Van Life Essentials How to Carry an Ebike on a Van
Vložit
- čas přidán 24. 04. 2017
- One of the problems of living in a tiny home on wheels like a van is not having enough room. I found a great solution to that by carrying a Stowaway Hitch Box on the back of my van. It's hinged so that it swings out of your way allowing you to fully open your back doors.
Subscribe: / @cheaprvliving
Be sure to check out my Amazon store, which is full of items that I either use myself, or know other nomads who use them.
Buy anything through my Amazon Store and the commission helps support the channel.
My Amazon Store:
www.amazon.com/shop/cheaprvli...
AMAZON LINKS - Items I Recommend:
~Power Stations
amzn.to/3P4S3YV
~12V Batteries
amzn.to/3R16srM
~Portable Solar Panels
amzn.to/3PzhK5z
~Hard Solar Panels
amzn.to/45EVXPi
~Gas and Dual Fuel Generators
amzn.to/3L8Ix5W
~Air Conditioner Units
amzn.to/3P5wAip
~Pop Up Tents
amzn.to/3sNkFyc
______________________________________
Website:
cheaprvliving.com
My Book- How to Live in a Car, Van or RV:
amzn.to/3LDxDWW
Need a Cool Hat, T-shirt, or Sticker:
cheaprvlivingstore.creator-sp...
My Amazon Store:
www.amazon.com/shop/cheaprvli...
---------------------------------------------------------------
Socials:
• Facebook: / cheaprvlivingdotcom
• Instagram: @CheapRVliving
• TikTok: / cheaprvliving
______________________________________
Thanks for watching!
Bob, can this hitch box be ordered to swing away on the opposite side? Thanks and love the video!
No, this model only swings to the right.
CheapRVliving I asked cuz my rear door swings to the right. I think it will still work though. Thank you Bob!
If I had to guess it's probably for the same reason as your door, so if it accidentally came loose any items would fall to the ditch / curb instead of ongoing traffic. If your cargo is arranged just so it should still work. Thanks for watching Peaches.
CheapRVliving Makes complete sense.
I'm also looking for a left hinge swing-away cargo carrier. I want it to swing the same way as the Dodge van single rear door.
What a treat!! I watched this video this morning I knew exactly what the back of your van looked like while heading to Prescott Az from Riverside CA. There I was driving on the 60 fwy just past Quartzsite and low and behold it was you Bob!! I'm the crazy lady in the green 300 that passed you up and blew my horn and waved!! You mean a lot to me. Not just because I love your videos, but because I realize I have way more than I'll ever need. And even if I didn't have way more, if I didn't have enough, I'd be okay. That is a priceless perspective for me as I recover from an ugly divorce.
I saw this guy add a seat swivel under his box and it worked wonderfully!!
I was very reluctant to adding the trailer hitch cargo rack due to the doors not opening. This solves my problem....Yay! I didn't know the swinging frame was available. Good demo. Thanks Bob! 🚐💨
Seriously, your one of the most informative people on CZcams!! Thanks for covering all bases such as cost$$, pros and cons of materials, practicality and function!!! 💕✌️👍👍
It is my pleasure Linda, thanks for watching
Linda R. I agree with you Linda! Bob you're the best! Hoping to be full timing soon!
You could be on the travel channel with your own series. You are a problem solver. You manage to come up with all kinds of ideas to make full time travel work and to live a comfortable life. Safe travels !!
Thanks Bob. I really appreciate all your how to videos since my mental visualization of concepts is very poor unless I see and or do a project. But once I get hands on it is in the old noggin for good. Very helpful. Thanks again. Happy trails.
I saw a guy on You Tube that solved the inability to fully open the left door. He mounted a boat seat swivel between the hitch and box, after he swings the hitch box out he releases his boat swivel and rotated the box out of the way.
