Undercarriage Storage

[SoManyRoads13]

Hey All,

Quick question:
I have a 1990 KIT Road Ranger Espre that I have been updating. I am wondering if y'all think it's advisable to attach a ceiling storage rack that one would find in someone's garage underneath my trailer. There's a solid amount of ground clearance and the storage rack that I'm looking at only has only 12" of drop. I'm more concerned with the lag screws going into the underbelly of the trailer and whether the underside would be able to support the 80lbs rack and whatever I throw onto of it. The undercarriage is covered in a weather resistant plastic and I believe that there is plywood above that.

I'm interested to see the replies here.

Thanks.

[msmith1_wa]

afidel wrote:

JRscooby wrote:

TenOC wrote:

gbopp wrote:

Make sure it's fastened securely to the frame.
It sounds like a good idea if it's done right.

I would use real bolts and nylock nuts with holes drilled in the flange of the I-beam. If you have a channel beam place a metal strap (home made U bolt) over the channel.

I have lost a stinky hose holder and hose when self-taping screws came out on a bumpy road.

If you drill into a I-beam, do not drill the flange.

What nonsense is this? A few holes isn't going to weaken an I beam, especially once filled with a bolt. Connecting through the flange is a standard part of steel beam construction.

With all the holes the manufacturers put in the flange a couple more won't hurt.

[afidel]

JRscooby wrote:

TenOC wrote:

gbopp wrote:

Make sure it's fastened securely to the frame.
It sounds like a good idea if it's done right.

I would use real bolts and nylock nuts with holes drilled in the flange of the I-beam. If you have a channel beam place a metal strap (home made U bolt) over the channel.

I have lost a stinky hose holder and hose when self-taping screws came out on a bumpy road.

If you drill into a I-beam, do not drill the flange.

What nonsense is this? A few holes isn't going to weaken an I beam, especially once filled with a bolt. Connecting through the flange is a standard part of steel beam construction.

[JRscooby]

TenOC wrote:

gbopp wrote:

Make sure it's fastened securely to the frame.
It sounds like a good idea if it's done right.

I would use real bolts and nylock nuts with holes drilled in the flange of the I-beam. If you have a channel beam place a metal strap (home made U bolt) over the channel.

I have lost a stinky hose holder and hose when self-taping screws came out on a bumpy road.

If you drill into a I-beam, do not drill the flange.

[slider45]

BarneyS wrote:
Have you seen these Lippert underchassis storage systems?

Might be worth a look instead of re-inventing the wheel. :W
Barney

That one is a great option! Nice

[harmonmonic]

BarneyS wrote:
Have you seen these ***Link Removed***

Might be worth a look instead of re-inventing the wheel. :W
Barney

Thanks, nice store. Exactly what i need

[SoManyRoads13]

I have. I could get much more storage for less than half the cost.

[BarneyS]

Have you seen these Lippert underchassis storage systems?

Might be worth a look instead of re-inventing the wheel. :W
Barney

[SoManyRoads13]

Right. Fastening to the frame sounds much better. I'll have to take some measurements to make sure that the proportions/dimensions work. Thanks for the hardware recommendations, TenOC.
profdan139: They are not closed shelves. I'm still figuring that out, maybe some thick vinyl? I would keep my little giant ladder down there and Rubbermaid bins of whatever else. I would use rachet staps for the bins and u bolt bike locks to secure the ladder in place.

[TenOC]

gbopp wrote:

Make sure it's fastened securely to the frame.
It sounds like a good idea if it's done right.

I would use real bolts and nylock nuts with holes drilled in the flange of the I-beam. If you have a channel beam place a metal strap (home made U bolt) over the channel.

I have lost a stinky hose holder and hose when self-taping screws came out on a bumpy road.

[gbopp]

The 80 lb. rack and whatever will greatly increase in weight when you go bouncing down the road.
Make sure it's fastened securely to the frame.
It sounds like a good idea if it's done right.

[profdant139]

Instead of lag screws, maybe use self tapping screws that go into the metal chassis, rather than into the plywood underbelly?

Are these closed shelves? What are you planning to put on the shelves, and how are you going to keep the stuff clean, dry, and in place?

This sounds like a worthwhile project -- please post photos when it's done!

[jdc1]

Attached to the frame? Why not?