S + B's Starcraft 17.58-3 Outback

[17triton]

I am seriously considering something like your custom build on the front our expanda mate.

Wondering, what was the idea behind what look likes excess plating / bracket along the draw bar, instead of just enough to mount the SHS on? Was it simply for extra strength? And if so do you think (or perhaps Mrs Structural Engineer) it was required in the long run?

I made the bottom plate to share the load along the drawbar rather than putting the stress on one small part of the drawbar. It worked really well and the people who bought our van loved it. It might of been a bit of overkill but it was very sturdy and I like the fact there was no welding to the drawbar to weaken it. (Maybe I learnt something off the Mrs lol)

 

[bloke]

I made the bottom plate to share the load along the drawbar rather than putting the stress on one small part of the drawbar. It worked really well and the people who bought our van loved it. It might of been a bit of overkill but it was very sturdy and I like the fact there was no welding to the drawbar to weaken it. (Maybe I learnt something off the Mrs lol)

Sounds good. I too like the idea of no welding, as everyone warns you off welding onto the bar.

I think I should be right for a similar custom build between our bottles and the van. I may have to make it a bit higher to clear both bottles and also the jerry can in the middle.

Time to get the tape measure out! (tomorrow )

 

[17triton]

Sounds good. I too like the idea of no welding, as everyone warns you off welding onto the bar.

I think I should be right for a similar custom build between our bottles and the van. I may have to make it a bit higher to clear both bottles and also the jerry can in the middle.

Time to get the tape measure out! (tomorrow )

I had the advantage of only one gas bottle so I could clear the bottle by how the first bike was put on. I couldn't go too high with the drop down bed but you will be fine with the Starcraft.

 

[bloke]

I had the advantage of only one gas bottle so I could clear the bottle by how the first bike was put on. I couldn't go too high with the drop down bed but you will be fine with the Starcraft.

As long as it is solid, and lower the roof line (dropped obviously), that is the main restrictions for me at this stage.

 

[bloke]

@17triton what size SHS for the cross frame did you use on the old expanda bike mount? 40x40x2? Something similar?

Also, what size flat plate did you use along the draw bar? Looks about 100x8mm?

 

[achjimmy]

@17triton what size SHS for the cross frame did you use on the old expanda bike mount? 40x40x2? Something similar?

Also, what size flat plate did you use along the draw bar? Looks about 100x8mm?

Bloke not answering for @17triton but you will most commonly find 40x40 is 1.6 and 100 flat bar either 5 or 6 mm

 

[bloke]

thanks @achjimmy !

 

[bloke]

So the last couple days have been busy, smashing out the bike rack plan. Really wanted to get it done ASAP so that we can take the bikes on the first trip next week. So I bought a pacific bike rack (30% off at Anaconda) yesterday, then dropped into the local steel place and got the following items:

100mm x 10mm flat steel (for on top of drawbar)
40mm x 8mm (for underside of drawbar)
16 x 1/2 inch long bolts to clamp the above flat steel around the draw bat (32 washer to suit)
50mm x 50mm x 2.5mm square tube for the hurdle between the drawbar a-frame

A quick drive home, collect the van and around to a mates place who has more space and more gear!

Guided by @17triton 's pics from his previous van mod, we got stuck into it. Some photos below do the talking.

It is all mounted and finished now. The largest bike still sits lower than the van roof line which is great. The metal work is extremely strong, with the only minor flex being in the bike rack its self. The bike rack has a strap attached to the back of it, with the idea that this be attached to the rear of your vehicle (when mounted on a tow bar) to provide extra support. I think it will be more than fine without it, but may look at attaching the strap somehow...

You will see that there is a cut out for the drawbar tap. I was initially going to relocate it forward on the bar, however decided to leave it as it is protected from the gas bottle holder base. Not a bad spot where it is.

The only thing left is to give it all a good paint job.

 

[17triton]

Well done @bloke looks awesome. Sorry I missed your post on sizes. Mine was the same with the only movement was in the bike rack itself where the tubes drop into the base plate.

 

[bloke]

Well done @bloke looks awesome. Sorry I missed your post on sizes. Mine was the same with the only movement was in the bike rack itself where the tubes drop into the base plate.

Cheers mate, no problem about sizes.

Did you end up fixing the support strap to the van at all?

 

[davemc]

Looks great at least you see it gone through the rear window
I was lucky saw the bikes almost gone with rear view camera with our rack on back of Starcraft.
One more bump they would of been road trash

 

[WHHEMI]

Looks great at least you see it gone through the rear window
I was lucky saw the bikes almost gone with rear view camera with our rack on back of Starcraft.
One more bump they would of been road trash

What type of rack and what was the problem.

 

[davemc]

What type of rack and what was the problem.

Standard Fiamini was put on at interstate dealer not factory who just Tek screwed it into fibreglass ;(
Our local dealer put the bolts through wall and fixed it. Almost lost them
Here is link
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/bike-rack-almost-fell-off.8293/

 

[bloke]

Yeah that's part of the reason I went with a front mount design. Didn't like the idea of them hanging off the back.

Sounds like if the rear rack is mounted right, should be fine though.

 

[WHHEMI]

Yeah that's part of the reason I went with a front mount design. Didn't like the idea of them hanging off the back.

Sounds like if the rear rack is mounted right, should be fine though.

I have one on our Journey and have never had a problem with it, I have had friends that are following us tell me it and the bikes don't move.

 

[davemc]

bit unlucky but now I am paranoid with bikes in the back

 

[achjimmy]

Awesome @bloke but is that 10mm plate????

 

[bloke]

yep 10mm plate on top of the draw bar, and 8mm pieces underneath for the clamping... you made me just go outside and double check! whys that?

 

[17triton]

Cheers mate, no problem about sizes.

Did you end up fixing the support strap to the van at all?

No didn't need it mate.

 

[bloke]

We are finally heading off on the first trip in the new van. Weather is looking crap to say the least! 5 night shake down.

Never mind, will be a good test for leaks.:bathbaby: