Has Anyone Moved Plastic Front TUB Forward ?

MuttonChops · February 2020

Am looking for ways to store rigid frame solar panels on the Outback Front Rack. Present idea is to move the Plastic Tub forward about 3.5 - 4 inches. Then trim one side of Tub so panels will slide in place (how to secure will come later).
This project would include switching to a Grp-27 AGM Battery, adding a longer propane
bottle pigtail, and placing a spare 5# Propane tank on the other side of the Tub.

Preliminary calculations on tongue weight suggest moving stuff forward and adding the heavier battery, panels, and small tank will increase tongue weight 37+ pounds. From 225# typical to 262# range . . .well within my TV limits and the 10%-15% rule.

Preliminary coarse measurements suggest the Tub can move a few inches forward without any major rework.

So, has anyone moved the Tub forward ?
Have any thoughts, warnings?

Sharon_is_SAM · February 2020

We don’t have the Outback platform, but our tub was moved forward by the dealer (about 4 inches) to make room for our large battery. The factory welded a custom battery/tank frame. The gap collects leaves, etc, but it is easy to access the battery switch. If you carry your solar panels in the gap, how will you shield them from road debris?

MuttonChops · February 2020

Sharon_is_SAM said:

. . . our tub was moved forward by the dealer (about 4 inches) to make room for our large battery. The factory welded a custom battery/tank frame.

Promising news, thanks. Unknown would be if the Factory Custom battery/tank frame only changed the battery/tank position or also changed the Frame Mounting Plate** (wheel-2-wheel) spacing.
**The Red Item in my drawing which is pop riveted to Tub and bolted to Frame.

Sharon_is_SAM said:

. . . If you carry your solar panels in the gap, how will you shield them from road debris?

My panels are a DIY Suitcase.
Two rigid frame panels with hinges on one edge so they fold for storage with solar cells facing in. The folded panels are then placed in a Waterproof Artist Carrying Bag {Art Portfolio Bag }. Thought has been that will be enough protection, but may add a layer of cardboard (in bag) to help resist stone strikes.

Sharon_is_SAM · February 2020

@MuttonChops, DH John thinks the position of the frame on the Tab tongue did not change, just the tub moved forward. I will try and look for pictures to see if you can tell.

Sharon_is_SAM · February 2020

Not sure if this helps. Tab is in storage.

MuttonChops · February 2020

Sharon_is_SAM said:

DH John thinks the position of the frame on the Tab tongue did not change, just the tub moved forward.

Sharon_is_SAM said:

Not sure if this helps. Tab is in storage.

Thank you. Based on the picture I Agree with DH that only the Tub Plastic was moved forward on your unit based on the Propane Tank to Propane Regulator spacing. The Outback Platform vertical {upside down "U"} supports seem to be a little forward of the regulator so I would need to move the Propane Tank forward. Moving the Propane/Battery frame - - - without major welding rework - - - is my goal.

Clearly this project needs more thinking, more detailed measurements, and could very well not even happen.

After getting back from 36-nights of Snowbird adventure my head is full of TV and T@B projects. Not sure how I will get half of them completed before the Need to go Camping returns. Thankfully, I'm retired or would not have anytime at all to solve these . . .

MuttonChops · February 2020

Well, storing rigid solar panels behind the Front Tub is dead for now.

Today unbolted the Tub to do some real-world fit checks.
It is doable, but a bit more complicated then first thought
   - - Propane/Battery frame would need to mount to Outback Platform {OK}
         it cannot be mounted to trailer frame if moved forward more than an inch or so
   - - Outback Platform rear vertical inverted "U" would have to be cut off on one side.

I could handle those. However;
a) It looks bad having a 4-inch gap between the tub and T@B
b) Would not be able to remove the Jack Post Mounted Spare when needed - - Not Good - -
      this is a 15-inch Outback/Boondock tire & wheel

So (for now) if the choice is always having the T@B Spare in the TV or only have the Rigid Solar Panels in TV for planned dry-camping events. Do think I'll live with the Solar Panels in the TV.

70+% of my adventures include some dry-camping nights . . . at least I have a pick-up truck bed for cargo .

Have rigid panels because (a) two panels reached my target Wattage, (b) DIY rigid system was way cheaper than 'package suitcase' or 'flexible' panels. Maybe this was the wrong item to opt for the less $$ approach.

Will continue this project focused on a Grp-24 vs. Grp-27 AGM battery upgrade and adding a spare propane tank. Still leaning towards a 5# (1.5 gal max) tank mounted on the Outback platform which will be ~ 1 pound of propane based on the 80% fill rules.

Left for the Winter 2020 Snowbird adventure with a full tank (4# at 80%) after 30-days of using Alde 6+ hours/day, stove cooking once or twice/day, and Fridge dry-camping I was starting to worry about the tank going empty. Weighted the tank after getting home [36 days]. It has 0.75 gallon of Propane; lots if you have park electricity for the Fridge and Alde not so much if everything is running on propane. {{ did have 120VAC for about 40%-50% of nights so propane was only for cooking ~ 45% of trip }}

Has Anyone Moved Plastic Front TUB Forward ?

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