Put It In The Trunk

As we continue preparation for our upcoming Alaska trip, I decided that some additional storage space would be beneficial. I saw several Casita trailers at the Quartzsite Gathering that were sporting trunks. One in particular looked especially nice, but was more money than I wanted to spend unless the concept proved essential to us.

The simple solution for us was an ATV load rack from Harbor Freight and a 35 gallon Rubbermaid Action Packer from the world's largest operator of RV overnight parking facilities - Walmart. This combination will normally ride in the 2" receiver on the back of the Scamp.

The ATV rack is not as wide as Harbor Freight's other steel rack, and the main beam is lifted for additional ground clearance. Of course, it's not welded true so it always looks like it's sagging to one side, but for $40 ... I would have straightened it but I'm out of acetylene and too cheap to buy more.




I used 4 U-bolts to attach the box through a piece of 1/4" Baltic birch that was glassed on both sides to make it easy to clean.

If needs be, I can also mount the box in the receiver on the front of the Tacoma unless that's in use hauling a stack of boats.

Based on the first short trip, I think this is going to become a permanent addition. It's handy for the contents and in some situations makes a nice extra tabletop in camp.