Adding Rear Cargo Box and Spare Tire to a Pleasure-Way Plateau

[Valerie_617]

We’ve run out of room in our Pleasure-Way Plateau TW. I am looking at adding a spare and a cargo box to the back door hinges. Got a quote from La Mesa RV.

It’s not cheap - about $8,800. Plus, it will add about 18” to our 22’ 9” length.

Would like to get experiences from any of you who have added a rack in the back. Thanks in advance!

 

[GeorgeRad]

I added aluminum box and BBQ to my ladder for a few $ hundreds. Was your option a 24 carat gold plated for $9K?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085B2U9A?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_26&th=1

Mercedes Sprinter | Prime Design

www.primedesign.net

 

[otr]

We removed the spare from the hinge mount rack on our 2000, the back door was sagging, and added the spare to a modified bike rack which I attached with a second 2 inch receiver. It attached right on the main bar of the trailer hitch. Our new Roadtrek has the spare mounted underneath, and I am doing the same modification to add a storage box, the Pelican 1730 case is my choice for the ase configuration and our needs. Adding the same additional receiver and will use a tilting bike rack modified to hold it. With both vans we used the center receiver for our bike rack. This is the additional receiver Amazon.com: Towever 83801 Towever RV Bumper Hitch Receiver 2 inches Adapter for 4-4.5 inches Travel Trailer Rear Bumper : Automotive

 

[booster]

The pix in the Amazon listing show the pivoting part you have at the bottom placed at the top and a much more robust setup on the bottom. It looks like a bike rack setup there. They say 200# tongue weight which would be with just the bumper mount and a receiver with no upper part so that rating doesn't apply, I think. That setup is very much lighter than any hitch type tire carrier I have ever seen so be aware to watch for failure points or bouncing as you have an offset, probably near 8o# load on it.

 

[otr]

The pix in the Amazon listing show the pivoting part you have at the bottom placed at the top and a much more robust setup on the bottom. It looks like a bike rack setup there. They say 200# tongue weight which would be with just the bumper mount and a receiver with no upper part so that rating doesn't apply, I think. That setup is very much lighter than any hitch type tire carrier I have ever seen so be aware to watch for failure points or bouncing as you have an offset, probably near 8o# load on it.

Thanks for the concern, in my mind the offset puts the tire weight towards the front, the pivot we used was for rear carriers, in any case, the weight all in was probably 100lbs, with the tire mounted as it was. The pivot we used was much heavier than we needed, but it was less expensive than other options and served the purpose. It was a bitch to tilt it down, and lift it back up when opening the back door. I would not put more weight on the setup, but the hitch is listed as for bike racks and tire carriers. In any case the "continental" tire holder as OEM on the RT's over time destroys the integrity of the door and hinges.

 

[otr]

Thanks for the concern, I don't know if it matters whether the receiver is placed on top or bottom of it's supporting bar. When I used it, there was not space to mount it on top. in my mind the offset puts the tire weight towards the front, the pivot we used was for rear carriers, in any case, the weight all in was probably 100lbs, with the tire mounted as it was. The pivot we used was much heavier than we needed, but it was less expensive than other options and served the purpose. It was a bitch to tilt it down, and lift it back up when opening the back door. I would not put more weight on the setup, but the hitch is listed as for bike racks and tire carriers. In any case the "continental" tire holder as OEM on the RT's over time destroys the integrity of the door and hinges. The setup I am using for the box on my 2019 RT will put the receiver on top, but there is a space for this on the hitch on the n

 

[booster]

We have an 07 Chevy with the Roadtrek built tire carrier. They use a double outlet hitch so no bumper attachament. Just the carrier, without the tire is probably in the 80# range and made to carry the same weight, just the spare wheel.

 

[otr]

We have an 07 Chevy with the Roadtrek built tire carrier. They use a double outlet hitch so no bumper attachament. Just the carrier, without the tire is probably in the 80# range and made to carry the same weight, just the spare wheel.

Is that the cool hitch carrier with the spring loaded assist?

 

[Tom 98072]

There's a reason why PW chose not to give us a spare tire ... weight. Prepare your van for your normal or possibly longest trip. Load the reefer with your favorite beverages and cold food. Fill your water tank & fuel tank. Throw in the wife kids, dogs, etc. Go to the nearest place that will weigh your vehicle. Places that buy scrap iron or nurseries that sell bark, gravel rocks, etc. by the ton. They'll usually weigh you for free - not guaranteed but should be darn close. Inside the driver's door you will find the max weight for your vehicle; GVWR. Now, start throwing things out until you get down there. Then decide if you really want a spare. It will weigh as much as an adult or two medium size kids. The liquid (?) patch and pump provided by PW should get you far enough to get help. If you really need all the stuff consider a trailer. This shifts to GCWR which only includes the "tongue weight." A balanced trailer would only add about 10 to 15% of the weight of the trailer and goods. Besides that it can hold the campsite while you're out exploring. BTW if you're into tail-gating the spare tire and a pony keg or your buddy weigh about the same.

 

[booster]

Is that the cool hitch carrier with the spring loaded assist?

Ours is too old to have assist that came in later years. I did make an air powered lifter early on that still works great so no effort needed to lift the tire into place.

 

[Ajschwartz]

We’ve run out of room in our Pleasure-Way Plateau TW. I am looking at adding a spare and a cargo box to the back door hinges. Got a quote from La Mesa RV.

It’s not cheap - about $8,800. Plus, it will add about 18” to our 22’ 9” length.

Would like to get experiences from any of you who have added a rack in the back. Thanks in advance!

I would not spend that kind of money with Las Mesa RV-go to Aluminess.com. San Diego company-I purchased a spare tire holder on one door hinge and an external box on the other-I even had them powder coated to match my Pleasureway Plateau FL-2019. I have a great powder company also if you don't want a black one-A lot less then $8K

 

[Ajschwartz]

We’ve run out of room in our Pleasure-Way Plateau TW. I am looking at adding a spare and a cargo box to the back door hinges. Got a quote from La Mesa RV.

It’s not cheap - about $8,800. Plus, it will add about 18” to our 22’ 9” length.

Would like to get experiences from any of you who have added a rack in the back. Thanks in advance!

I just added up what I spent, including the purchase of the spare and an optional lock that goes over the spare on the spare holder-$4930.25 installed-If you want to powder coat the box, an additional 500 (outside only)

 

[Tom 98072]

Like anything else, if you decide to do it; look around and negotiate!