New bumper for spare wheel

mfexpanda · Sep 2, 2016

We had a stock rectangular gal bumper on our 2005 expander to which I fitted a bike rack , via a plate bolted using u-bolts to it . The rack only ever carried 2 kids bikes but it was one of the lift up and lower down type that way you could lower the rear beds without removing the rack and bikes .
The rack had a slight forward and backward movement due to the pins and way it is made and maybe this caused the bumper to fail .
The welds cracked and the rectangular tubing started to collapse inwards , where the 50mm square tubing is butt welded to the rectangular tubing . Maybe it was just ours or maybe the slight forward and backward movement caused it .
I made a better bumper using thicker gauge Steel and never had a problem again .
I'm not saying the stock bumper won't last but I am saying I would make sure I always check it

Brougham · Sep 2, 2016

i'm looking to replace the standard round tube on our OB with a 50x50 SHS welded one (my dad is a welder).
He wanted to check what thickness most opt for, i want to be able to put bikes and/or a small toolbox on the back for light crap.

i would've thought 50x50x3mm would be okay?

NoWorries · Sep 2, 2016

50x50x3 is probably overkill but it will do the job

Brougham · Sep 2, 2016

I'd rather overkill than it weaken over rough roads and lose it somewhere

mfexpanda · Sep 3, 2016

Brougham said:
i'm looking to replace the standard round tube on our OB with a 50x50 SHS welded one (my dad is a welder).
He wanted to check what thickness most opt for, i want to be able to put bikes and/or a small toolbox on the back for light crap.

i would've thought 50x50x3mm would be okay?

I'd go 75x50 across thr rear and 50x50 for the 2 arms

Lozza T · Sep 12, 2016

The new OB Expanda has a rectangular rear bar. Would this bar be adequate to carry the spare and a bike rack?
See photo of the demo model in the yard. Looks like a 75x50?

dagree · Sep 12, 2016

The rear bumpers are 100 x 50 @Lozza T
I have fitted the spare to ours with no probs but I would be skeptical fitting a bike rack as well due to extra overhang and vibrations caused by the said overhang.

That being said if it was engineered/designed and any relevant mods/strengthening of the bumper mounts done or extras added (This is apparently the weak points I have been told) it may be OK to carry the extra weight of the bikes etc.

Narkle · Sep 14, 2016

MDS69 said:
Welcome @Narkle. As @Dobbie mentioned with that amount of weight on the rear you run the risk of not having enough ball weight and the van could start to sway and an exaggeration would be a massive fishtail sending you out of control. Something to thing about.

Hi Chartrock. Hi have done it now. I have thought of ball weight. I am also making a toolbox for the front for a slide out bbq. Gas bottles and extras to balance it all up. I made the bumper out of 3mm gal. Thanks for your help. Narkle.

chartrock · Sep 14, 2016

Great looking job @Narkle that should help balance the extra stuff you want on the draw bar.

dagree · Sep 14, 2016

Looks the goods @Narkle :encouragement:

Macca_75 · Sep 15, 2016

Lozza T said:
The new OB Expanda has a rectangular rear bar. Would this bar be adequate to carry the spare and a bike rack?
See photo of the demo model in the yard. Looks like a 75x50?

I've had a look as I am waiting my new van to be built - the bar itself is OK however crawl under and have a look at the mounting - very light. I wouldn't put any weight on it.

Xliney · Oct 28, 2020

Narkle said:
Hi Narkle, xliney (rob) new member here. this is fabulous . Might suit my outback journey to help offset a tow ball weight issue. If you have any drawings specs etc to share I would be happy to contribute to your holiday fund a little unsure how the forums work so this might be messy. Cheers Rob n Sue

View attachment 44862 View attachment 44863
Hi Chartrock. Hi have done it now. I have thought of ball weight. I am also making a toolbox for the front for a slide out bbq. Gas bottles and extras to balance it all up. I made the bumper out of 3mm gal. Thanks for your help. Narkle.

chartrock · Oct 28, 2020

G’day @Xliney and welcome to the forum. That post from @Narkle was from 2016 and Narkle has not posted since then. I would be most surprised if you get a respons. But, if you lay out your problem or what you want to achieve, our knowledgeable members will do their best to help. There are no dumb questions on this forum and every problem is treated with respect. I can’t say the same for some members who will go to great lengths to take the Mickey out of each other. :argue:

Macca_75 · Oct 28, 2020

chartrock said:
G’day @Xliney and welcome to the forum. That post from @Narkle was from 2016 and Narkle has not posted since then. I would be most surprised if you get a respons. But, if you lay out your problem or what you want to achieve, our knowledgeable members will do their best to help. There are no dumb questions on this forum and every problem is treated with respect. I can’t say the same for some members who will go to great lengths to take the Mickey out of each other.

Second that @chartrock - @Xliney - firstly welcome.

I would be cautious about mounting a spare wheel on the rear bumper to reduce ball weight. Yes you will get the best "bang for your buck" putting it right back, however it can also add to a "pendulum" effect if things did start going wrong.

Personally, I bought the spare carrier from Jayco as a spare part. I had someone come and weld it underneath, behind the rear wheels. It did reduce the van's ball weight by removing the spare from the A-Frame and rear of wheels slightly, however importantly (for me) it also kept the weight down low and not at the very rear of the van.

Here is a link to how I did it - https://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/macca_75s-20-64-1-ob.9840/post-200483

Any questions just let me know.

Cheers and good luck.

Xliney · Oct 28, 2020

Macca_75 said:
Second that @chartrock - @Xliney - firstly welcome.

I would be cautious about mounting a spare wheel on the rear bumper to reduce ball weight. Yes you will get the best "bang for your buck" putting it right back, however it can also add to a "pendulum" effect if things did start going wrong.

Personally, I bought the spare carrier from Jayco as a spare part. I had someone come and weld it underneath, behind the rear wheels. It did reduce the van's ball weight by removing the spare from the A-Frame and rear of wheels slightly, however importantly (for me) it also kept the weight down low and not at the very rear of the van.

Here is a link to how I did it - https://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/macca_75s-20-64-1-ob.9840/post-200483

Any questions just let me know.

Cheers and good luck.

Thanks. Great info. Agree about ball weight but it came from jayco originally at the rear and was removed to fit in previous owners too short shed. But like the idea of shifting it underslung. Looks like you also have a water tank there

Macca_75 · Oct 28, 2020

Xliney said:
Thanks. Great info. Agree about ball weight but it came from jayco originally at the rear and was removed to fit in previous owners too short shed. But like the idea of shifting it underslung. Looks like you also have a water tank there

Yeap - the front 2 sit forward of the axle and the third behind

Xliney · Oct 31, 2020

Macca_75 said:
Second that @chartrock - @Xliney - firstly welcome.

I would be cautious about mounting a spare wheel on the rear bumper to reduce ball weight. Yes you will get the best "bang for your buck" putting it right back, however it can also add to a "pendulum" effect if things did start going wrong.

Personally, I bought the spare carrier from Jayco as a spare part. I had someone come and weld it underneath, behind the rear wheels. It did reduce the van's ball weight by removing the spare from the A-Frame and rear of wheels slightly, however importantly (for me) it also kept the weight down low and not at the very rear of the van.

Here is a link to how I did it - https://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/macca_75s-20-64-1-ob.9840/post-200483

Any questions just let me know.

Cheers and good luck.

That is some very nice work, would love to have the spare underslung and tank relocated to the rear also but seems too hard for the workshops I have taken the van to here in Qld.

New bumper for spare wheel

mfexpanda

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