Jamboree Rack Design

[SR1355]

After seeing Cris B. inspirational rack design I decided to get off the couch and get to work.

Over the weekend I designed and built a full size mock up for a Jamboree Rack. Rack will be 18X48X4.75 mounted off spare tire mount. Spare tire mount will be relocated outward 1 1/2" and rack was designed to allow 35" tire on spare carrier.

Does anyone know a safe load limit for spare tire carrier. I use it as a step to roof rack right now and it seems pretty stout. My 200# seems to not bother it, I know that with the rack and tire, leverage is going to come into play but still think is should be able to carry a fair amount of weight. I hope to carry two 5 gallon J-Cans and a 58 QT cooler.

I've attached some images from modelling software as well as photochop of rack installed on H3. Plans and cut list are at fabricators for estimate right now.

Any input would be appreciated, I took tailgate apart and looks like connection of spare tire carrier is reinforced.

[evldave]

A few things to think about, I posted some stuff like this on Chris's thread too. I've had my bike mounted to the rear tire mount for more than a year now, so have some experience with this. With 2 bikes and the 33" spare the rear gate will flex slightly at the mounting points even though they are re-inforced. A 58 qt cooler (75 cans) and 2 5 gal jerry cans is about 140# of static weight resting on the mounts. If you do nothing but drive on flat ground I have no doubt this won't be an issue, but I do believe that it will be an issue when off road, hitting bumps, etc.

I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade here, but I actually took off the bike rack mount because of my concern over the flexing of the rear door. Your design looks real solid, and if I can see in the pics, you might even have two side braces that press up against the door? that would help take some of the load off the mounting bolts, but I still think a rear rack w/spare tire will cause problems when going off road.

If you can make the rear rack, why not make up a roof rack and put the spare up there? I did that, and it eliminates a ton of extra weight on the rear door and I'm sure you could load up that rack with all kinds of cool stuff and still have piece of mind!

my 2 cents...

[SR1355]

appreciate your insight and comments. quick question about your bike rack, did it mount after the spare, resulting in a lever action due to the bike being so far out from the gate. Thanks for the quick math on the weight of the cooler and cans, the rack material weights 56.32# give or take a # or two.

[evldave]

Originally Posted by SR1355

appreciate your insight and comments. quick question about your bike rack, did it mount after the spare, resulting in a lever action due to the bike being so far out from the gate. Thanks for the quick math on the weight of the cooler and cans, the rack material weights 56.32# give or take a # or two.

Yes, it mounted to the bolts holding the spare (there's pics somewhere on elcova w/the mount), and it did have lever action on the rear gate. After I moved the spare to the roof and just had the bikes on it, it still flexed but obviously not as much. I'd love to have someone stand on the rear bumper w/the bikes on (2 of them) and see how much the rear gate flexes when going over bumps.

As a note, I have beat up my hummer, and gone over good bumps w/the tire and 1 bike back there and there's no noticeable permanent deflection. When you do get this all done, and put in a cooler and jerry cans, see if you can measure a before/after deflection while fully loaded. I'm extra conservative, but if you prove the rear gate can handle the weight, super!

[SR1355]

60 plus views.... no additional comments....

[Demo]

Well, I wrote a long comment but then decided not to post it. Didn't want to burst your bubble.

So here it is, I think that putting anymore weight on the already overwieght rear door is a bad idea. Unless you don't plan on keeping your H3 long, I predict that your rear door will begin sagging and will require readjustments becoming more and more frequent. I would put my time and effort somewhere else. Additionaly I think it will make access to your roof rack much more difficult. Not to mention the concern you have of pushing the tire out over and inch. Save your money and get a good adventure trailer. My two cents, hope it helps.

[bjc]

So that last pic is a Photoshop? Damn. Nice work.

[SR1355]

Originally Posted by bjc

So that last pic is a Photoshop? Damn. Nice work.

Yeah, I modelled the rack, set-up camara in software close to actual phote angle then finished it in PS.

Couldn't figure out how to add dirt to the chopped rack.... now that would look good... maybe add the J-Cans and cooler for some fun later...

[SR1355]

Rack survived cross country to MOAB ....

Full color and two jerry cans half full... being alittle conservative at first. I full them up all the way for trip back. Tomorrow I strap full cooler on and hit trail.

See thread in Photos...

[SR1355]

Rack is now trail tested on Hell's and Seven Mile. Absolutely no flex in door sheet metal. Ran both trails with cooler full of ice, beer (not for trail), and food. I saw no need to take j-cans on trail, but if I was on longer trail (i.e. it would also be easier) I'd not hestiate to load her up.

[fourfourto]

SR how did you aftermarket trailer hitch hold up on the trails,Is being located under the bumper cause problems with it hanging up ?

I was thinking of having one custom installed in the bumper,It is much cheaper get a bolt on.I dont wheel as hard as you guys so I might get by with a aftermarket but I was worryed about getting hung up.

I noticed your rear plate got customized

[SR1355]

Originally Posted by fourfourto

SR how did you aftermarket trailer hitch hold up on the trails,Is being located under the bumper cause problems with it hanging up ?

I was thinking of having one custom installed in the bumper,It is much cheaper get a bolt on.I dont wheel as hard as you guys so I might get by with a aftermarket but I was worryed about getting hung up.

I noticed your rear plate got customized

I dragged the receiver on a few obstacles but it took the punishment. I also was thinking of one custom built into bumper. I'm going to take a close look when I get home. Looking to get adventure trailer and I want receiver as high as possible.

[fourfourto]

Some local place is giving me a price,He wanted to look at a factory hitch first he's near the dealer.I got to call them back.
It looks like our bumpers would be cuts like the factory hitched bumpers..Behind bumper are square holes on the mounting brackets that are used for the factory hitch.


If he can do it cheap Ill go with the custom hitch,If he comes in high I will get aftermarket type.