Outdoor kitchen/storage box

[Timwiltshire]

Originally Posted by WDavidG

You can multiply the effective capacity of your scale by using using a cross bar (2x4 or similar) with scale at one end, support block at the other and tongue at measured distance somewhere midway depending on what ratio you need. Resting the bar on short bits of pipe assures that you are approximating point loads for accuracy. Here is a diagram of a typical scheme.

I found something similar online, thanks for the info!

[Rzrbrn]

I did something similar but with an aluminum cargo carrier and a molded plastic box in which I carried about 60 to 70 lbs. So the whole thing weighted about 110 lbs total. I have a hitch from Orbital Machine Works, and it was installed by Little House Customs in TX. I normally drive but one time my wife towed it a short distance while I was messing around the primitive campsite. It was a rough road and I noticed she hit a sort of pothole a bit too fast, as in about 5mph. That darn cargo box whipped up and down like you would not believe. I almost took it off and left it at the campground. Instead we went home and it has been sitting in my barn ever since. No way will I haul anything over about 30 lbs, if that.

I cannot image having that thing whipping up and down as we drive about 10,000 miles, give or take, during our normal camping season. I don't think the trailer frame can handle that sort of action.

Hopefully you will have a better experience that I have.

[stude]

Originally Posted by Timwiltshire

I built a bumper mounted, fibreglass coated storage box/outdoor kitchen for the back of my Bigfoot. The box is 1/2" plywood covered in 3 layers of polyester resin and chopped strand, gelcoat and then marine enamel. The whole thing fits in a hitch cargo carrier that's mounted to the bumper. Now I don't have to haul my BBQ in the box of my truck or inside my trailer. Also fits my generator, firewood and propane firepit nicely, or firewood during burning season.

:just remember on cannot transfer firewood across the border.

[Borrego Dave]

Originally Posted by Rzrbrn

That darn cargo box whipped up and down like you would not believe. I almost took it off and left it at the campground. Instead we went home and it has been sitting in my barn ever since. No way will I haul anything over about 30 lbs, if that.

An anti-rattle hitch lock should take care of that problem.

[Timwiltshire]

Originally Posted by stude

:just remember on cannot transfer firewood across the border.

Not a problem there, I have no intentions on crossing the border, or even leaving the island for that matter, anytime in the foreseeable future.

[Timwiltshire]

For all those who were interested in the weight distribution effects of this box, I found out some info at the local trucking scale this evening.

For one, the box (loaded) weighs more than twice as much as I had estimated. It's a whopping 150KG (330 lbs). Whoa.

What does this do to the overall trailer weight? With the box the trailer weighs in at 1640KG (3600lbs) without it 1490KG (3300lbs) so the trailer alone is pushing it's max axle weight with no water in the tanks and no clothing or food on board without the box. With the box I am slightly over.

Tongue weight was interesting too. With the box I have a tongue weight that ranged by 40KG (88lbs) depending if the weight distribution hitch was connected or not. The weight distribution hitch actually made the trailer weigh more by that margin. With the box my tongue weight is 140kg (308lbs) and without the box it was 220KG (484lbs)

Either way the tongue weight is within the 9-15% threshold, but just barely. With the box I'm at the bottom (9%) and without it I'm at the top (15%). Again, this is with no water in the tanks, which adds another 200lbs just in front of the axle, which would increase the tongue weight marginally. But the axle weight with food, water and gear on board is overloaded by about 500lbs , unless we're accounting for the tongue weight transfer, which would make it damned close to the 3500lb rating.

Either way it was an interesting experiment, and I learned lots about my trailer set up. I'll be beefing up my box supports before we go travelling again. And I'll be loading my gear in the front of the trailer.

[Glenn Baglo]

Congrats for gathering the data. Most would carry on in ignorance.
But, one more question. What is the max tongue weight of your tow vehicle?

[Timwiltshire]

Hi Glenn,

Looks like my max payload is 1510 lbs, with a max towing capacity of 7800lbs. So it's well within those limits.

[neparker]

Originally Posted by WDavidG

You can multiply the effective capacity of your scale by using using a cross bar (2x4 or similar) with scale at one end, support block at the other and tongue at measured distance somewhere midway depending on what ratio you need. Resting the bar on short bits of pipe assures that you are approximating point loads for accuracy. Here is a diagram of a typical scheme.

Nice technique. I assume that the 2x4 needs to be level?

[WDavidG]

Originally Posted by neparker

Nice technique. I assume that the 2x4 needs to be level?

Yes, keep it level for accurate results

[Lee Davis]

What a great job!

[Doctor Harold]

Great looking box, and obviously excellent workmanship.

I found this on ebay (located in California): https://www.ebay.com/itm/Trailer-Tow...t/192874481388

I can make a hydraulic scale on my lathe, otherwise, at that price, I'd order one.

It weighs in KG, so it might be inconvenient for the math challenged here in imperial land.

Harold

[John in Santa Cruz]

hah, i searched for those on ebay a couple weeks ago and only found ebay.au and ebay.ca sites that wouldn't ship to the USA.

ordered!

while the sherwoods are very nice, they are just a little too pricey for my occasional casual use.

[Bigfoot 0995]

Box looks very functional, I've been considering doing something similar, where did you put your spare tire?

[Glenn Baglo]

This is my outdoor kitchen. It doesn't add unnecessary weight of a box. Contents can be stowed where they are best accommodated and for weight distribution.
It's also extremely flexible. I can add or subtract appliances etc. I generally have one butane stove, my BBQ, propane tank and a 5 gal water container as well as pots and pans and a stainless steel "sink". I have the option of a folding aluminum table.

[thrifty bill]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Congrats for gathering the data. Most would carry on in ignorance.
But, one more question. What is the max tongue weight of your tow vehicle?

+10 You can't beat data. Too bad axle weight is too high, as I would otherwise add water into the tank and shoot for 12 to 13% tongue weight. 9% is really marginal.

Once you have gone through the white knuckle experience of trailer sway, you will not want a rematch.