Rear Cargo Deck Platform using Tow Hook Holes?

[jwight]

Here's one from a guy in Dayton and one of his friends:

[SmartDigger]

I plan on getting one soon. have the hitch. little bunnies fit under my hitch.....

[awchief]

I found the following company has a bike/snowboard/golfbag rack that uses the tow hook holes, they also offer just the screw in supports for the rack, so if you know a local welder or are handy yourself, a rear cargo deck could be manufactured quite easly (I would even think you could almost do one with PVC for light loads).

I am looking at the golf rack for myself but do not like the idea of having to purchase the bike rack first and then add on the golf rack part (I don't own a bike, I golf).

My major concern is the vertical loading on the tow hook holes, the horizontal loading is at least 1800+ (weight of the car). But if some Yahoo desided to see how the shocks bounced and tossed his 279+lbs of bouncing blubber on the rack what would it do at the bottom of the shock/spring travel?

SmartCar Performance - Home of the original "Smart Car Cold Air Intake"

[Kermit]

I'm in the process of making one similar to jnonny's that fits in the hitch. I've got all the tubular aluminum acquired and there are a few other pieces to get. All my stuff I'm using to build mine is recycled throw away so its taking time to get it together then I need to weld it up. Plus this is on my "to-do" list so it may not be done anytime soon unless I get motivated.

[jsenka]

Originally Posted by awchief

. . . tossed his 279+lbs of bouncing blubber . . .

I know you must be talking about an accessory of some sort.
You couldn't possibly be referring to a large person in that manner . . . could you?

[dingos]

Your shock and spring travel is reduced depending on how much weight you put on it. I have a SKB50w20 Golf case bolted up to the rear of mine, triangulated to the hitch and I still have problem's with it. The tow bolt's work great for a little bit of time. but the vertical forces and the bounce's will rip them out of the support. I have welded mine up twice. It is in the shop as a mater of fact today. Going at 5 am to help finish it up. I'll get some pic's of what we had to do so this won't happen again. I have about 90lbs of weight in the case.

Just keep an eye on the basket, or what ever you put back there. it will start to sag, it almost looks like it need's it's diaper changed!

[jimvw57]

When I had my Smart towed (on a flatbed) the driver wouldn't use the front tow hook bolted to the bumper. He said they tear out easily and has seen it happen when recovering Smarts and other cars. I guess I'd be a little cautious about using them for an extended time with a load onthem, especially a downward load. Seems like it would cause a shearing effect to the mount. I believe it was designed for a pulling force. But that is just an armchair's thoughts.

[dingos]

Once you reweld the tow bolt boss to the reinforcement that ain't gonna be your problem. trust me. The top of the brace is only held in with one bolt and two on the bottom. The upper part of mine broke off in to 6 different piece's. Noth sides. I have a pic on my phone, I forgot to take my camera with me today, when we finished putting it back together. The support itself is your weak link. The threaded part of the tow bolt's need to be reinforced with a stronger weld all the way around it. than you need to reinforce and add a bolt to the upper part of the brace.

It still is not the ideal situation, but if you need to use the tow bolts like I do plan on some good old homemade red-neck engin'ear'n

[kdfcogwheel]

Originally Posted by jnonny

..wound up going with a "bolt-on" option for my rear platform app.. basically went with the Curt trailer hitch and a 20"x36" ATV type Cargo Carrier --got both from etrailer.com for under $300..

I really like the jnonny's idea. But my question is, "How much does the hitch and carrier weigh combined?" In my application for a cabrio, I have roughly 100# to play with as useable cargo weight.

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by kdfcogwheel

I really like the jnonny's idea. But my question is, "How much does the hitch and carrier weigh combined?" In my application for a cabrio, I have roughly 100# to play with as useable cargo weight.

I said the same thing in Post #9 of this thread. jnonny replied in post #10:

"Bum-bling, the platform and receiver mount had a shipping weight of 35lbs, and the trailer hitch 29lbs.. I believe the larger aluminum platforms are around 35lbs as well.."

I had mentioned the possibility of a slightly larger all aluminum platform.