Drawbar modifications

[Rowdman]

Hi folks,

I'm a newbie to this forum and to my Expanda too ! I have a 2010 16.49.2 and intend taking the kids through the red centre later this year.

Anyway, it came with a 9kg gas bottle holder and I'd like to mount another one - somewhere. I'd also like to add a tool box - somewhere.

Any ideas ?

Cheers,
R.

 

[chartrock]

G'day Rowdman and welcome to the forum. You can purchase a gas bottle holder and clamp or weld it to the draw bar beside the existing one but this would take up the space where you might fit a tool box. Can you post up a couple of photos of the van?
Regards
Paul

 

[Moto Moto]

Hi folks,

I'm a newbie to this forum and to my Expanda too ! I have a 2010 16.49.2 and intend taking the kids through the red centre later this year.

Anyway, it came with a 9kg gas bottle holder and I'd like to mount another one - somewhere. I'd also like to add a tool box - somewhere.

Any ideas ?

Cheers,
R.

Hi Rowdman,

I had a similar problem on my Jayco Hawk. I wasn't too keen on welding anything to the drawbar, so decided to use a standard 4.5kg gas bottle holder and some long square u bolts to hold in place. Worked a treat

Might be a simple solution you could try. We just used the smaller bottle to run the weber q. The smaller bottle may fit better under the folder down bed as well (i think the 9kg on the Expanda is offset and lower than most caravans/campers)

KC

 

[expanda]

Nicely done KC looks simple and clean!

 

[Rowdman]

Hey guys, thanks for all the advice !

I've got a bracket getting built that will allow me to hang the gas bottle off the outside of the drawbar (using u-bolts). I hope to have it later this week and all going well I'll load some pics here shortly after.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Rowdman]

Problem solved

Now I'm thinking about replacing the original one too. That way I'll have enough room to install a toolbox above the spare tyre.

If anyone has any ideas on a "quick release" toolbox, please drop me a line.

 

[chartrock]

That looks great, Rowdman. I could use something like that to remove the gas bottles from my boot and free up some more space.

 

[Moto Moto]

Nice work Rowdman, look great! Well done.

 

[Rowdman]

Thanks Moto Moto - We are pretty happy with it too.

Chatrock - I intend getting another one made. If there are a few people that would like some made I guess I could ask for a few more?

 

[chartrock]

Chatrock - I intend getting another one made. If there are a few people that would like some made I guess I could ask for a few more?

Where abouts are you, Mate?

 

[Rowdman]

We are in Melbourne.

 

[chartrock]

Thanks Rowdman. A bit far to ship large items but I should be able to get them made locally if I decide to go down that path.

Paul

 

[cruza driver]

Very impressive mate that would be a good way also to solve a problem with mounting a generator on the drawbar if needed.

 

[Rowdman]

Thanks.

I'm actually trying to leave some room on the drawbar for a toolbox. It will need to be low profile though as it needs to sit under the bed base and above the tyre! (Bloody tyre sits about 20 mm above the drawbar height - silly design !).

Anyway, I'm on the hunt for something like this.

If I can find one, I guess I'll need to build a mounting braket.

Life wasn't meant to be easy.

 

[cruza driver]

Your not wrong about the spare its a bit a catch 22 its a bit low for general offoroad clearance and it does also sit proud of the drawbar.

 

[Matty4]

I've been contemplating having a toolbox fitted to the rear by replacing the rediculous rear bar with a bar made from RHS that will mount to the chassis using existing points
but will extend out a bit more for a box to be bolted to. Just gotta find one that has a top and side opening for access when the rear bed is down.

Also will need to relocate number plate onto box....no biggie!!

 

[Rowdman]

Not a bad idea Matty4, Thanks!.

Unfortunately I have already mounted a pole holder on that rear bar.

 

[Moto Moto]

I've been contemplating having a toolbox fitted to the rear by replacing the rediculous rear bar with a bar made from RHS that will mount to the chassis using existing points
but will extend out a bit more for a box to be bolted to. Just gotta find one that has a top and side opening for access when the rear bed is down.

Also will need to relocate number plate onto box....no biggie!!

I like the way your thinking Matty4!

 

[Rowdman]

Stage 2 : Complete

Two gas bottles loaded and the drawbar is clear.






Now for the toolbox . . . .

 

[cruza driver]

Looks neat mate well done