Fifth wheel - Undercarrage picnic table carrier

Jgkopp · 06-21-2016, 07:44 PM

I have a neighbor who did this in our RV Resort. Realizing I have the same dilemma, like how am I going to pack up and move this thing? I thought this was a really good idea. So I took some photo's of what he did and did some searching on the internet only to discover not much of anything out there.

So I am in the early designing stage of this carrier and thought I would post up what I have come up with so far. The two boxes near the front are going to be rollers and I am thinking maybe another one in the middle with some wider metal there too. This will be bolted up to the factory I Beams. I am attaching photo's of what he did and my drawing so far. If there is already a post on here I could not find it. Any feedback or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks
John

gearhead · 06-22-2016, 03:31 AM

I'm missing the point of this. You have a picnic table that won't fit in your storage bay? Apparently it has folding legs, the rack you are fabricating is only 7" deep.
Looking at the pictures, I can't tell what was used to connect that snap swivel to the frame. I will say you should never pull sideways on an eye bolt. I wouldn't trust that snap swivel too much, use a shackle instead.
Be thinking about your warranty when you go drilling holes in your frame.

Jgkopp · 06-22-2016, 05:22 AM

Yes it won't fit in storage bay. It folds so that it can lay flat about 4" thick. I am giving plenty of height because the plastic on underside is sagging a bit. This framed rack will also push it back up a bit. Table is 71" long and will slide into this carrier with table upside down. Table and seats are all in one. Was purchased from Costco.

Jgkopp · 06-22-2016, 05:28 AM

The rack photos is what the neighbor in our park had done. Yes I will safety chain it in place with a better method. Our picnic table is shown set up on our patio.

I am also thinking about not drilling into I Beams but instead clamping onto them in four locations to secure this.

Not much of a video here but this is the only thing I found on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2jyoTdV1_Y

Lic0rice · 06-22-2016, 06:49 AM

In the video it look like the new shelf is welded to the frame, which would be your safest option.

gearhead · 06-22-2016, 12:35 PM

I think I would sell the table and get one that fit in the storage bay.

tEE · 06-22-2016, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

I think I would sell the table and get one that fit in the storage bay.

What fun is there in that

Mike484 · 06-22-2016, 02:41 PM

I think it's a great idea, room in the storage compartment is sometimes a premium, why take up the space with a picnic table when you can store it elsewhere.

dcg9381 · 06-22-2016, 05:35 PM

I like it too.. easy in, easy out.. Keeping it out of the storage bay has big advantages.

byrdr1 · 06-23-2016, 04:13 AM

what about road dirt, tar, flying pieces of junk hitting the table as you drive?
cover table with a wrap type/ bag something?
I added a sewer pipe thing and painted it black, once we made the trip to OK that thing has all kinds of pings on it. You can tell it took some abuse.
just asking.
randy

Jgkopp · 06-23-2016, 05:11 AM

On the video installation I believe he bolted it up using those round cylinders and bolts as his material looks to be aluminum with some gusset supports. I am thinking of using some 18 ga plate steel with some L channel metal and black powder coating. I guess I could secure a section of coroplast under this rack to protect the table. Hmm, I will have to think about doing that. That would turn out sweet and light weight.

I don't get the point of his video as he showed no details in what he had done. I guess he was just making it obvious a kid could unsecure, remove and replace. It appears he used rollers of some kind to have it roll out. That is my observation anyway.

Thanks for the feedback everyone, I also think its a good idea.

Steve S · 06-23-2016, 11:51 PM

I like this idea, it really makes good sense

I think that if you weld it then it'll be safer and you're good to go. Post more pics as you proceed with the project

Jgkopp · 07-10-2016, 03:03 PM

Making progress...ready for powder coating.

Video:
https://youtu.be/QWf6ycJcskg

roadglide · 07-10-2016, 07:36 PM

I watched the videos and I'm not getting the idea with undercarriage picnic table . Wouldn't it be easier to mount brackets on the back bumper and secure your picnic table that way?

Jgkopp · 07-21-2016, 07:11 PM

It's done and works awesome! We can now carry our own full size picnic table with an easy unloading and loading method without taking up any room in our storage compartments. This rear mounting location removes some pin weight too. Working on a video on this.

John

Assembled carrier sitting on the picnic table it will carry.

Installed and mounted at the rear of our 5th wheel.

Jgkopp · 07-22-2016, 03:57 AM

Video of finished product:
https://youtu.be/bvEk6VQT_R4

keyholeelf · 07-22-2016, 05:45 AM

Hello,
I noticed in your video there seemed to be a mod for the spare tire. Would you share that mod.

Thanks

byrdr1 · 07-22-2016, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keyholeelf

Hello,
I noticed in your video there seemed to be a mod for the spare tire. Would you share that mod.

Thanks

X2

can't see this mod at work but will check at home.

randy

GaryWT · 07-22-2016, 06:33 AM

I like any storage item like that but I am confused. Unless you boondock a lot, why do you carry a picnic table? I have never been to a campground that did not supply a table at every site.

Jgkopp · 07-22-2016, 09:17 AM

You go to nice campgrounds. We go to several that don't have tables plus ours is a nice one.

I am right against the spare tire. Only had to loosen it to allow it to swing over an inch more. Then I just tightened it back up. There is a water tank drain hose that hanged down and it also cleared this hose because there is a space between the seat and table. This was all possible because of the amount of room I had to work with and I took up every inch.

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