exterior storage

[wgonfan]

I have a bad habit of wanting to mod or change everything I buy.  I have just bought a 1988 coleman popup. It's a 14' box.  I would liek to add some exterior storage. I thought about doing something under the deck.  Does anyone here have any suggestions or plans for adding storage on the outside of the camper?

[tlhdoc]

Some people have added PVC tubes on the bumper for storage.  Others have added "tool boxes" to the tongue of the trailer.  You want to be careful of adding any storage to the back of the PU, any weight on the back takes away from the tongue weight.   Take pictures of any mods that you do so we can all see them.

[flyfisherman]

I'm wondering if you mean those bunk-end hide-away skirts that are attached to the bottom of the slideout bunk end boards?

If so, what I have seen is male snaps being attached to the bunk end boards with the female snaps then being attached to the vinyl material used for the skirt itself. You can buy these vinyl skirts from most dealers, of you can become creative and rig up your own material. I've seen everything from shower curtains to table cloths to vinyl tarps used, and they all did their duty of hiding whatever it was being stored under the bunkends.


Fly

[hoppy]

Before you begin to add modifications for adding storage space, understand the Gross Vehicle and Axel Weight of the camper. Once you have these specifications, weigh the PU in it's present state, so you have the basis before beginning the modification. Back in 1988, PU's had minimal axel weight capacity.

 And as mentioned, additions should be forward of the axel, so they don't affect the tongue weight.

  Hope this helps.

[wgonfan]

Yeah, I understand GVW, Tounge whieght ect.  My plan was to make some small box that would slide in & out from under the trailer to store my water hoses, extension  cords & other stuff that I don't wanna bring into the camper.   Adding a tool box up front is a good idea.

   As with most trailers - I THINK that additions to the rear would be fine, but you would have to move the axel back to it's rear most position to maintian the 10% tounge whieght ratio.  Most trailers I have done mods on have several  diffrent mounting holes for the axels.

[hoppy]

As with most trailers - I THINK that additions to the rear would be fine, but you would have to move the axel back to it's rear most position to maintian the 10% tounge whieght ratio.  Most trailers I have done mods on have several  diffrent mounting holes for the axels.

 I believe this is true with most utility and boat trailers. But with a PU the PU's frame is built around the axel and wheel assembly, and the PU may even have wheel wells built into the side of the PU. The only modification I've seen with the PU axel, is "flipping"  the springs to raise the ground clearance.

[wgonfan]

I believe this is true with most utility and boat trailers. But with a PU the PU's frame is built around the axel and wheel assembly, and the PU may even have wheel wells built into the side of the PU. The only modification I've seen with the PU axel, is "flipping"  the springs to raise the ground clearance.

AHHH.. I see.  well touge storage seens to be the best/safest & easiest was to go.

[brainpause]

Here's one that I mounted to the rear bumper for our turf. Later I also added a plastic hose rack (the kind that are supposed to mount on the side of the house) to the rear PVC pipe. It holds all our hoses, secured with velcro straps. Keeps all the junk out of the camper. The PVC is 6" diameter.

http://larryandhollycrockett.com/PVCrear.jpg

This second one is on the tongue of the camper. It holds an incredible amount of stuff. It has: carpenter's level, folding table, two long campfire forks, two long pie irons, stabilizer bar, and a couple of other things that are escaping me right now. One of the most useful things, especially when arriving, because I don't have to dig for the level.

http://larryandhollycrockett.com/PVCfront.jpg

Larry

[CAPEd CODger]

I mounted a storage box on the rear of the 'COD. Didn't keep anything heavy in there.
The key to adding any extra storage is to try and maintain the proper ratio of front/rear weight. ANd stay under your GVWR.
I did make the mistake of overloading the rear storage box once. Once.

Anyway, paste the link in my signature line, if you'd like to see the photos of the rear box.

Good luck

Bob