Hi Bob, well, I got the wood, hardware, and paint today for my Stowaway Swing Hitch. I KNOW I've listened to this vid at least 20 times and I finally caught the wood dimensions, 2x5! I also asked the gentle men at the Home Depot to assist me in finding the right wood to use, hardware, and paint. Also, because I asked, I was given the chance to buy wood at 70% off as it had some flaws, and outside primer with paint that was 66% off because it was already mixed and someone didn't want it! It's amazing how much help is out there if you're willing to ask politely. :-) Tomorrow I'll be cutting and painting my board and hopefully be ready to leave by week's end. Not sure how long it will take the paint to dry, but I also have to buy the boxes. I have some nice boxes but they are the sturdy action packer or husky type boxes. Thanks for all the help and advice you give to our van/rv/car dwelling community.
I am going to get one of these! I dont understand how your videos ever have any thumbs down I really enjoy your content and even if a video isn't something I am particularly interested in I would never feel the need to thumbs down it!
Timing is everything! Just started looking for a hitch carrier to modify to do just what this product does for my new van build. Thanks Bob!!!
Thx Bob. Your videos are the best. I'm many years away from travel but I love learning and I can use some Mideast for camping.
omg i didnt even know there was such a thing! i had one came with my van but not being able to open back door was too clostrophobic. one of my major problems SOLVED!! Thank you Bob!
My pleasure Gypsy Camp Studio, thanks for watching!
I’ve looked and looked for something like this! I thought maybe I’d find at Big Tent. Clearly I should have asked you! Ordered today!
Looks like a windy day. No noise on the video. Well done and good information.
Really cool!...it looks like it can also serve as a platform for outdoor cooking..or eating table..next time your at Kmarts garden section,check out what there using for their plants selves..ours went out of business, and sold fixtures out of their stores..I plan to use the metal grid shelves instead of wood..that way water and wind would pass thru...thanks for your video..it shoved my last problem..
John Villanueva great tip! thanks :)
Excellent tip John.
That was my idea. Install an RV awning on the side and swing the box around.
Great designed hitch box! Love it, thanks Bob.
Bob, looking forward to seeing the new build. Hope you will take us on a tour soon!
Thanks for another fine video. You are giving me a lot of good tips.I plan on building a van,and taking some long trips,and one day , sell the house,and live on the road for good.
Thanks Bob for another great video, this may be just the ticket I am looking for, when we get our truck camper to solve two potential issues.
Nice addition Bob, I'm sure that will get great usage. Thanks for sharing:)
A great video Bob. I've been looking for a large mobile tool chest and without watching your vids i wouldn't of known of the Stanley Fatmax tool chest. I've just ordered ordered one so thanks for your informative filming.
That's a really great price! I've priced some swing away cargo boxes and they are way out of my price range. This is a cheaper alternative. Thanks for sharing this. Have an awesome week my friend.
Thanks AM, there are some things I'm willing to pay full price for, but anything I am only securing against the casual theif doesn't require that level of investment. Have a great week as well.
Thanks for sharing this and for all your informative videos,Bob. Got to get me one of these.
Great solution...Thanks Bob for info! Happy Trails!
We definitely need more of these videos.
this is perfect to build an exterior kitchenette
Thank You I appreciate every video you've created 🐾
Bob, I enjoy your videos, Thank you much !
Might be the first to watch .....definitely the first of many likes....thank you Bob for your great work....looking forward to going again to the Rtr....this will be number 2 for me.
Thanks for watching arthur
Great design and solution, Bob.
Thanks for posting, MR Bob! You are just full of great ideas!!
Thanks for watching Julia
I always learn something from your videos.
as soon as I saw the scrub around you, i thought, hey that looks like Tucson. good info, i am gutting an Xplorer RV to rebuild. Thanks!
can't wait for the tour bob :)
It is a good ad-on for any adventure vehicle and have the flexibility of using different shape boxes including open them at the front. Also there is the potential to carry extra fuel, water cans, etc.
this is a great idea. this will store a lot of stuff that will not fit inside. great video again and thanks for sharing this with me. I was wondering when will we see the whole van build on the new one? or did I miss it? thanks for every thing that you do for all of the people so it makes it easier in transition. thanks for taking me along to these wonderful places. stay safe and happy trails. love Joyce
Just ordered mine Bob...THANKS!
