Creating Storage

[Olive600]

My B Touring Cruiser has no outside storage to speak of. The one small space now has hoses in it. So, I'm wondering about putting a rack on the back and somehow securing stuff back there while I travel. Will it work to put folding chairs, a folding table, a chest or trunk of some kind? Any better suggestions?

Thanks. Nikki

[mitch5252]

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Could something like this work?

http://blog.stowaway2.com/page/3/
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[BirdbyBird]

Do check where your exhaust pipe comes out.... If it is the back of the rig there is the possibility of melting bxes or whatever you put back there....

[Olive600]

Thanks, Mitch. These are a good place to start. They're a little pricey for me. At least I think so right now. I need think about what I plan to put on the rack and whether a tarp and bungee cords provide enough protection from the road and weather. What do you think? I know I'd want to store a couple folding chairs, a small folding table and maybe a small grill. I swore I wouldn't tow a car, but I keep thinking about looking into that. A car would give me all the storage I need. Why did I ever think this would be simple? The fantasy keeps evolving and I've hardly been out of my driveway. The only time I've spent in Betsy was the 3 day GTG with Karen at Black Rock. Still, I fantasize about hitting the road and never ever coming back to the stick. I really should slow down.

Tina, you posted while I was typing this message. Yes, I remember you mentioning that. I think the previous owner had that problem. He changed the angle of the exhaust pipe so that it turns to the side. I think...I'll check. Thanks for the reminder.

Nikki

[mtngal]

Hi Nikki, many of the Roadtrek people use the type of swing away carrier in Mitch's link. It's because we have doors on the back that need to open. IF your rig doesn't have a door on the back, you will find simple and less expensive storage units are available that sit on a frame work from the trailer hitch. Good luck!

[BirdbyBird]

When I went to Alaska I used one of those @ $50 racks that attached right to the hitch. I had found a large Rubbermaid type container that filled the rack and I ended up wrapping a second kayak in a gray tarp and stcking it on top using multiple bungy cords to hold it all together. If you start looking at the back of cars and RV's you will see a variety of methods. Some are much prettier than others. How easy it is to access what is being carried would be a an important issue to consider what you are using.... (How many cords do you want to unfasten?

[Acadianmom]

So far I have resisted getting a rack or an outside carrier. We just walk on what we are bring until we get where we are going. I bungee cord a couple of baskets to the sofa back to keep them from falling to the floor and put lite things in them. At night things move to the front seats and to the back for travel. I am thinking about getting a 3 wheel bike so would have to get something to carry it.

Glad Tina mentioned the exhaust pipes, I never thought about them.

Martha

[Olive600]

I'll travel a bit before I decide. Until I do, I don't know what I need. I like the idea of just moving things around inside and securing them while I'm traveling. I have a whole new appreciation for bungee cords.

[BirdbyBird]

On such a short rig, the rack is easy to move around with.