Rear bumper tube for storage

CrossRoads
CrossRoads Member Posts: 2
edited November 2017 in Modifications & Upgrades
Has anyone tried to add a rear bumper using 5 or 6" PVC to use for hose or rug storage? 
2017 T@B S Max Silver/Red TV 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport

Comments

  • Homebodyatheart
    Homebodyatheart Member Posts: 2,516
    @Dalehelman has added a black hose holder in the rear. 
    2017 T@B 320 Max S silver and cherry red, L@dybug ("Bug" aka my esc@pe pod), TV 2015 Toyota Highlander aka Big Red
  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    Try a search on sewer storage.
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    edited July 2025
    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 here


    There's no framing in the back of the tab to mount a heavy piece of PVC. 
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,587
    edited July 2025
    If yours is an Outback/Boondock:

    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.



    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  • drpprmt
    drpprmt Member Posts: 117
    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
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,674
    @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.
    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
  • Toefoot
    Toefoot Member Posts: 38
    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.


    2018 320S Outback pulled by 2012 Jeep Wrangler.
  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,674
    edited November 2017
    @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.
    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
  • Toefoot
    Toefoot Member Posts: 38
    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. 


    2018 320S Outback pulled by 2012 Jeep Wrangler.
  • dragonsdofly
    dragonsdofly Member Posts: 1,927
    @Toefoot, Nucamp and little guy are no longer affiliated. Just a little fyi.
    2017 t@b sofitel(Dr@gonsFly)TV 2015 Silverado 2500hd(Behemoth). Wyandotte, Michigan.
    Draco dormiens numquam titilandus.
  • Toefoot
    Toefoot Member Posts: 38
    dragonsdofly said:
    @Toefoot, Nucamp and little guy are no longer affiliated. Just a little fyi.
    Thank you @dragonsdofly


    2018 320S Outback pulled by 2012 Jeep Wrangler.
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    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
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • Dalehelman
    Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414
    Made this out of plastic drain pipe from Home Depot
    1. Hash  T@B Fun
  • Carolyn
    Carolyn Member Posts: 128
    Dale, how did you attach yours?
    2014 CS, tie-dyed exterior, "Tabula Rasa" and 2009 T@da also tie-dyed, “Grateful”
  • Dalehelman
    Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414
    Bolted through the rear pan.
    1. Hash  T@B Fun
  • BrianZ
    BrianZ Member Posts: 1,770
    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.
    -Brian in Chester, Virginia
    TV: 2005 Toyota Sienna LE (3.3L V6)
    RV: 2018 T@B 320S, >100 mods 
  • jgram2
    jgram2 Member Posts: 1,522
    @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!
    John, Judi, Guinness & OD in PDX
    T@Bit@t 2015 S Max Outback, ‘18 V6 4Runner 


  • Dalehelman
    Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414
    edited November 2017
    @BrianZ. The wire ties were just temporary just to find the right location.
    Know problem at all with road clearance
    on non clam shell.
    1. Hash  T@B Fun
  • Dalehelman
    Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414
    @Twojgrams picture size is 480X640
    1. Hash  T@B Fun
  • CrossRoads
    CrossRoads Member Posts: 2
    that's exactly what we want to do. Thanks @Dalehelman
    2017 T@B S Max Silver/Red TV 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport
  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,674
    edited November 2017
    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
    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
  • Dalehelman
    Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414
    It is not designed as a bumper just hose storage for about $20
    1. Hash  T@B Fun
  • Ratkity
    Ratkity Member Posts: 3,770
    No no no... The plastic city trash cans that I keep at the corner of the house next to the driveway are bumpers!! :lol:
    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
  • ericnliz
    ericnliz Member Posts: 4,437
    Or so the trash disposal folks seem to think so...... :rofl:
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


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