Waiting to see the video on your new van build. With all your knowledge, I'll bet it's quite the new home for you.
''Why didn't I come up with this ? hahaha. Looks like a real helpful & useful item for any truck. Must keep this in mind.
i look forward to watching you videos. i love to travel around australia, but my husband likes 4 star motels. thank you
Oh my I really do need this now. I have 180 saved for a Jack and poultry wench thingy for my spare tire. I'd rather have one of those and so I'm saving a little more and getting one of those. Thank you Bob.
I love it this is a great idea. thank you Bob .
Really like that Stowaway Hitch frame.
Great info Bob!
Bob, this is the 3rd time I watched this video. I really want to get the swing away type.
Hey Bob, I have a Ford Transit and right door, closer to the ditch, has to open first before the left door, so I too would prefer a left swinging Swing-Away hitch.
Great video Bob .. Thank you from Ohio
Brilliant! Just today I was thinking about having chickens on a Van and now you come with this. You can also make a henhouse on there for 2 to 3 chickens. You'll have fresh eggs every day. Make a closed cage around it for when you drive with a plexiglass roof. (Not on the side for they will get dizzy.) Then when you camp the chickens can roam free. They will lay the eggs inside the nest.
What an interesting idea Isa. It could work for some nomads, I've seen a goat on a school in and a nomad with rabbits so why not?
Or, if some one really likes fresh fruit and vegetables one could make a little greenhouse out of plastic. Grow strawberries or lettuce, tomatoes, beans etc. It would only take 20 to 30 cm soil hight. (7 to 12 inch).
The guy who owned my motorhome before me made an easily removable light weight square tubular steel frame that plugs into sockets welded to the inside of the rear bumper, it holds a diamond plate aluminum pickup tool box. That box is an attractive and an inexpensive way to achieve additional, lockable storage without adding much length or weight, and leaves the hitch available if I wanted to add something else. I do find that the less storage I have the better.
Great video Bob. Kuat makes a 2" pivot swing away hitch receiver that you just fit a a rack right into. It's also longer which swings out further. $299 from etrailer w free shipping. Also, I noticed the Diet Pepsi, check out some info on how diet drinks kills good gut bacteria which aids properly digesting food. Take care.
Bob, great video. Even being 9 months late on this, I'll share. Those carriage bolts you use may not be your best choice. They're squared under the head to fit inside a metal frame designed for that bolt. Male to female as it where. Eventually that square will round off that wood hole even bigger and it could cause problems. Loosened bolts will affect the integrity of the gear being fastened. Secondly, I hope you used a lock nut ( a second nut) lock washer and Loctite on the bolt to secure it all, and prevent the assembly from loosening. Good luck.
it looks like a good addition to your van.
thanks Bob. i could really use this on my truck.
Very helpful, thanks Bob.
Bob, I was intrigued by the Swing-Away mount and after watching your informative video, I went to the Amazon site too do a little more investigating, the reviews were mostly positive, I saw a few similar products, lower priced but bad reviews.
I was looking for something to use on my Cargo trailer conversion, which has a 2" reciver on the back and barn doors. So I planned on giving it some thought before ordering, well apparently I unknowingly clicked the purchase button, because a couple days later I received a notice from Amazon that it had shipped it from their warehouse and it was on the way to me! I guess it was meant too be!
My plan now is too build a cabinet too hold a sink too go with my rear outside kitchen.
At least I hope I hit your affiliate link so you might get the purchase credit! Thanks for all your Great ideas!
Thanks goatman62, I hope it works out for you!
Nice Job Bob ! Thanks !
Good Video ...Thanks Bob
love the flagstaff sticker. AZ!
I like the aspect of being able to have moped, I am more scewed to really of road, w/overhead rackes, I run 3/4/ton+ but nice add on!
great video thank you
Hey Bob. Nice video. Very informative as always! Hey, have I somehow missed your van build videos or are they still to come?
