Rear bumper tube for storage

CrossRoads

Has anyone tried to add a rear bumper using 5 or 6" PVC to use for hose or rug storage? 

Homebodyatheart

@Dalehelman has added a black hose holder in the rear. 

Verna

Try a search on sewer storage.

ChanW

I had actually gone out and purchased a piece of 6" PVC which I intended to mount under the Tab. Darn thing was so heavy, I returned it to the store!

Camping World has a tube that's lightweight, has covers for the ends, and mounting brackets. I mounted that underneath the back of the Tab, tucked under so it's pretty unnoticeable. It has worked well. Pictures in this thread: http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/1725/new-mods-to-my-t-b

There's no framing in the back of the tab to mount a heavy piece of PVC. 

pthomas745

If yours is an Outback/Boondock:

http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/5193/2017-outback-storage-and-sewer-hose-mods#latest

This is a thread about solar panels being installed on the top of a Tab with a detailed description of the precise locations where the panel brackets were screwed into the frame. This "may" be useful if you wanted to go directly above the back bumper and you have the DIY skills.

http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/4971/t-b-solar-panel-roof-mount-with-tilt-able-brackets-mod-for-under-300/p1

drpprmt

Is there any framing in the back of a tab (indoor kitchen/bath model)?  I would also like to mount a rear bumper for safety but am afraid there is no "meat" there to mount to and am afraid I'd screw into heat or electric runs that would spoil my entire day.

ScottG

@drpprmt, I have a 2015 so I am able to access the space inside the plastic tailpiece. IIRC, you are correct about there not being anything structural back there.

Regardless, if I were serious about mounting an actual bumper, I would want it to be connected to the frame of the trailer rather than the camper shell.

Toefoot

ScottG said:

@drpprmt, I have a 2015 so I am able to access the space inside the plastic tailpiece. IIRC, you are correct about there not being anything structural back there.

Regardless, if I were serious about mounting an actual bumper, I would want it to be connected to the frame of the trailer rather than the camper shell.

The very first thing I looked at was to modify the back to have a rear hitch to apply any platform for storage. Without serious mods to the frame I believe this is just a dream.

ScottG

@Toefoot, I agree. This topic has come up a few time in the distant past, but I don't recall if anyone actually went through with it. In addition to the challenge of actually attaching the receiver hitch. There was general consensus that anything on that hitch (like bicycles) would bounce around so violently it would be unusable for any practical purpose.

Toefoot

ScottG said:

@Toefoot, I agree. This topic has come up a few time in the distant past, but I don't recall if anyone actually went through with it. In addition to the challenge of actually attaching the receiver hitch. There was general consensus that anything on that hitch (like bicycles) would bounce around so violently it would be unusable for any practical purpose.

Probably. I thought about it also and came to the conclusion the bike rack will be in front. I have a small platform that goes into the hitch of the Jeep for coolers and chairs and was hoping the T@B also had one.

I am drawing up a new front tub and will order it from the Aluminum box company once my idea is on paper and makes sense. Since going small requires serious thought for storage the new tub will have several functions. I do enjoy our new T@B320 and understand it will evolve as owner input reaches the engineers.....hopefully.

The money NuCamp/Littleguy command for this unit I am a little disappointed in what you get in return when it comes to storage and several other things but hey, adapt and I shall be.

With a CAD program it is not that hard to get creative when it comes to pleasing the market and this front tub was kinda a thorn in my side, no practical storage for the fresh water hose, sewer hose, chalk blocks, electrical hookup, cable and tools for the pleasure trip. NuCamp/Littleguy leaves it up to the tow vehicle to adsorb the storage.

I did see a Euro model that had a larger box in the back in place of the spare tire and basket on the Outback models. 

dragonsdofly

@Toefoot, Nucamp and little guy are no longer affiliated. Just a little fyi.

Toefoot

dragonsdofly said:

@Toefoot, Nucamp and little guy are no longer affiliated. Just a little fyi.

Thank you @dragonsdofly

Sharon_is_SAM

Toefoot, the CS model has the most storage, but having said that, we never thought that an 11 foot RV would hold much.  Try pulling your Outback with a minivan - you'll have plenty of storage

Dalehelman

Made this out of plastic drain pipe from Home Depot

Carolyn

Dale, how did you attach yours?

Dalehelman

Bolted through the rear pan.

BrianZ

Nice job, Dale.  Looks like you may have used some zip ties? 
Wondering if the corrugated tube makes it more difficult to slide a drain pipe in & out, versus a smooth tube.  Also wondering if this arrangement reduces the ground clearance provided by the swept-up back end in situations like going down a steep driveway onto a level street.
Nice photos too.

jgram2

@Dalehelman good looking work, and, by the way, perfectly sized photos! I don't really know if they're 600x800, but they don't crash my iPad! Thanks!

Dalehelman

@BrianZ. The wire ties were just temporary just to find the right location.
Know problem at all with road clearance
on non clam shell.

Dalehelman

@Twojgrams picture size is 480X640

CrossRoads

that's exactly what we want to do. Thanks @Dalehelman

ScottG

While I can see the appeal of this for sewer hose storage, I think calling it a "bumper" is a misnomer. Hit that thing hard enough with anything and I suspect your will be replacing the entire rear end of your camper!  :-0

Dalehelman

It is not designed as a bumper just hose storage for about $20

Ratkity

No no no... The plastic city trash cans that I keep at the corner of the house next to the driveway are bumpers!!

ericnliz

Or so the trash disposal folks seem to think so......