Pole carriers - where to mount them

[Marv_mart]

I have a question that some of you more experienced Panda owners might be able to answer.
I am thinking of mounting a pole carrier under the rear bumper or under the van.
It is an OB so have plenty of clearance.
I am also aware of weight distribution issues
Have already modified the front with a basket and JC holders and moved the spare to the rear bumper.
Pole carrier (150mm) will not fit across the front.
Any suggestions?

 

[Wayne2410]

Hey Marv_mart,

Just bought a 150mm x 2200mm pole kit (including locking lid & all fittings) from Crusader Caravans on the Central Coast NSW for about the cost it would have been to make it myself.

We have a 17.56.1 OB & I had a pole carrier on the rear bumper bar but had to move it because we just attached a bike rack. Like you, I couldn't & didn't want to put more weight on the draw bar, so I found a spot right behind the rear water tank where the thing can sit nicely underneath.

Had to make one small modification to the bracket supplied/holding the pole carrier; bend the ends at 90 degrees so that it can be turned & now shaped like a "U" and fits/cups over the main chassis on either end. Simply drill a hole & attach with Glav bolts and "hey presto" - very easy.

Will have it finished tomorrow ready for Easter, if I don't get a chance before, I'll try to remember to post photos for you after.

Good luck.

 

[Marv_mart]

Looking forward to the photo. Thinking of doing the same.
Thanks
Hank

 

[17triton]

I put mine in the boot for the AFK only 1600 long so i dont loose them in there.

 

[Wayne2410]

Marv_mart,

Managed to put the pole carrier on this afternoon; photos attached.

Very easy to do and as you can see it fits very nicely behind the rear tank.

You can also see in the photos what I meant when I said the only thing I had to do was bend the bracket to fit as they are suited to putting on draw bar and not underneath.

I find that 150mm comfortably fits the anti flap bars & fishing rods giving me so much more space in the front boot.

Good luck & if you have any Q's just let me know.

 

[Marv_mart]

Only one question Wayne, how did you bend the bracket? It looks like you heated it?
Hank

 

[Pace]

http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/14-44-4-ob-annex-pole-storage.3622/#post-50645

Here's a link with some info @Marv_mart

 

[hamish22]

Hi @Marv_mart Just some food for thought, I rear mounted mine to help fight the rather heavy towball weight I have! cheers

 

[Wayne2410]

Only one question Wayne, how did you bend the bracket? It looks like you heated it?
Hank

Just got a mate to hit it with an oxy and bend it up. Any metal fabrication place should be able to do it for you for minimal cost?

Cost me a six pack!

 

[Coastrunner]

I attached a pole carrier behind the wheel onto the chassis of the van. I didn't need to heat and bend the bracket at all.

I just bought a couple of 90degree angles from Bunnings for a couple of bucks each. I then drilled two holes on the outer chassis and bolted it all together. I think behind the wheel is the perfect spot. This way you can still access it when the annexe or awning is up. A great spot to store fishing rods too.

I`ll have a look for a few more pics and put them up when I find them.

See my pic below.

 

[Coastrunner]

It's a 1600mm plumbers pipe, sealed at both ends. One end has a glued on cap, the other has a screw on thread and cap attached.

I also purchased 2 x 150mm holding brackets, 2 x 90degree Steel angles, bolts and nylock nuts with washers.

 

[Coastrunner]

View of how I attached it to the van above. I couldn't put it on the front A Frame as my bike rack is there and it would be an obstruction getting the bikes on and off. I also considered putting it behind the van, sitting on the rear bumper but thought that would obstruct the rego plate. Putting it under the rear bumper would reduce clearance. So I decided on the spot underneath, immediately behind the wheel to maintain good clearance. Any further back would reduce my clearance and I didn't want that. Having it there also enables me to remove poles, rods while being under the shade of the awning/ annexe.

 

[Coastrunner]

If you have a look at my last pic you'll notice that if you drew a straight line from the bottom of the wheel to the lowest point of the rear number, the pole carrier still sits above that line which means I haven't lost any clearance. You can use a string line to check it. Just another tip I think we should check for.

 

[chartrock]

Here's mine mounted under my OB. The mounting bracket is just the 'U' type bracket from Bunnings screwed up into the chassis.

 

[Marv_mart]

All great ideas. When I get my Panda out next week I will check to see which version I will use.
Is the 150mm plumbers pipe rigid enough, uv treated?
Is the one you get from caravan suppliers stronger? I have a feeling it is.
Any reason I can't bolt the bracket on the under side of the chassis rather than through the side of the beam?
Thanks for posting your mods.
Hank

 

[D4Dazz]

Are you planning on venturing off the blacktop? If so I would avoid mounting a pole carrier under the van...prone to rock damage.

Just a thought.....

 

[Marv_mart]

Not big fans of going on really rough roads. Stay mainly on the black stuff with the occasional dirt track to get to a significant site. Would prefer to leave van and just 4WD than take van off the blacktop. Have done the Gibb river track for about 80km but not at speed. Took river crossings v carefully after checking clearance. Thanks for advice, will possibly look at protection for tube?

 

[MastoCamper]

Hi,

Here was my solution to, what to do with all the tent poles and the mess in the front boot???

Add a false floor to the front boot;

First step move the jack (to front of boot and closer to the hatch) and mount clips for the winder and brace;
also trimmed down the jack clamping plate so it is closer to the side wall;
,
Next, cut material to size and pre assemble;
, disassemble and install,
:minion_please:
Topped off with a bit of thin carpet and double sided tape, which also doubles as the hinge for the easy access flap at the opening.

This has saved me from mounting two 150mm pole tubes (for which I have no room without major A frame or bumper change) to cater for the poles for the Annex, Veranda and wind break poles. At about half the weight of one 150mm pole tube and a total cost of $63, also cheaper.

The 80mm lost from the bottom of the boot was negligible, as that was the available wasted space on top of all the stuff piled in there anyway.

Cheers,

 

[Paul75]

I've done similar to Masto, just didn't make it full width or length, just big enough to fit curved roof rafters, anti flap poles, annex poles, pegs and ropes. I think I stole the idea from Masto.

 

[Marv_mart]

Front box on the 14.44-5 is not very large so this is not really an option.