Thanks Bob. I was looking at bumpers/swing outs made specifically for the Express van last night. Here you are 12 hours later with a much better solution. If anyone would like a good laugh here are some of the insane prices I found: For a front bumper that can hold a winch, unpainted and unfinished that you have to weld to mounts yourself: $1600 US. weldtecdesigns.com/product/chevrolet-express-winch-bumper/ The other two I found were around $1900 powder coated. For a back bumper swing out carrier set up: $2500 www.aluminess.com/chevrolet/chevy-van-2003-2013/rear-bumper/ For the price of two bumpers you could buy an okay van. If I'm going to spend that much money I might as well just buy two vans and when one gets stuck just hop in my other van and cheese it! One front bumper and one rear $4,100. Not to mention, half unpainted and you have to weld. Now put them on at a weight gain of only 550 pounds unloaded and you'll be stuck in no time. Woot, you get to try out your new winch. *Winch not included.
(When I see over built 4x4 trucks I always wonder if the more money the owner spends is in direct relation to less and less actual abuse on the vehicle in 4x4 situations. Are you more likely to beat up a $2000 1980s jeep cj or a new Rubicon with $30,000 of add ons? Anyone ever see beat up Rubicons on the road?) Again, thanks Bob. You work and effort is appreciated.
Build a covered camper bed on top of that to free up ur van space....sleep sideways to the van or at a angle. Just an idea. Cheaper to heat and cool.
Bob you talked about putting that cargo basket with the swivel I love the idea and I'm wanting to put the swivel hitch on could you do a whole video on how to put the cargo basket on the swivel hitch I bought the swivel hitch I cannot figure out how to get the basket on the swivel hitch
thanks a million I've been like that I can build my own box I seen the ones you're talking about and I don't like I rather build my own
It’s $450 now! Gotta love that
ur The bomb..tks again. Great info!
Thanks for watching Debi
nice Bob i need that
Love your videos, do you think you could talk about bicycles. T hinging of buying one. But do not know what to buy for the terrain.
Yeay! Another solution! :-)
Hi, Bob!!! LOVE the swing away hitch!! Perfect!!! I find your videos so valuable and informative!!! Btw.....couldn't help but notice the white contrails of the 5 - 7 planes flying side by side overhead! At first I thought it was string or something stretching from your van to the hitch. Were you near a military base or something?
OK I found your links thank you so much but it is unavailable now you can’t get it so I took a Screenshots and I’m gonna go to my local auto parts store and see if they can get it and or my welder maybe he can get it to I don’t know thank you Bob I love your videos you are the reason I’m on the road
Bob. I really like the quality of your videos. Can you share what camera you have and if you have special sound equipment
Walmart sells a box made by Smart Bin that is 49 US gallons and sells for about 45.00. It's very sturdy and has a hinged top that makes a great table. Unfortunately; it's not in stock at the moment. I'm waiting [and hoping] for an email notice that they have them in stock. I want two... The dimensions of the box are 40" L X 24" W X 18" H.
Pretty cool .
I know your busy with the rtr. Hope you guys are having a great Ike. I have a question and figured you might have seen a solution. I have a 2017 Prius, I also have an ultralite custom wheelchair. When I go car camping bring the chair sadly can’t fit. I’ve been looking for swing away options so I can store some of my camping gear outside, therefore making room for my chair inside. When you interview Prius campers, any with hitchboxes and what they use is absolutely helpful to me. I’m young but need my mobility aids and love camping outdoors. Thanks.
I'm always putting receivers on cars but these new cars are a challenge nothing to attach to also could over laod your suspension harbor freight carries an aluminum cargo carrier
Bob, that's a terrific solution to a real problem. Great job. Instead of bungee cords, could you use load-hauling straps with the ratcheting tighteners?
Absolutely!
