
> 24" of leverage does to that spare tire mount. I quit hauling 4 bikes like
> that, and end up putting 2 bikes on the towd, and 2 bikes on the coach
> rack.
>
> I just installed a blaine merril hitch, and I am hoping I can make/buy a
> little rack that will float above the tow bar using one of these:
>
> https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Curt/D-192.html
>
> but I know it is all about the further away from the frame you get will
> cause more problems.
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Thanks JR. I look forward to pictures! Stay safe!

> To All,
> I have run a storage box on the back of the stretch for for the last 9
> years and 40K miles. As many have pointed out it is a matter of leverage.
> In my original installation I build the mount that was attached to the
> spare tire carrier.
>
> <
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/general-pictures/p46878-gmc-stretch-maintenance.html
> >
>
> And he first installation was like this:
>
>
>
> Great looking installation, but it wasn't going to work for 2 reason. One,
> was the use of the tire mount as the only means of support and two the
> hitch was covered up by the storage box. It was really hard to hitch up
> the tow hitch.
>
> First modification was to add a 18" hitch extension and this is the one
> that I use, there are several on the marked:
>
> <
> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007M1FNM?tag=duckduckgo-osx-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1
> >
>
> The hitch extender moved the hitch ball out 18" where it was easy to attach
> the tow bar and it gave me a point to add bracing to the storage box mount
> on the spare tire mount and the hitch assembly tying the 2 together. Added
> note here is that I have a thru the bumper hitch that is welded to the
> frame in the back giving me a very robust trailer hitch assembly. The
> unfortunate thing I that I do not have any pictures with me here in AZ to
> show the final result and layout of the mount, I have looked on the photo
> site and my personal file on may laptop and no luck. The brace runs from
> the upper box mount on the spare tire down to the extension as close to
> where the extension goes into the thru bumper mount hitch, keeps the load
> or leverage as close to the hitch to shorten the leveraging on the
> extension. Seeing that I need to remove the box to get the spare tire if I
> have a tire issue on the coach the lower mount is held to the extension
> with HD removable clamps. Yes i have had to remove it the change a tire!
>
> WORDS OF WISDOM: You need to keep the weight down in the storage box!!!!
> I have 50' of water hose, 25' of 50A extension cord, 25' of 30A extension
> cord, 2 each 10' macerator extension hose, misc small stuff. I think that
> the total weight that is in the box is just under a 100 I carry stuff
> that I use everyday.
>
> TSC was where I purchased the Box. I also reinforce the box to spread the
> load.
>
> <
> https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/tractor-supply-full-size-low-profile-single-lid-tool-box-silver
> >
>
> You can find these at a multitude of store in the US.
>
> I am social distancing in Tucson at this time and hope to be home in 2 to 4
> weeks depending on the national situation.
> I will find of take new pics and post when I get home.
>
> J.R. Wright
> GMC Great Laker
> GMCGL Tech Editor
> GMC Eastern States
> GMCMHI
> TZE Zone Restorations
> 78 Buskirk Custom 29.5' Stretch
> 75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)
> Still on Location in Tucson!
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 6:22 AM Jon Roche via Gmclist <

>
> > it is all about leverage. I have a bike carrier that I hang off the
> > rear spare tire. 2 bikes it is great and solid feeling, but when I put
> > the
> > extension out and add another 2 bikes it is amazing how much that extra
> > 24" of leverage does to that spare tire mount. I quit hauling 4 bikes like
> > that, and end up putting 2 bikes on the towd, and 2 bikes on the coach
> > rack.
> >
> > I just installed a blaine merril hitch, and I am hoping I can make/buy a
> > little rack that will float above the tow bar using one of these:
> >
> > https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Curt/D-192.html
> >
> > but I know it is all about the further away from the frame you get will
> > cause more problems.
> > --
> > Jon Roche
> > 75 palm beach
> > EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
> > St. Cloud, MN
> > http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

--
Shawn Harris
North Vancouver,
Canada
1977 Palm Beach 403
 
Dan Gregg use to have one of those with his Blaine Merrell Hitch. It worked fine for his towed VW and his 150 CC scooter. I think he got his adapter
from Harbor Freight.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
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