Weekend Project - (Updated 5/16) Progress pics.

I decided to start building a carrier for my rear receiver this weekend.

Here's the end result:

I just need to pick up a piece of expanded metal for the floor and paint it.

It's roughly 20" x 40" and will end costing about $30 for steel.

Quote from "quadna71"

that's nice looking keith! i really like the gooseneck receiver end on it. my rack that i put on the front of my jeep is just a straight shot out - it really hurt my approach angle when working my way into rausch creek's campsite this design would've made things much easier!!! i'd say that your welding class is paying for itself already...
chris

Yeah, that was a prime concern.

I allowed enough clearance to run a 12.5" spare also.

I also only made it 40" wide so it wouldn't block the taillights.

Here's a couple more shots:

Quote from "BlueJ"

Looks really good! I wonder about the raised level, though. I found it to be quite a bit of a p.i.a. to have to unload the basket and pull the basket out of the receiver, just to open up the tailgate. I'd rather set it up low enough to be able to swing the tailgate out over the basket.

Or maybe for your next project, try a basket that swings out on a hinge to allow the tailgate to open without unloading and removing. I've seen bike carriers like that -- I'd buy one it I had anywhere to bring my bike (I don't cycle much these days!).

It's a trade-off. The times I'll need it, I probably won't be opening the tailgate much anyway.

I thought about making some kind of hinged setup, but it would be pretty involved to support any kind of weight. As it is now, it'll probably hold 1000lbs.

Finished it up yesterday.

Quote from "Falcon"

i think it turned out really good. now to try it out at a paragon camping trip or rausch creek trip!!!

Thanks.

A couple of the guys on JU's fabricators forum suggested I add some detachable legs to it so when I leave to go wheeling it can be a camp table. I may just give it some thought. :smile: