Hitch Box

[lopicma]

I watched Bob's video on the SwingAway hitch.  I bought one, and am now sourcing a box to place back there. 

I am looking for ideas - and photos - of van dwellers that have already done this.  The box I am looking at is going to be 49"x11"x11" OR 49"x15"x15".  Has anyone tried this setup on the SwingAway, and can you post photos?

I guess I can cut a box to these dimensions, but I can't really simulate weight.  Any REAL WORLD experience is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark L.
Michigan

 

[regis101]

Bend an eye toward this Trading Post thread.
https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=37582

Grab this, remove the 2" receiver hardware, bolt the platform to your swing-a-way, and your'e all in.

 

[Elbear1]

I have 2 hitch boxes, front and rear. But fixed hitch trays. I have class IV hitches so weight is not a problem. I stand on mine all the time and im 250lbs and the rear has a 2kw generator plus a way loaded up tool box.

P.S. The rear is a 49x15x15 and a sportsman 2kw fits in it. I run generator in the box with a 7" radiator fan and cooling holes. It makes it as or more quiet than a good inverter generator.

 

[Elbear1]

If youre handy with a saw I would build. The aluminum one I have is flimsy. And you can run out of room fast. Build a huge box with cubbies and shelves and organize the hell out of it.

$.02

 

[CityWoman]

The late Doug Begley of Strolling Amok wrote two very detailed blog posts about his StowAway cargo box, which was on a swing-away support.  He always gave such a lot of good info in his reviews, so check them out (links below).

The first post explains mounting the box on the swing-away arm, and the second one reviews the box after using it for almost a year.  Both posts go into great detail about both box and swing-away supporting arm.

The StowAway Cargo Box
Jan. 2016

State of the Intrepid – The Cargo Box
Dec. 2016


.

 

[regis101]

Great read(s). Thanks.
I inquired to the company of that same hitch. Good product it seems.
I had asked if they have a left hand swing. Oh no, she said, then the cargo would swing out into the street. I said, yes but- the majority of your customers are RV'ers. The left side of any rig is generally considered the dead side and what would I hit out in the woods? A tree? ^J^

 

[regis101]

Something like this might be able to be modded or flipped over to swing left but don't know the weight limit.
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Rola/10421.html

 

[CityWoman]

Great read(s).  Thanks.
I inquired to the company of that same hitch.  Good product it seems.  
I had asked if they have a left hand swing.  Oh no, she said, then the cargo would swing out into the street.  I said, yes but- the majority of your customers are RV'ers.  The left side of any rig is generally considered the dead side and what would I hit out in the woods?  A tree?      ^J^

But you said you already bought your hitch and are now looking for info on a box.  I thought Doug gave lots of good info on the cargo box itself as well as the hitch.

Well, anyway, if you Google hitch "cargo box" reviews, you'll find a number of review sites with good comparisons

 

[regis101]

I seem to do a lot of research. It's almost like a hobby. I tend to try to have things multi task.
You have a pretty nice hitch there. If I wanted to ante up at least one viewpoint, you could do something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/MaxxHaul-704...argo+carrier&qid=1566832108&s=gateway&sr=8-38
with obviously not using the receiver tube.
And this,
https://www.amazon.com/MaxxHaul-702...=gateway&sprefix=cargo+carrier,aps,475&sr=8-3

It would serves many uses. It would also solve your 11" tall vs 15" tall cargo needs.

I have found that the aluminum carriers mostly have a prebuilt tray whereas the steel ones come in two pieces that get bolted to the receiver tube. A one piece would work to well for trying to easily bolt it to your Stow-Away hitch. The same company also makes a 60" wide carrier.

Just some thoughts.

 

[lopicma]

Doug's article was great. I have some ideas I can use from that article. THANKS!

Things I need to consider...
1 - Relocating the license plate, which will probably be covered by the 15"x15"x49" box. Remember, I am in a Grand Caravan, not a full size.
2 - Keeping the weight down. The rack holds 250lbs. The box is about 28-35lbs. Adding a try would be more weight.
3 - Keeping it secure. While boondocking, I don't foresee any problems. However, shopping for food in a city or small town, there is always a "yahoo" that wants to mess with things that aren't theirs. This is why I am shying away from a plastic or canvas box and opting for aluminum.

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[regis101]

Cool. Sounds like you have it figured out. Post a pic or two when you get things sorted.
I'm liking the idea of a swing type hitch. My caveat is I'd want a left hand swing. I'll probably end up making something.
I'm curious what you'd be hauling in an 11x11 or 15x15 by 48 box ? Thats why I spoke of the bag type since it can be scrunched down or up to fit whatever.
Would you happen to know the Swing's weight?

 

[B and C]

They make them to swing right so they will open to the shoulder of the road instead of out into traffic if you should need to swing it on the side of the road. That being said, the one at e-tailer looked like it could be flipped but there isn't a good side view to see if the tongue is offset (raised platform). If you have a friend that is a good welder, he could make it swing the other way.

 

[regis101]

I did see one on e-trailer that might be macgyver'ed. Prolly same one you're seeing.

I don't run into much traffic in the woods so a left swing would allow the cargo box to be on the drivers side of the van, or the dead side as I call it. And with a 24" wide tray, the pivot point could be set so that outboard swing is minimal. My van has rear cargo doors so I'd need enough swing to get into the right hand door. I'll build one then start a business that allows user preference.
Sorry to the OP for drifting of topic

 

[B and C]

You just have to remember that side of the road issue. You can plan for the woods but remember Murphy.

 

[regis101]

Ok thanks. I have mad skills.

 

[B and C]

Oops. Thread hijack.

They make some pretty tough plastic truck tool boxes that may do what you want. No enclosure will be 100% thief or vandal proof. Don't keep must have items in there anyway. Not many will be completely waterproof either.

 

[regis101]

* Oops. Thread hijack. * Das ok, I'm sure Mark will chime in.
I was at Lowe's yesterday and saw they had multiple flavors of cargo boxes in the ladder area.
he did stay 11x11 or 15x15. Aint gonna fit much , imo.

 

[bigsallysmom]

I learned to take a tape measure when hunting. I found some of the boxes were not the size stated on the box or literature. Off by a quarter of an inch or so. Then there may be a slight slope to the box or a bolt head that sticks inside just a bit.