There are many times I want to take my Portabote (folding 12'9" boat) with us camping, but I did not want to put on a side carrier on the 5th wheel unit, or try to rig something on top of the truck cab.
I had my son-in-law build me an aluminum carrier - basically a metal box 13' long, 6" high, and about 2' wide. We bolted this under the 5th wheel so that the access opening for the boat was in the front. The rear end of the box is about 2 feet in front of the front axle. We drilled some holes in the bottom of the box so that moisture could drain out.
The porta-bote fits great. The box added about 60 pounds, but the weight is kept low this way. Since it is only 6" high, it is still plenty high for clearance. The only thing is we have to be unhooked from the truck, but that hasn't been a problem so far. Also, if I had to get to the RV underbelly, I only have to remove a dozen nuts.
I would think someone could build a similar box out of galvinized material as well??
[IMGPLEASE REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE PICTURE TO COMPLY WITH MOC PICTURE SIZE POLICY, THANK YOU. RVWHEELS http://i7.tinypic.com/24who3m.jpg[/IMG]
[IMGPLEASE REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE PICTURE TO COMPLY WITH MOC PICTURE SIZE POLICY, THANK YOU. RVWHEELS http://i8.tinypic.com/24whuky.jpg[/IMG]
[IMGPLEASE REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE PICTURE TO COMPLY WITH MOC PICTURE SIZE POLICY, THANK YOU. RVWHEELS http://i8.tinypic.com/24whwut.jpg[/IMG]
... Semper Paratus ....
Matt, Amy, & Chocolate Labs Sasha & Webby
- 2004 3255RL Montana, 2005 F-350 CC 4X4 PSD
- Advance truck bed folding cover
Washington state.