wileecoyote
Tennessee, USA
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Joined: 09/02/2008
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I searched the forums for quite a while and was surprised not to find anything on this topic. Maybe the advanced search function isn't working too well right now. So here goes...
Our new 2008 Puma 26RLSS TT sits up higher than most other TT that we looked at. It has 15" wheels and the hitch ball coupler sits at 23" when the frame is level. This is very nice because I can slide under the entire thing with ease on my creeper and still have room to raise my knees, handle tools, look around, etc. No jacks or jack stands required for maintenance unless you want to change a tire.
While sliding around under there I noticed quite a lot of empty space immediately below the coated underbelly and between the heavy steel frame rails on either side. This space is occupied by fresh, gray, and black tanks near the axles but it is mostly wide open space everywhere else. So I am wondering if it would be safe to mount some outdoor accessories under there for storage while towing. Things such as my folding aluminum ladder, a plastic drain tank shuttle, some outdoor folding chairs or tables, maybe even the spare tire.
I know they would have to be securely mounted so they wouldn't be at risk of dropping down or blowing loose while on the road but this would be easy enough to secure with cross bars, chains, metal hooks, ratchet straps, etc. Has anyone else done this or seen it done? If not, is there some special reason why it should be avoided?
I assume it would be safe if I kept everything up inside the frame rails where it wouldn't change the ground clearance any, and be careful to load the weight in the right locations, and minimize any wind drag.
Thoughts?
One semi-related topic: my owners manual says to use a hydraulic jack when changing the trailer tire but I haven't seen any jack included with the trailer. Do they assume that your vehicle jack will always work, or that you will buy your own jack and take it with you? Or do most TT have a jack hidden away that I haven't found yet?
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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TT's do not come with a jack OR a lug wrench. Many don't even have a spare tire, usually its an option. If yours is a dual axle, get some leveler blocks. Build a ramp for the non flat tire, and just pull up on ramp. Works for me.
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canoe on top
Denver, CO, US
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I used to put the sami tote up in the frame on my MH. Never had any problems and it was out of the way. I'd get a jack for changing a tire.
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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I'm with Chuck on this one. A few years ago I was having blow out every time we camping, that was about every other week. it gets so hot around here that the floor jack and the bottle jack just sank into the pavement. So I got out a block of wood I used for the tongue jack and drove up on it. worked great so now I always carry a block of wood for that reason.
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DutchmenSport
Indiana
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Joined: 10/10/2006
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The space under the trailer is very usable. One item that a lot of folks (me included) do is attach PVC tubing of some sort to make extra holders for sewer hoses. Perhaps the reason more do not utilize this space is because it does require crawling under the trailer to get to item, and then lifting it back in place, which might be a real challenge if it has any weight at all. The PVC tubing is very common and a lot of people add them for carrying all sorts of items. Access is usually on the outside edge of the trailer so you don't have to crawl under.
Flat tires? I'm fortunate, I've never had one on any RV we've owned. But if it ever does happen, lifting the flat tire with the good tire on the tandem is the way I'd do it (a ramp for the good tire).
DutchmenSport
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Keep in mind that anything stored under there is subject to getting very wet and dirty.
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Fizz
Ottawa, Canada
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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fla-gypsy wrote:Keep in mind that anything stored under there is subject to getting very wet and dirty.
Yes this would be my main concern also. On a long wet drive you get an oily grity spray over everything that's exposed. Thinking about chairs and anything with fabric.
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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You can take advantage of the underneath storage. I kept my 14' Porta Bote beneath my trailer all season. Many keep their blue totes underneath as well.
The big negative to storing underneath is that getting underneath the RV can be a pain in the..... May not be too bad to bad crawling underneath at home where there is a pad. But once you get to your site, getting underneath can be challenging.
Depending on how level the site is the clearance beneath the trailer changes. Sometimes there is very little room to move around. Ground maybe rocky or muddy,
or just plain wet.
Storing things underneath is very doable, but physically getting underneath the trailer particularly at the campsite has its drawbacks. I don't recommend storing basic items like chairs underneath. But occasionally used items like blue totes or easy-ups.
After storing my Portabote beneath the trailer all summer, I have personally experienced the pros and cons of crawling underneath the trailers at various campsites. For myself the pros outweigh the cons for a large item like a 14' bote. But for smaller items getting beneath the trailer maybe too much trouble.
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wileecoyote
Tennessee, USA
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When inspecting under my TT I didn't notice much if any dirt, grit, oil, or spray on the frame rails, underbelly, wiring, etc. There were a few small mud splatters on the outside of the frame rails behind the rear axle but even those were small. It has been towed several thousand miles and was exposed to rain on many occassions so I am not expecting the underbelly to get that dirty, especially when I keep the storage items up inside the frame rails.
I wouldn't put anything under there which is not reasonably weatherproof, and I have seen that getting access from below is still pretty easy at the CG so I am not concerned. Our TT has 3 steps and is higher than most so this makes a lot of difference.
I like the tip on the PVC tubes and I might even rig an enclosed storage container of sorts.
Makes sense to use the leveling blocks in lieu of a jack to change spare tires. I will plan on that unless in a location where the blocks wouldn't be safe.
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shadow1148
Orlando Fl
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Joined: 01/17/2008
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pvc tubeing is where I keep a few fishing poles under the TT.
2007 ford f150 4.6 with tow package 2007 dutchmen 18ft. zoom.new Yamaha 2400 gen. Nam Vet 67 68 69
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