Bob, you make very interesting videos. In this particular one it seems to me that you on this and that exten that extended van you had?
bob.. how come you didn't bolt your other metal frame on to that you probably could have just either cut off the part that goes into the receiver hitch I was just wondering... I actually had a friend make one for me when I was still Expediting in a big cargo van that had a swing out arm I carried my generator on it in a box bolted down... as always great video can't wait for your van build video
hi Bob, I have one similar to your older one...same problem with doors..RtRek...how do you keep it from listing to the heavier side... is it much stronger than the other one...hope this makes sense. .. linda
wally world has atv racks on clearanve for less than $40...paid 10 for mine. not as big but does the job. now if Bob could do a roof fix video on a budget...
Good idea Robert!
Please does anyone know where he films all these videos with the mountains in background? Also are you staying there for free or did u have to pay a fee to a park ect ect?? Thanks to anyone who may know ahead of time. Wouldn't mind waking up to that everyday, beautiful.
How much weight bearing loads can it hold? We are throwing around getting a small freezer. In case we go hunting and need somewhere to put the processed meat!
awesome!!
Hi Bob,.. I like this very much, but not for storage. I think it would be great for a waterproof outdoor kitchen, with one area of it to have a swing out grill, from the kitchen build, on the overall frame. I may just buy one of those one day, for an outdoor kitchen. :-) ✌
Hey bob, it's big Josh. I'm thinking about putting one of these on mine. Could you somehow secure the boxes down with some type of bolt so that someone couldn't just grab the box? Thanks.
If you ever have to replace that board or use any other boards outside coat them heavily with your used motor oil then when they have dried a couple days you can paint them. They will last for MANY MANY yrs.
Just paint alone will only give you about a yr
We see the 1s that slide into the receiver bounce an sway all over the place . Jeep 4x4 parts Mags. have some swing racks that might be stronger but cost way more . Maybe some reflective tape on the corners . Watch yr shins . Much luk
Hi, how come you replaces the job box with the action packers...I think I like them better.. lighter? Linda
Great solution to storage although I think i'd go small trailer or under floor storage bins
Thanks Remus, my experience shows that if I have additional space I'll fill it. That's why I got rid of my trailer. Use what works for you, of course, but this compromise works for me.
Hey Bob ,very useful piece of kit! How much weight can it hold ?
Hi Bob, I got my swing away hitch and put it on last night. I have a couple questions. There were NO directions in the box. What are the large "brass" washers for? Also, is the swing away part supposed to sit quite higher then where it actually goes into the latch? I need to find my wratchet set so I can tighten the hardware. Also, What does the black metal plate that attaches to the U ring do other than secure the U ring?
I am leaving in 2 weeks and would like to get this. Pricy! mudslinger, can you tell me if it is good, the Silver Spring brand scooter you mentioned. a few of the other cheaper models the amazon reviews of those said they bent right away. Getting this more expensive and sturdier one is probably the way to go. I will look at Silver Spring brand scooter one
Hi Bob, just wondering if the swing away would work with a rear tailgate on a Ford Expedition. Would the swing give you the room to raise the tailgate? Or not. I currently have the standard hitch mounted cargo box, but I can’t ope my tailgate. Thanks David
Would it be safe to store gas canisters in the totes in this hitch since it is outside the vehicle? There are some places I’d love to be able to carry extra gas but I’m not sure how to safely do so.
Bob, thanks, this video is timely as I was just thinking about buying one of these but wasn't sure if the boxes were optional. I have a box already and to deter thieves while traveling, isn't it possible for me to bolt it from the floor inside the box to the wood platform as an added deterrence?
Yes it is Dreamer.
Bob please look up this on Amazon
Lumintrail 12mm (1/2 inch) Heavy-Duty Security Cable, Vinyl Coated Braided Steel with Sealed Looped Ends (4' or 7')
I look forward to the series on the new build.
Thanks for the tip Paul.
Since this attaches to the hitch is the weight you carry part of the tow capacity of your vehicle or is it considered as part of your on board load capacity ?
Bro I was hoping to get a better look at the rig! When do we get the van tour?
Would it have been possible to use the old platform instead of the plywood?