10.0 Mods/Upgrades as I do them

[admin]

@whoofit I agree, and thats part of what worries me. I know enough to know even a small amount of weight on the end of a lever bouncing around can equal huge amounts of torque. The problem is I don't know how best to go around calculating the safe limit(s).

The flooring is great, but I have noticed a few issues.
1. Be sure to leave room for expansion. I thought I had but apparently this stuff swells more than I figured. So in the summer I'll get a few spots that bubble up a little bit. Nothing major, but its an annoyance to me.
2. Be prepared to have a small vacuum for cleaning up any dirt, otherwise it finds its way into every nook and crack.
3. Items dont slide on this foam, so if we throw any last min items in the rig while its packed its difficult to push them around sometimes.

All of those are minor issues that I am happy to deal with considering the benefits we gain.

[whoofit]

I don't know how to calculate this either. Another concern of mine is work hardening of the aluminum from twisting and flexing. I think tearing may be the result given enough time and cycles. If only LL left more space between the bumper and trailer there would be more options. I think what you have done looks great.

I understand LL offers a carrier as an option but have yet to see one. Even the dealer didn't really know what it is.

We spent the weekend in our trailer again and still wish to do something with the floor.

[husaberger]

Thought I would post a mod here, that my wife made.

its a small/ - well a large pocket type of holder

it will hold her laptop 13 inch macbook, a kindle, her phone, books etc:
mine will hold my 15 inch macbook, my stuff,etc  we have one on each side,  we don't sleep together, as we have 3 kids, and during camping the kids LOVE to sleep with us, so we rotate, one in the middle bed with the dog, then so on..


[a href="https://flic.kr/p/rtWTHY"]

[admin]

Thats slick. I generally just overload the nearest flat surface but this is a much better solution. I might have to point this out to my wife...she is the crafty one afterall

[2moonunit]

[quote timestamp="1425393300" author="@admin" source="/post/7391/thread"]Finally got around to adding a "rear deck" to the QS. The actual project consisted of adding a reinforcing piece of 2x4 tubing to the existing bumper. Unfortunately nobody locally keeps this material in stock, and they all said if they ordered it, they would have to order a 20' section. So I turned to my trusty friend, Amazon. I found a 60" 2x4 piece of 1/8" thick aluminum ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H9L68Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ). I also ordered a bolt on 2" receiver designed for clamping around a 4x4 bumper ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00174ZHGU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ). Lastly I sourced a 60" wide rack designed to fit the 2" receiver ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049J3SK2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ).

Now for assembly...The frame rails were 2x3 tubes and the distance between them came out to be 58.5". So I had the new 2x4 tube notched out by about 3/4" on each end and then welded into place so the tops were flush with each other. The idea was for the slight boost in strength from having the new tube actually extend under the frame rails. I had a local shop complete the welding which turned out alright. Personally I think the welds are functional but I would have expected a pro to have nicer looking welds. After the new tube was installed it was a simple matter of clamping the new receiver hitch to the top.

I like this setup mainly because now I'm not limited to a rear deck. I can add any accessory that fits into a 2" receiver; such as a bike rack.

I posted a few pictures here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/52403555@N05/sets/72157648811621184/
The rack fits a bit loosely so its a bit crooked in the picture, but the receiver has a built in bolt to tighten it up.
The rack is rated at 500lbs. The receiver isn't technically rated since its marketed as an accessory attachment point, but I figure if its rated for a fully loaded bike rack it should safely hold a couple hundred pounds. Honestly the single point I'm most worried about is how the bumper and frame will handle an additional load hanging off the rear.

Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I know torque loads bouncing at the rear of the camper with even 200 pounds have to be significant. A small generator and gas can will be about 100 pounds. Then add other odds and ends and I think 200 pounds would be the high end of what I would want back there.

Either way, it looks like the Table Rock trip will be its first time out for a test run

-Sean
[/quote]

[2moonunit]

HMM was trying to quote above text, my question is what does camplite make their frames from?  I can locally get 6061 and 6063 aluminum.

Doug

[admin]

The 6063 is what I used as my reinforcing piece but I dont know for sure what LL uses as their base stock. So far the two pieces seems to have bonded well and I see no problems around the welds so I would think its safe to say if its not 6063, it has to be close.

-Sean

[charliem]

[font size="3"]OK, welding guys,

I've always been partial to 6061T6 for high strength projects. As I understand it 6063 is a softer, more machinable, and brighter finished formulation. Also the commonly available T5 temper would not be as stiff. But my question is: are they compatible from a welding standpoint? Do they have different melting or puddling characteristics? Or is this even a valid consideration for welding?
[/font]

[johncells]

Sean, I've read your your blog entry as well. Really appreciate the graphics. I brought them to a welder who is going to install an aluminum 2x4 tube as you instructed. I have a Camplite 11FK. Seems to be the same or similar frame as your QS10. At least the bumper dimensions are equal. How has your mod held up since its installation? Thanks! John Ellsworth

[admin]

Sean, I've read your your blog entry as well. Really appreciate the graphics. I brought them to a welder who is going to install an aluminum 2x4 tube as you instructed. I have a Camplite 11FK. Seems to be the same or similar frame as your QS10. At least the bumper dimensions are equal. How has your mod held up since its installation? Thanks! John Ellsworth

Hey, so far the mod has been working exactly as planned. I have used it with maybe 150 pounds over the last several thousand miles. I'm still cautious of it and inspect it at every stop but so far I have seen no broken welds or bent frame rails. I'm now confident in saying that this mod is the safest option if you want to do this type of mod.

I'm glad to hear the blog and diagrams have helped. I hope you find it as helpful as I have in the long run: )

[dwellsouth]

Thought I would post a mod here, that my wife made.

its a small/ - well a large pocket type of holder

it will hold her laptop 13 inch macbook, a kindle, her phone, books etc:
mine will hold my 15 inch macbook, my stuff,etc  we have one on each side,  we don't sleep together, as we have 3 kids, and during camping the kids LOVE to sleep with us, so we rotate, one in the middle bed with the dog, then so on..


[a href="https://flic.kr/p/rtWTHY"]