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Post Info TOPIC: ADDING A BBQ BOX TO REAR BUMPER?
gandk


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ADDING A BBQ BOX TO REAR BUMPER?
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I would like to ad a checkerplate box to the the very solid rear bumper of my Goldstream RV Offroader to carry a Baby Webber. The van came with two steel gerry can holders on the rear and was thinking of removing one of those. The box I have would not extend past the spare wheel that is already on the bumper. 

I know I am going to have comments on not adding extra weight to the bumper, but am wondering who I can check with eg: caravan council or some such body of experts. As I live in a regional area far from a capital city I'm not sure what would be available.

 



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Wanda


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No Engineer and not a fan of adding heavy objects to the back of a van if it was not there from first build, BUT,
I would think that if the bar has been designed with 20lt containers in mind(2x40kilo) that by removing 1 and repacing it with something else of similar size, and quite probably lighter, it should be OK, but as I have said I am no Engineer.
Give Colin a call at the Caravan Council of Australia
cheers
Ian



-- Edited by Wanda on Thursday 10th of September 2020 09:00:48 AM

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vince56


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In my humble opinion, given that the BBQ will be lighter and as it doesn't extend past the spare I can't see an issue, you are not adding weight to the structure. Why not weigh both items and make sure you are lighter than original? To be sure I would call the manufacturer, I am sure your query would be quickly answered.

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bgt


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Check that you don't exceed rear overhang laws. I'm not up with current regulations but the use to be limits on axle to rear etc etc.

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yobarr


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bgt wrote:

Check that you don't exceed rear overhang laws. I'm not up with current regulations but the use to be limits on axle to rear etc etc.

 Should be OK there,as OP says that box will not project further than present spare wheel does.Rule is rear overhang must not be more than 60% of wheel base. (From memory,that's right) Cheers

Thanks Bruce...now sorted!



-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 10th of September 2020 06:37:07 PM

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bgt


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Overhang must not be more than 60% of the wheel base. But that only applies to motorhomes!! Or it once did. But somewhere there is a rule that states that you can't exceed the length of the original design. In other words the length of what was engineered. But everyday you see 'strange' setups that make you think no one is checking.

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oldbloke


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bgt wrote:

Overhang must not be more than 60% of the wheel base. But that only applies to motorhomes!! Or it once did. But somewhere there is a rule that states that you can't exceed the length of the original design. In other words the length of what was engineered. But everyday you see 'strange' setups that make you think no one is checking.

 

 

Just what cop would know those regulations. Lol



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yobarr


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bgt wrote:

Check that you don't exceed rear overhang laws. I'm not up with current regulations but the use to be limits on axle to rear etc etc.

 Rear overhang must not exceed 3.7 metres,and most not be more than the length of the load carrying area,or body,ahead of the rear overhang line,which is the axle on single axle vans,or a point midway between the axles on a two axle van.(Pig trailer type).Cheers



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montie


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Rear overhang must not exceed the load area forward of the axle(s).
Any weight on the rear van bumper will impact both stability and ball weight so you need to be careful in this regard.

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montie


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montie wrote:

Rear overhang must not exceed 3.7 mtrs or the load area forward of the axle(s).
Any weight on the rear van bumper will impact both stability and ball weight so you need to be careful in this regard.

 



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Lozza56


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I had a checker box  fitted to rear of caravan, for the same reason, to fit my "OZPIG" cooker and for carrying wood

My caravan maker done it, extended rear bar rails, fitted box etc.

Yes i know about extra weight, but there's times when you get to a camp site, where there is no wood for miles, so the rear box very handy.

If interested, i can give you dimensions, pic etc

Cheers 

Laurie



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gandk


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Thanks Wanda. Do you know his surname?

And thank you to all who have replied, most helpful. Laurie, I have PM'd you. 

Cheers 

Kim (must change the gandk as there is no g anymore.



-- Edited by gandk on Saturday 12th of September 2020 07:50:08 AM

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Lozza56


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I could mot open link

Anyway, ive attached 2 pics of checker box ... on my Supreme Caravan.

Cheers

Laurie



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yobarr


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Lozza56 wrote:

I could mot open link

Anyway, ive attached 2 pics of checker box ... on my Supreme Caravan.

Cheers.Laurie

 Whaaat? Could I suggest that you research the perils of "yaw" ? And I would be more than surprised if your rear overhang did not exceed the length of your front load area. Cheers



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Lozza56


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Total length from front to rear all legal, including overhang, approved by Manufacturer and by Vic Roads, who also approved GVM upgrade

Fyi



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yobarr


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Lozza56 wrote:

Total length from front to rear all legal, including overhang, approved by Manufacturer and by Vic Roads, who also approved GVM upgrade

Fyi

 Hi Laurie....a bit of research has shown that,on your model of caravan,the axles seem to be more rearward than central,so rear overhang may not be an issue.However,yaw may still be an issue with so much weight behind the rear axis.As an aside,how much were you able to increase your GVM (ATM)? Cheers.



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dieseltojo


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If it ain't heavy say 10 kg all up it might pass muster. No one worries when a caravan rolls past with two 35 kg tyres on the back do they. The registered length of a van as far as that goes is to the rear of the spare wheel.

Yet they stick two bikes on them in store bought carriers and as long as the license plate is attached no problems. Two bikes hanging out the back easily equal 50 kg all up.

It is a great starting point for some interesting arguement isnt it?smile

I actually have a small box on the back which contains a spare toilet cassette to assist ifIi need to extend some time from a far away dump point. I have had som interesting conversation over that little indescretion from well meaning folks with fishing rod holders poking out the front of their forbies....

I bought a small fold up flat Barby that whilst cheaply made, does a good job and is easy to carry. I think it was around $25-00 delivered a while ago. A bloke could easily build a better one just like it, but it has lasted two years and still ok.

just saying, there are alternatives.smile



-- Edited by dieseltojo on Sunday 13th of September 2020 01:07:13 PM

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Peter_n_Margaret


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yobarr wrote:
bgt wrote:

Check that you don't exceed rear overhang laws. I'm not up with current regulations but the use to be limits on axle to rear etc etc.

 Rear overhang must not exceed 3.7 metres,and most not be more than the length of the load carrying area,or body,ahead of the rear overhang line,which is the axle on single axle vans,or a point midway between the axles on a two axle van.(Pig trailer type).Cheers

Correct, unless the trailer is specifically for a glider in which case it is exempt from the 3.7m part of the limitations.

The Bath University has done a lot of study on caravan stability.

Here is a video that all caravaners should watch and it is relevant to this discussion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwlgZG55QWk

The conclusion is that putting extra stuff on the rear will reduce stability, even if balanced by stuff on the front.

And conversely, removing weight from the ends will IMPROVE stability.

Cheers,

Peter



-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Sunday 13th of September 2020 02:46:28 PM

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KJB


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Flywheel affect....



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gandk


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Thanks Laurie



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