Need a design for an outside drying rack

[wayfun]

I need to come up with a design for an outside drying rack to use for beach towels and some clothing. I would like something that mounts on the trailer's rear bumper. Anyone have a clever idea for a rack?

Thanks,
Dennis

[Richard6959]

Purchase one http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/smart-dryer/38131

[Williston324]

Lots of these around. Purchase or make it

http://www.pvcplans.com/rv-clothes-rack.htm

[B&T]

another one:

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/bumper-mount-rv-clothesline/67676

[KanTC]

Dennis,

Another member posted pics of the one he made... maybe you can get an idea from his? ;) http://keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6713

Terri, the Chevy co-pilot :)

[wayfun]

Thanks Teri, I think I can work with that design and maybe make a couple of changes.

[Festus2]

wayfun -
If you have a roof ladder, the cross members can always be used to dry beach towels and the like. What about a rope strung between two trees or ???? Awning supports?

While not new, all of these are "free". Very little, if any, assembly required. Don't take up any storage space - well except for the rope.

The rope and awning supports may look a bit "tacky" and are not hidden from view but if you're hanging wet towels and not your underwear you should be good to go. You're camping, right?

[wayfun]

The rope and awning supports may look a bit "tacky" and are not hidden from view but if you're hanging wet towels and not your underwear you should be good to go. You're camping, right?

Thanks Festus. To be honest we're probably not really "camping". I own a lot in a condo RV park in Florida where we'll spend the winter. Most of the lots now have permanent homes on them and there are rules regarding "laundry" outside. Any drying rack needs to be hidden from view from the street and I don't have a rear ladder. I'm going to come up with something to mount on the bumper. We've tried some of the free standing racks but they are too lightweight and they blow over.

After looking at some pvc options I've got an idea that I think will work. I'm going to build in the next few days and I'll post a photo if it works.

Dennis

[Festus2]

Dennis -
I thought you might be "camping" in an RV park that has rules about hanging your laundry outside which would explain why you're looking for something a bit fancier than a "rope stretched between two trees". After all, no one wants to be seen as airing their dirty laundry in public.

When you're finished the project, photos would be nice.

[glenalt]

Great ideas, thanks.

[wayfun]

I finished up my drying rack this evening. I constructed it out of 1 1/4" schedule 40 pvc. It is designed to rest on the spare tire. The rack is cantilevered to the rear with a couple of arms pointing to the front with eye bolts. I then ran some rope from the eye bolts to the bumper to provide counter support for the rack. It seems plenty sturdy enough. I like this because it is only as thick as the pipe and can be easily stowed for transport. Here are a couple of photos that I shot this evening but it was dark outside. I'll take some better shots tomorrow and update these.

Dennis

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/25/cabd45c2f86a7581c39a4660a1107c70.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/25/1f37047c4ac02dc0f25e860da9b37753.jpg

[wayfun]

Here are some better pictures from this morning.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/26/3e929acc7d7d7fce874d7247f0fa6884.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/26/c7b55ff67a9623dcc704c7402d407d44.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/26/6e501e8e688e1238c2f746487e261ae9.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/26/3e4fde9653bac2c782ba9e95170fc639.jpg

[GMcKenzie]

What did you use for the strings?

[wayfun]

The cords are from a kit I picked up at Lowes. It's a light duty nylon rope with cam lock hooks at each end. I think it will be strong enough.

Dennis

[Wes Tausend]

...

Another handy possibility for just a couple of items is to use a couple of suction-cup handles (http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=suction+cup) from Harbor Freight.

The large 4-1/2 inch, $3 one shown below claims to hold 80#'s for example:
................................http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/160x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_18136.jpg

.
.
They should attach anywhere on the smooth Filon siding now so popular with late model campers, and a rope or piece of pvc pipe may be extended between them. My wife read of the compact, low cost idea on another forum, so we have a couple, but we haven't tried it yet.

Wes
...

[mjeronimo]

I used old market umbrella (because it's wood) welded 2 bolts and nut for t handle to 1 1/2 " electrical conduit drilled through spare holder. next removed some ribs from umbrella cut down others. Had to install 1/8"X1"x24" aluminum strips, ribs have no lateral strength. I put slot in aluminum so umbrella could close(bolt slides in slot). Push center hub all the way up and drilled new hole for keeper pin so ribs are flat instead of sloped like umbrella.
Moderator please forgive me if I have to make a few posts I can't figure out how to post multiple pics. I'm more handy then tech savvy!

(Moderator's Note: Not to worry -- I merged your posts into one)

Slot on aluminum

Top view of umbrella

Pics of conduit

[HappyCamperMN]

Maybe not what you're looking for, my free-standing version is here -> http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16651