Wednesday, December 27, 2006

...the endless search for outside storage...

It's always a battle in these little coaches to find suitable outside storage: full size basement-designed motorhomes have exterior doors that allow for wet, dirty, and awkward items which we all try to keep outside and away from our pristine (?) living spaces...but Toyota motorhomes generally have none or the only mentionable space is occupied by the generator. The Odyssey-built Toyotas actually have the largest exterior cabinets which are built to accommodate an Onan 4.0 (which is relatively rare and desirable) and if you have one without the gen you have a nice exterior space. Some Toyotas are seen with permanent or receiver-based cabinets or tool boxes that are mounted on the rear that unfortunately ruin the clean lines of the coach and turn a Toyota 22 foot rv into a mid-sized 25...and we lose some of our driveability, not to mention parking. Receiver-mounted storage allows you to run around without that thing on the back for a run to the beach or drive to work, and then slide it back on when you go cross country or on vacation where you'll be dragging alot more play-gear. This reminds me of a 1991 Winnebago 6-cylinder I bought maybe 6 years ago that came with the most spectacular rack known to man: a 3-receiver hitch-based custom rack that began at the receiver with a diamond plate platform for bikes or a motorcycle...then dual 2-inch tube ladders on each both side of the rear (not touching the coach) and curved to horizonal on the roof and headed forward all the way to the beginning of the cab-over. Cross-bars framed around the roof-air and rear vent for access and the whole beast mounted with L's that bolted at the outside edges of the roof...in otherwords, the rack never touched the rear or the roof except for the edges (the strongest area) . When I sold the Winnie on E-Bay I got hundreds of emails about that wonderful and unique rack and where to buy one...trust me, this thing was a piece of art and I've often thought about duplicating it...maybe in aluminum instead of steel for weight issues. Add all your brackets for bikes and surfboards and kayaks and you've created a real rig and given up only 18" overall length.

6 Comments:

Blogger Solodadof2 said...

Kirk need help very close to purchasing an 91 winnebago Warrior toyota motorhome. I am looking for information on towing capacity, I am looking to haul our motorcycles, about 1400 lbs. and the trailer. you may contact me norr3mi@aol.com thanks!

8:57 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

It's November 15, 2013. Is this site still alive?

5:37 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I'm selling a 1986 21 ft Sunrader. Renovated after sitting in a field for 14 years. johnmanchester@mris.com 410-299-5300

5:39 AM  
Blogger Cees Hofman said...

Do you have a picture of this dream rack??

9:01 AM  
Blogger Moto-Espresso Coffee said...

4/8/2016

7:34 AM  
Blogger Moto-Espresso Coffee said...

4/8/2016

7:34 AM  

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