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04-24-2017, 07:11 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 47
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More Solar and a bumper reciever
Spent the day today putting a 2" receiver on the bumper of the ol mobile palace.
Please note, to any planning on doing this mod, this is intended ONLY for a bumper rack. This is NOT to be used for towing.
Bonus pic of my sweet mobile welding rig
I also built a rack for my solar panels.
This rack on flat ground will hold the panels at 42 degrees off of vertical, which will work nicely at the latitude we are at.
__________________
2000 F350 CCLB DRW, 7.3, 4R100, 4.10 gears.
Tow tune, exhaust, BHAF, wicked wheel.
2008 345BHS
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04-24-2017, 07:27 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Mid-Mi
Posts: 1,492
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Preacher,
Did you only attach (weld) the receiver to the top of the bumper? Did you reinforce the bumper in any way?
Reason I ask is while you didn't state how much weight you will have on the rack, chances are very good that the bumper will eventually fail. Probably where the bumper is attached to the frame, as that is where they usually fail when others have attached the bolt on receiver hitch to the bumper. And that is from either cargo racks or more times than not, bikes on a rack.
Solar rack looks good!!!
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04-24-2017, 07:33 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by need-a-vacation
Preacher,
Did you only attach (weld) the receiver to the top of the bumper? Did you reinforce the bumper in any way?
/snip/
Solar rack looks good!!!
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Thanks!
I did just weld it to the top of the bumper.
I plan to have no more than 300lb including a rack on it, and will likely end up changing it, either through strapping the bumper / frame connection, or changing it entirely, or getting a real hitch.
Good to know though, and I will keep a close eye on the bumpers attachment to the frame.
__________________
2000 F350 CCLB DRW, 7.3, 4R100, 4.10 gears.
Tow tune, exhaust, BHAF, wicked wheel.
2008 345BHS
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04-24-2017, 07:50 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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I do not want to be negative, but the bumper will not handle 300 lbs for very long. Could be an expensive modification.
If you have a frame cross member at the rear of the RV you can attach the receiver to that for added support.
Welcome to SOLAR RVing
Don
My Registry
RVing with SOLAR
My MOD.. with cross member support.. I still need to get it powder coated one of these days.
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04-24-2017, 07:54 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: smithville, ont.
Posts: 2,684
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The hitch on my NorthPoint is welded with a big piece if square tube cross member and brackets to the frame itself. It quite a robust piece. It's rated at 300lbs.
__________________
2016 North Point 341RLTS
520watts of solar. Morningstar MPPT
4 6volt 235ah Surrette batteries
2017 F-350 Platinum CC SRW
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04-24-2017, 08:58 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 47
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Yeah, my bumper isn't what I would call "robust", but then I play with lowbeds.
Worst case I end up cutting the bumper off and fabbing up a new one.
If it starts to fail in any way it will get repaired and changed up.
Also, I appreciate the negativity, I'm human and miss stuff just like anyone.
__________________
2000 F350 CCLB DRW, 7.3, 4R100, 4.10 gears.
Tow tune, exhaust, BHAF, wicked wheel.
2008 345BHS
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04-24-2017, 09:02 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,778
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Great idea, but I too would recommend adding some reinforcements to the bumper.
Might want look at adding something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/4SQUARE-Safet.../dp/B00JASCNEE
Love the solar rack. Wish I knew how to weld.
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04-24-2017, 09:25 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jagiven
Great idea, but I too would recommend adding some reinforcements to the bumper.
Might want look at adding something like this.
Love the solar rack. Wish I knew how to weld.
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Great link! I'll seriously look into this unless I just strap the bumper myself.
In regards to welding, Find yourself a Lincoln or miller 140a unit, something 115V and that handles flux core and GMAW systems (MIG), pick up some books, watch some videos. Spend the time and teach yourself how, its an indispensable skill.
The 140's often go on sale at local tool retailers as well, so its a real cheap way to get in and gives you the ability to weld up to 1/4" material.
Even something dumb like this solar rack, I re purposed a construction sign rack and built some holders on it. Total cost was something like $5 and an hour labor.
__________________
2000 F350 CCLB DRW, 7.3, 4R100, 4.10 gears.
Tow tune, exhaust, BHAF, wicked wheel.
2008 345BHS
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04-25-2017, 05:22 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Mid-Mi
Posts: 1,492
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Preacher,
YW!!!
This is the style bolt on receiver hitch that causes a lot of headaches on a trip from ~100-150lbs of bikes and a rack. I would suggest stay ahead of the issue and reinforce now.
A buddy had his uncle reinforce his tt bumper (after it failed). His uncle used that style bolt on hitch on the under side of the bumper, but tied it in to a cross brace he added that was attached to the frame rails. Prevented the bumper from twisting back and down. Wish I had taken pics, but they sold it about two years ago now.
Welding definitely is an art. I can stick metal together, it the welds themselves look more like an abstract art project than nice and uniform!!! Lol
Safe travels!
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