Tongue storage under $100 w/ pictures

Dalehelman

I purchased a UTV Cargo rack from Harbor Freight $49. Two cargo totes from Walmart $19 ea. I modified the racks to fit the trailer tongue with a little cutting and welding then bolted racks to the frame. Pictures show end results.

jkjenn

I like how you are thinking Dale. Any concern that the bolts can weaken the integrity of the tongue frame? The M416 and Dinoot trailer folks use those HF racks all of the time and you can generally find a 20% off one item coupon.

Dalehelman

Actually the tongue rails are stronger. The rack mounting Is 1 1/2" x 1/6" x 24" steel with the same bolted on the inside. That's a lot of reinforcement.
I did get the 20%off if I had bought it yesterday I would have got 25% off.

jkjenn

Thanks, Dale. I really like this idea. I have 2 Rubbermaid containers I carry that are not heavy, but take up space and these would be perfect solutions for me. It would be sort of cool to have someone fab up the same type of over the rails mount that the new T@b Outback rack has.

Verna

jkjenn said:

 It would be sort of cool to have someone fab up the same type of over the rails mount that the new T@b Outback rack has.

http://teardropshop.com/collections/t-b-parts/products/t-b-aluminum-platform     $395

Little Guy already has it, Jenn.  It says it fits on Little Guy T@B's 2011 and newer.  It says it gives more room on each side of your tub. It doesn't say it has to be under the diamond plate aluminum tub, although it does show it under the diamond plate tub.

JandJ92010

Looks nice, just be careful when you back up, not to jack- knife too far. Things could get ugly.

Dalehelman

I can jack knife over 90• without issue with our Jeep GC. Little Guy TABs have very long tongues for such a short trailer.

Deltaboy59

Any concerns about overloading tongue...?
My T@B maxx s is setup as I understand with about 10 percent of its weight on tongue which is what is recommended... Not much wiggle room...

Dalehelman

Deltaboy59
Weight has not been an issue with the trailer. I do consider that when storing items in the totes. Up to a point tongue weight has more to do with tow vehicle and hitch rating. The generator adds most of the weight to the tongue and there have been know adverse problems. My tongue weight is around 250 - 275 still with in the 10% to 15% ratio.

Deltaboy59

Does anyone know if the propane tank filled and battery are included in stated tongue weight of 155 pounds on the T@B ? If not, then that added weight is right at max tongue weight... Right ? My tongue weight of 155 on a 1670 pound trailer gives me around 95 pounds to play with to stay within recommended range, but if you add propane and battery then we are talking about 45 -50 pounds of extra weight... Any info ? 
I like your mods... 

ChanW

Delta, it's a variable thing, because you adjust the tongue weight with shifting the load in the Tab forward of the axle or to the rear of the axle. 

I often adjust things differently depending on if the three tanks, black, gray, and fresh, are full or empty.

I've actually weighed the tongue with a bathroom scale, so I'd get a feel for what 200 pounds feels like when using my back (using your back is not necessarily recommended)...

Deltaboy59

Sounds reasonable...I always tow with an empty T@B since I'm pulling with a 4 cylinder...so that limits me from adjusting load weight. I fill my tanks etc when I arrive at my destination. I pack my CRV staying well under GVWR...keeps me from carrying too much stuff...as it is now... I barely know the T@B is behind me. I keep spare under seat behind axle to keep tongue weight right at 175...with propane tank full. Always looking for ways to add efficient storage and your additions might work for me. Thanks.