Rack mounted to the jack brackets

[Bdold]

Has anyone mounted a rack to the jack brackets?

My vision is to mount 24" square tubing directly to the 3 holes on the jack brackets and then connect, by welding, the length of the camper. So, basically I will have a rectangular shaped rack for mounting a kayak. I believe the weight would be around 75lbs, including the kayak. Does this seem like a bad idea?

Bryan

 

[BSS]

Sounds like a pretty slick idea to me as long as it doesn't interfere with mounting the jacks.

...or going through a drive-thru or ATM

And depending on which side and how the rest of your weight is distributed, you may need a few extra pounds of pressure in that airbag. I'd recommend putting it on the passenger side to offset some of the water, fridge, and LP gas weight.

 

[Cort]

I like this idea as well. Could be a very good use of space. Make sure you put some pictures up if you do it. You could mount the rack with pins so that you could remove it for when you need the jacks

Good luck,

Cort

 

[brett13]

Now I'm wondering if one of the rear jack brackets could support a jerry can? A full jerry can weighs what, 30#? Is that too much stress bouncing around on the frame of the camper?

 

[chnlisle]

Should work I mount the "legs" of my awning there.

 

[pods8]

Now I'm wondering if one of the rear jack brackets could support a jerry can? A full jerry can weighs what, 30#? Is that too much stress bouncing around on the frame of the camper?


My hydraulic jacks probably weight 40#...

 

[Crickert]

Now I'm wondering if one of the rear jack brackets could support a jerry can? A full jerry can weighs what, 30#? Is that too much stress bouncing around on the frame of the camper?


I think it is all how the jerry can bracket is mounted to the jack bracket. If the base of the jerry can bracket was flush with the bottom of the jack mount and a person made a flat triangular support that tied in the top of the jack bracket and the left or right side of the jerry can base (depending on which side it's mounted) it might be solid enough without to much strain on the corner of the camper.

 

[brett13]

I think it is all how the jerry can bracket is mounted to the jack bracket. If the base of the jerry can bracket was flush with the bottom of the jack mount and a person made a flat triangular support that tied in the top of the jack bracket and the left or right side of the jerry can base (depending on which side it's mounted) it might be solid enough without to much strain on the corner of the camper.

I'm not sure I follow, but as someone said, the jacks themselves weigh about 40# and they don't hurt anything.

 

[pods8]

I'm not sure I follow, but as someone said, the jacks themselves weigh about 40# and they don't hurt anything.


He's just talking about how to tie the bracket in and distribute the load across the jack bracket.

I'd tend to say my suggestion would be to limit moment forces on the bracket as much as you can and keep the can vertically aligned as much as practical.

 

[Alex]

I've been thinking using jack bracket for mounting shovel, hi-lift, bridging board and etc. The bracket should be plenty strong as long as there it no torque applied.
Here is what Marty and Jeff did on my camper, the can holder is hold up by a steel plate bolted through the camper and the holder is bolted through the jack bracket to keep it from rotating.

 

[brett13]

I've been thinking using jack bracket for mounting shovel, hi-lift, bridging board and etc. The bracket should be plenty strong as long as there it no torque applied.
Here is what Marty and Jeff did on my camper, the can holder is hold up by a steel plate bolted through the camper and the holder is bolted through the jack bracket to keep it from rotating.


That's exactly what I was thinking, Alex. Is the weight supported mostly by the bolt through the wall or is that to limit the torque on the bracket? Did ATC beef up the frame for this purpose?

 

[Alex]

That's exactly what I was thinking, Alex. Is the weight supported mostly by the bolt through the wall or is that to limit the torque on the bracket? Did ATC beef up the frame for this purpose?

There is a 1/4" steel plate at the bottom supporting the whole can holder. You can't see the plate in those pictures. The plate it bolted through the bottom of the camper with 4 elevator bolts similar to this http://www.scffastener.com/image/products/Machine/Elevator%20Bolt001.jpg
The can is bolted to the 1/4" plate and bolt to the jack bracket to keep it from leaning away from the truck and rotating. The camper frame in not touched or beef up. I've carry a full can of gas on my last trip to Mojave reserver did more than 40 miles on bumpy dirt road the setup holds up fine. You can talk to Mary at ATC he should remember the setup he and Jeff did.

 

[Ted]

Alex,

Thanks for showing the can mount. Can your door still open all the way to the catch without hitting the holder? I suppose you could mount it to the opposite side if it does. Or mount two if it doesn't and you want to carry more gas or gas and water.

We got our holder from AT a couple of months ago and I have been playing with different mounting options. That looks good and ATC is only 20 minutes away. I may have to pay them a visit.

Ted

 

[Alex]

Ted,
Unfortunately the door does hit the can holder, I glued a rubber pad on the door and use a bungee cord to hold the door open. You can mount the holder on driver side, my truck is already much heavier on the driver side so I put it on the passenger side. The steel plate is very strong I think it can hold two can holders if you want to and mount the holders this direction.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Alex

 

[Bdold]

I brought this idea up to my friend and he said I need to be aware of width requirements. He said 8' is the maximum width. I've got a Grandby on a dodge 2500. With my kayak I think I'll be pushing it.

My new idea is to mount a rack on the truck bed rails and come out and up over the camper door. I can mount 2 kayaks vertically on each side of the camper door. One end of my kayaks would rest on my hitch hauler.

PODS- What is your background?
Bryan

 

[kcowyo]

Now I'm wondering if one of the rear jack brackets could support a jerry can? A full jerry can weighs what, 30#? Is that too much stress bouncing around on the frame of the camper?



Les/lqhikers did this. Used the jack bracket and a bolt to the underside of his camper to make it work...

See post #19 -

 

[pods8]

My new idea is to mount a rack on the truck bed rails and come out and up over the camper door. I can mount 2 kayaks vertically on each side of the camper door. One end of my kayaks would rest on my hitch hauler.

PODS- What is your background?
Bryan


I say a FWC last week on I90 that had one raft on top of it and another lashed to the back across the door. Where there is a will there is a way.

My avatar picture? Its my rig up at Mt. Baker during a snow storm with our boards sitting in front of it.

 

[Bdold]

No, I meant engineering. Or some tech background?

Last weekend I had my raft on top of the grandby but, I was outside Casper WY. I'm not sure I'll do that again as I was concerned about the aluminum roof.

Go Avalanche!

BD