bumpers and cargo rack add ons

[rescue 98]

surprised to see no bumper on the fr cardinal 3727 i can not even imagine what damage could be done to the back of this unit . So i went to work making a bumper and rack for it . I used 3" box tubing 3' long and made a beam clamp for the I beam 1' long and bolted a 4" box beam on top . i then made a rack 2' wide by 65 3/4 long using 2 1/2 " tubing and 2 1/2 angle . I dont know the weight this will hold but it is well built . i will try to post some pictures and hope to see more of what other people are doing .

[rescue 98]

here is a picture of the frame piece

[DaveandSue]

nice looking rack set up.

[BigJohnD]

You will probably have a few people jump on here soon telling you about the frame warranty. My opinion though, do what works for you. I'll be posting my changes to the rear end of our Silverback in the near future. Stock bumper is fixing to come off of ours, and I'll post what we're doing in a few months when I actually get time to start burning wire. Got the steel, just need the time.

I like what you've done. Ours is a similar concept with receiver tubes. Most will appear stock at a glance. It will be a multi use set up, but mainly for bikes.

[rescue 98]

O ya big john i know its coming i have seen what is said about the frames in other posts . I have worked with frames and steel on other peoples units and i know that generally what is done outside the factory is frowned on . But you are right i need to have this for my generator and the wife's mobility cart . i do not like the standard one tube receiver type rack on the 4 " bumper witch is not strong enough to handle it any way . also the rear of this unit was totally unprotected (fiberglass) so say as they must i'm happy with it .

[OldCoot]

Don't think either of you will have problems as you both have regular structural steel I beams and not the 0.075 thk fabricated I beams like on the lite weights and ultra lite weights. PLUS you both have the expertise to do the fabrication.

[BigJohnD]

rescue 98 has a big jump on me. He's had time to do it. I can't get around to it for all the little crap that keeps happening. More on that in another thread.

[rescue 98]

keep plugging away big john ya might even have to burn the late nite light like i did this took about 8 hours for me to build and i have some of the fabrication tools. and i know it never ends the little stuff that is .love the profile comment the middle of nowhere i'm there too. :-)

[vinmaker]

Could the bumper be integrated into the unit? I agree. Seems a bit strange to fabricate the unit without a bumper.

[rescue 98]

vinmaker the fiberglass back on this unit goes all the way down past the frame . they could have designed the bumper going through the fiberglass like on most motor homes cutting a notch in the fiberglass extending the frame past it and attaching a bumper . My bumper i never drilled or welded any thing on the frame just a really heavy beam clamp style support 3/16 stock one foot long on the frame a little over board structure wise put its not going anywhere .

[rescue 98]

opps the 4" bumper is 11 gauge to fit the sewer hose that does not fit in the 4" tube on the side of coach near the front mounted on the frame length wise another fubar by forest river .