tongue box

[WolfWhistle]

I've been concerned about having batteries or generator (or even LP tanks) walk off when I leave them on the tongue unattended or in certain neighborhoods; and have been looking for a tongue box that would do it all and have found nada.... now there are fabricators that for a phenomenal phee can make anything you can dream up in whatever kind of metal you would like. But, I don't want to spend a thousand bucks, either.

I came up with this basic design and sizing... and am going to hit HD tomorrow for wood, etc. At this size, it won't hit in a tight turn and my 2500 doesn't have a problem with the added tongue weight.

Now I really would like to have a metal top or something that will really hold up to the weather; painted plywood will not... even marine playwood gets ugly in a couple of years. I have thought about coating the box inside and out with pickup bed liner or even have Rhino coat it, but again its costly.

Besides the vents (12 x 12)... or? I'm thinking that being able to lift the top a little and still maintain security, would be good.

I also know that if someone really wants to get to it, they can. But, I want the thief to at least make some noise.

If anyone has any ideas, criticisms or suggestions about this box, let me know.

[tjm]

A plywood box would add a bunch of weight imo. Cable lock and a cover when not in use for the generator is what I would do.


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[OldCoot]

Go to a metal fab shop and have it made out of alum.

[arpipeliner]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Go to a metal fab shop and have it made out of alum.

Especially diamond plate. Any boat maker or repair can do it too.


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[Taranwanderer]

+1 on the aluminum. It'll cost more at first, but the weight savings will be worth it. Good luck!

[Play Harder]

WW go to fab shop I'll bet cheaper than you think - with the Honda in there your gonna want more security than a wood box - plus I'd put one of those gorilla chains around it bolted to frame - even a cut off wheel on a portable cut off tool has a hard time cutting though the gorilla chain -( hardened steel)

You know if you go to lowes - they have diamond plate and can cut it to your specs - just need to find someone to weld it --- also I believe if you went to a metal yard - they will cut to size too...


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[WolfWhistle]

I agree completely that aluminum is the way to go and there's a fabricator in the little town north of me. I'll check with them on monday. If you haven't bought metal in a while you will be shocked at the price. I've actually priced buying diamond plate on line and having it shipped here. It takes one 48 x 96 plus one 24 x 96 and one 2 x 48 which comes to over $500 with shipping. I would save $200 if I could pick it up close by.

[Play Harder]

WW I think maybe go 2 aluminum boxes - 1 for propane 46 by 14 and a triangle tung box in front - on Amazon w free shipping looks like it would be under $250 - you might need to move locking mech for back box - might be a cheaper less hassle waY to go

[asquared]

OP - Just remember it is illegal to lock access to the propane tanks. You can lock them in place and they can be behind an unlocked door but you can't lock access to the valves themselves.

[asquared]

Guys let's keep on topic. Several off topic posts have been deleted. Thanks.

[WolfWhistle]

I really hadn't considered that propane valves have to be accessible. Its because of it being on the road. You can lock them at the house both the tank from being picked up and the valves from being tapered with

Playharder's suggesting of me getting two tongue mounted boxes makes more sense that way the LP box can stay unlocked and the generator box and battery box can be locked. It might make more economical sense just to leave the propane tanks as is. I have heard of a tanks being stolen, but that has to be rare. Let see what the minimum needed for the Honda generator and batteries only would require.

[WolfWhistle]

Bought the DeeZee DZ91717 it fits inside tongue A-frame; sitting it on top presented too many obstacles. The lower it sits the better. WDH and propane tank and factory cover are good. The lid does hit the tongue light so slightly.

I am just now contemplating how to mount it securely. Its tight at the front but about 1-1/4" loose at the back each side. The box is a little flimsy so I think it will take more than simply bolting through sides. Especially considering the weight of two batteries.

Probably will take angle iron side to side at both front and rear bottoms, like the waste tanks are mounted.

[Crockett]

those wd hangers should be about 27 or 30 inches back from ball centerline depending on bar. they look a little close to ball imo. batteries gas caustic vapors. gen set needs lots of ventilation. if its a leave in place operation from that box, you want to line it for noise and corrosion. looks good on there...

[WolfWhistle]

Originally Posted by Crockett

those wd hangers should be about 27 or 30 inches back from ball centerline depending on bar. they look a little close to ball imo. batteries gas caustic vapors. gen set needs lots of ventilation. if its a leave in place operation from that box, you want to line it for noise and corrosion. looks good on there...

Thanks C, the hangers are where they've been. I have the Reese Dual-cam and the chain hange vertical down to the cam arm.

Runnning the generator in the box isn't an option; even carrying it there excludes the batteries from being in there. I could mount the batteries in the generator box on a sliding shelf, but not sure yet.

Making an under frame mount for the dump hose opens up the gen box for other purposes, since I carry the hose and pieces there in a plastic box.

Batteries on the bottom of the box with a shelf separating from other items carried towards the top of the box (chocks, cord, hose, protector, etc) is what I'm leaning towards doing.

You are right about providing good ventilation. I've seen some small aluminum vents that pop into a drilled hole... about 1-1/2".

I'm thinking about painting the inside with bed liner "stuff". I've thought about doing that to the outside as well... would look better in black