A-Texan
RVF Regular
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2023
- Messages
- 76
- Location
- Texas
- RV Year
- 2022
- RV Make
- Gulfstream Kingsport Ultralite
- RV Model
- 199RK
- RV Length
- 23
- Fulltimer
- No
Well, this week I finally got time to make my generator carrier for the back of my trailer. I used a bumper reinforcement kit (supposedly it increases the bumper's ability to carry up to 200 lbs), support arms that connect to the bumper after it is has been reinforced (each set of arms is rated for 200 lbs), a stick of angle iron, and a stick of flat steel. I will be securing it with cable and chain to keep honest folks honest and I plan on using a cover to cover it when not in use. Because the carrier and generator's weight is roughly 70 lbs I removed the spare tire and carrier which weighed nearly that amount (about 60 lbs), I then moved my spare up to the front of the trailer in the cargo area under the bed to balance it out (honestly, I didn't realize how heavy the spare was until I took it off and weighed it and the bracket to see the difference in weight). So basically I am carrying about 10 lbs more on the back bumper in the same location now; therefore, I feel pretty confident it will be ok considering I added the reinforcement kit. So the back bumper was supporting 70 lbs, and now it is supporting 80 lbs. I will be watching the back bumper closely on these next few trips I have planned and if it twist, bends, distorts, etc. I will remove it and just weld another one on that is thicker metal (that's my plan at least, but hopefully this is not an issue). Below are the details on how I installed everything.
Bumper reinforcement and arm kit $48.90
Angle Iron 6ft stick
Flat Iron 6 ft stick
Grill from an old smoker (re-purposed)
Black Paint, Primer and Clear Coat (left over from a small project I did a few years back)
First I cut the angle Iron to make a box and drilled the holes in it to bolt it together (before welding) and fitted the base in place. For this I bolted it to my work bench to get everything square and level while fitting the parts I cut to the arms that came with the kit.
Next, I went ahead and welded the edges on the front, back, and sides of the arms, the base grill insert, and the two cross braces fitted to the dimensions of the generator so it can't slide around (I am using a chain to lock it down to the bumper and carrier).
Then, I sanded it down with 400 gritt sand paper, got out the spray gun and sprayed it with primer, paint and clearcoat.
Last of all, I added the bumper reinforcement brackets which required drilling three holes on each frame rail (I used red loctite on the bolts to be sure they don't back out from vibration and I tapped the metal frame using a 5/16 - 18 NC tap and the bolts went in and tightened nicely.
Bumper reinforcement and arm kit $48.90
Angle Iron 6ft stick
Flat Iron 6 ft stick
Grill from an old smoker (re-purposed)
Black Paint, Primer and Clear Coat (left over from a small project I did a few years back)
First I cut the angle Iron to make a box and drilled the holes in it to bolt it together (before welding) and fitted the base in place. For this I bolted it to my work bench to get everything square and level while fitting the parts I cut to the arms that came with the kit.
Next, I went ahead and welded the edges on the front, back, and sides of the arms, the base grill insert, and the two cross braces fitted to the dimensions of the generator so it can't slide around (I am using a chain to lock it down to the bumper and carrier).
Then, I sanded it down with 400 gritt sand paper, got out the spray gun and sprayed it with primer, paint and clearcoat.
Last of all, I added the bumper reinforcement brackets which required drilling three holes on each frame rail (I used red loctite on the bolts to be sure they don't back out from vibration and I tapped the metal frame using a 5/16 - 18 NC tap and the bolts went in and tightened nicely.