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03-01-2015, 01:14 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: midland
Posts: 12
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exterior storage
I'm thinking of using underbody boxes for exterior storage on my Bullet 207.These are used on semi trailers and have doors on the front instead of on the top. The boxes on semi-trailers are too large but they make smaller versions. They are attached to the trailer main frame somehow. The lower decorative sheet metal would have to have a section cut out to make room. I would think this would be preferable to trying to attach a storage box to the rear bumper. Has anyone tried this?
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03-01-2015, 05:30 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,348
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Welcome to the forum
The decorative trim is called J wrap. It is attached to the lower portion of the exterior and extends down to give the trailer a "finished" look. It also serves as a cover for some components. Low point drains, drain valves, some wiring etc.
The only problem I see is how to attach them. The frame is inboard and if you just attach to that, the boxes would have zero support. If you weld, bolt supports under the boxes then I don't see how to support the outer edge. If you were to build a "box" support, I suppose you could attach it at the outer edge up into the subfloor. Interesting topic, I hope this sparks a good discussion.
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2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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03-01-2015, 06:09 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Okotoks Alberta
Posts: 26
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This from Lippert would be very nice and solve some RV spare tire problems.
http://store.lci1.com/sliding-storag...e-tire-carrier
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2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 HD Turbo Diesel/ Smarty Jr.
2015 Sprinter Campfire Edition
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03-02-2015, 08:21 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: midland
Posts: 12
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The semi trailer boxes use L-shaped angle iron brackets to carry the box. I don't weld but I could find a shop to do it for a price. I was hoping there was a way to bolt or clamp to the main I-beam frame. That Lippert storage system looks promising. I couldn't find mounting info on their site. Thanks for the lead. I will look further into their system.
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03-02-2015, 03:18 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 1,910
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If you start chopping up the aluminum paneling on the sides, you can kiss your resale value good bye. I also think you will run into ground clearance issues between the frame and the ground.
I opted to have the bumper beefed up and had a custom aluminum box made that sits on half the bumper and comes up to the bottom of the taillight. If you had two of those built and used the Lippert pullout trays with tire storage, you could use one that spanned the entire width of the bumper and that would give you a lot of outside storage. I have a thread somewhere in the mods section showing the box and bumper supports. I have not had any issues with it.
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2011 Outback 277RL
2013 F250 XLT Crew Cab 6.2L
Bitter Gun Owner
Bitter Clinger
Armed Infidel
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03-02-2015, 04:50 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Kannapolis
Posts: 148
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Quote:
Originally Posted by master sprinter
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That's an interesting idea. I like putting the tire under the chassis and out of the UV light.
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2016 Coachmen Chaparral 390QSMB
Traded 2009 VR1 310 BHS
Tow Vehicle: 2015 Dodge Ram 2500 Crew Cab Cummins.
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03-03-2015, 08:48 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Haymarket, VA
Posts: 382
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While I agree with Bob Landry, I also don't understand why trailer manufacturers can't see that this would be a really great added feature. Our previous trailer was a 28' Hornet that had next to no where near enough storage inside although with two slid outs it was OK on living space. The reason we traded up to our current 38' Montana was for more living space and a LOT more storage. Could have gotten by with the Hornet longer if there had been this kind of storage built in.
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'06 F350 Lariat turbo diesel dually, Curt 20k, Softopper, Aerosheld, coolant filter, air bags
'10 3665RE Hickory, wet bolts, Trimetric battery monitor, 4 100w panels & Morningstar TS-45, still tweeking!
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03-03-2015, 09:06 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 1,910
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I don't understand that either and until the designers stop thinking like designers, engineers, and bean counters, and start thinking like campers, that's probably not going to change.
They probably think that with an entry level trailer, you don't need to take the whole house for a weekend at the lake, and you probably don't, but when you start adding extra sewer and water hoses, power cords, leveling blocks, tools, parts, gas grill, and maybe an air compressor, space dries up pretty quick. That's why I had the storage box built for my bumper. It's saved my bacon on many occasions.
On my Outback, I was limited to the front pass-through for storage and the hatches were even too small to get anything large inside.I had an outdoor kitchen on the curb side that was worthless so I converted it to hold a CampChef stove.
The inside is just the opposite, we have more room for storage than four people would need. We scratch for things to put in there. It just goes to show that RVs, like boats, are marketed towards the aesthetic tastes of the female buyer and not the functional uses for us guys.
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2011 Outback 277RL
2013 F250 XLT Crew Cab 6.2L
Bitter Gun Owner
Bitter Clinger
Armed Infidel
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03-03-2015, 12:33 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Okotoks Alberta
Posts: 26
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One reason is anything they add to your new rig adds weight and these little things add up. They could potentially lose a customer because of their TV. So they sell the RV and let people do what they do...add weight!
__________________
2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 HD Turbo Diesel/ Smarty Jr.
2015 Sprinter Campfire Edition
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