New 320 BD rear aluminum cage - Like or Dislike?

WayneW

I can’t decide if I like the rear aluminum cage on our 2021 320 BD. It’s kind of cool looking but doesn’t serve much functional purpose other than a big towel rack or a place to hang a tube for sewer hose storage (but both of those are handy at times). I kind of like the sleeker appearance w/o the cage. 

I’m thinking about pulling it off and replacing with standard handles. I assume that can be done?  Anyone’s experience or thoughts?  Anyone interested in some kind of a swap of handles for a cage?

DougWW

Love the new rear rack. Sturdier than the 2018 handles I’ve used up to now. Cold though. Might have to have gloves handy. 

mntrails

Mine was delivered without one (early 320S Boondock) and when I asked, NuCamp offered to have one installed at the dealer however there would be no warranty on any cosmetic issues such as weld quality or discoloration.  I looked at it and decided I really like the look without it.  I have the Yakima racks to hang towels, etc on :-).  

MarkAl

I love the concept and I use it as carefully as I can to get access to the top of my rack (I have my remote solar panel there). I dislike doing it as it is not recommended to climb on it - I think LIGHT. NuCamp really ought to design it correctly to support say 300 lbs or DO NOT OFFER IT. It's crazy to have this and allow a lousy weld/finishing excuse for a product feature. I hope that when it finally fails it doesn't harm the lower support brackets. I'll then remove it and put handles on (and bring some kind of step ladder to access the top of the rack. Someone posted the lower support point pics and it did not look well done.

NovaTab

I like it

JabGopher

MarkAl said:

I love the concept and I use it as carefully as I can to get access to the top of my rack (I have my remote solar panel there). I dislike doing it as it is not recommended to climb on it - I think LIGHT. NuCamp really ought to design it correctly to support say 300 lbs or DO NOT OFFER IT. It's crazy to have this and allow a lousy weld/finishing excuse for a product feature. I hope that when it finally fails it doesn't harm the lower support brackets. I'll then remove it and put handles on (and bring some kind of step ladder to access the top of the rack. Someone posted the lower support point pics and it did not look well done.

You're a lot braver than I. I pack a small 2ft aluminum step ladder to access the rear rack.

To the OP - I overall don't mind it primarily because it's a great place to strap the sewer hose holder to. My only wish is that it was powdercoated black so it blends in better with the rear.

WayneW

I've come to appreciate the rack more since my original post.  I've hung my sewer hose holder on it, used it as a towel rack, a place to tie the dog, and a way to push the trailer around.  I still kinda like the looks of the trailer without it, but it is handy.

I like the idea of black powdercoating.  Hmmm, I wonder it a guy could carefully sand it down, clean and prime it, and spray on a black matte finish that would match the Yakima rack.  Or just pull it off and have it powdercoated.

4ncar

Powder coat is forever(almost), rattle can is for a season(almost). If you’re gonna go through the effort, spend the extra money for the powder coat; you’ll be happier.

Verna

@4ncar, can you get powder coat in silver (asks the unknowledgeable blonde!)?  I’ve only seen powder coat in black, and that is why I ask.  Thanks

WayneW

You can get powder coating in a wide variety of colors. One site said they have 6,500 colors. So you’d have to decide which silver!

Verna

Thank you, @WayneW

William_Keever

My wife wouldn’t let me get a Tab unless it had the rack on the back. She just likes how it looks. 

4ncar

@Verna: more then a variety... any color of the rainbow! I have friends who have built custom hot rods where they have powder coated every bit of the underside of the car in colors such as lime green, so, silver should be easy. Another friend is building his drag car as we speak and selected gun metal gray for the rear axle and suspension bits...close, but not quite silver.

Verna

Thanks, @4ncar