Enclosed Aluminum Box Front Mount

[Tim and Christie]

I am looking for an enclosed aluminum box to mount where the factory "basket" goes on the front frame.  Has anyone found one that fits well and has some room for tools and odds and ends?

[Mike and Carol]

I’ve had this on my tongue for 4 or 5 years.  Holds all my chocks, blocks, gloves, some tools and 20 big yellow legos.  I got it on Amazon, there were several to choose from.  It was a little over $100 then.

 

[John E Davies]

Be aware that an inexpensive box is made of  VERY thin aluminum, that is good for keeping down tongue weight, but it is super easy to damage or break into. A plastic version might prove to be more durable, and lighter. This box is less than 20 pounds shipping weight, it is one of those fragile ones.

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Mike and Carol]

Yep, that looks like what I have.  Thin aluminum and lightweight.  You can lock it, but I never do since I don’t carry anything of value in it.  I’ve had it longer than I thought, just checked my Amazon orders and I got it in October 2017.  It still works fine, no dents or damage, does exactly what I got it for.  Mike

[Ollie-Haus]

3 hours ago, John E Davies said:

Be aware that an inexpensive box is made of  VERY thin aluminum, that is good for keeping down tongue weight, but it is super easy to damage or break into. A plastic version might prove to be more durable, and lighter. This box is less than 20 pounds shipping weight, it is one of those fragile ones.

John Davies

Spokane WA

I've had this box on the tongue of my utility trailer for about 8 years. It's actually a very nice box. Gas strut still works and the lock works fine if you need it. I purchased mine at Tractor Supply. They usually have them in stock at their stores.

[Patriot]

Here if you want a “custom” gen box-

https://kshmarine.com/custom-generator-boxes/

 

[ScubaRx]

2 hours ago, Patriot said:

Here if you want a “custom” gen box-

https://kshmarine.com/custom-generator-boxes/

 

These boxes are absolutely top of the line. Jim Oliver swore by them.

[MAX Burner]

Couldn't beat the price point and description of this one...  Just ordered:

16 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

 I got it on Amazon, there were several to choose from.  It was a little over $100 then.

For us... a game changer.  Thanks for the link!

 

[VBistro]

We just installed this before leaving on a 6 week trip.  It's been a game changer!

https://a.co/d/a6BiZn5

[Tim and Christie]

Thanks guys!  Mike, I ogled yours at the rally as I walked around looking at boxes.  I will probably go that way, but I am thinking that I might coat it with bed liner.  I'll post the result when we get it done.

[Mike and Carol]

2 minutes ago, Tim Willingham said:

Thanks guys!  Mike, I ogled yours at the rally as I walked around looking at boxes.  I will probably go that way, but I am thinking that I might coat it with bed liner.  I'll post the result when we get it done.

You’d have been welcomed to do more than ogle!  I’ve been surprised at how durable it’s been, especially considering the price.  Will be interested in what you do.  Mike

[Fritz]

Mike, could you (or others that have installed this or a similar box) perhaps send some photos of how you attached it to the trailer frame?  If doing it again, might you do it differently?

Thanks!

 

 

[Mike and Carol]

I posted some pictures years ago when I installed my box but I can’t find the thread.  Part of my box is on the fiberglass and part is over the aluminum tongue.  I used a piece of a workout mat (square puzzle like pieces) on top of the aluminum to make the mounting surface even.  Then, I simply drilled three holes through the box and through the fiberglass and used some stainless steel bolts to secure the box.  I have a piece of yoga mat on the bottom of the box to cover the bolt heads.  I’ll try to find some pictures.

Here’s a shot of the bolts, the placement was determined by the configuration of the tongue underneath.

 

 

A blurry shot from underneath the tongue.  It doesn’t look like much but it has been very stable over the last 5 years or so.

[Katjo]

On 5/16/2023 at 5:12 PM, Tim Willingham said:

I am looking for an enclosed aluminum box to mount where the factory "basket" goes on the front frame.  Has anyone found one that fits well and has some room for tools and odds and ends?

Great question!
We’ve been wanting to add a box to ours as well. 

We are swaying on buying the one Mike and Carol posted, I’m just a little nervous about drilling through the fiberglass.😬

[Mike and Carol]

7 hours ago, Katjo said:

We are swaying on buying the one Mike and Carol posted, I’m just a little nervous about drilling through the fiberglass.😬

I was too!  There may other, more elegant ways to mount it.  I figured it wasn’t coming off and if it did I’d replace it with something so the holes won’t show.

[MAX Burner]

Just about finished installing the cargo box we ordered from Amazon.  

FYI:  Used 6 each, 1 1/4" self-tapping screws with lock washers over a 1/8" x 2" x 18" aluminum band across the back (port/stbd) to distribute the load.  Used a shorter 8" piece (fore/aft) in the center.  A single screw with a fender washer was used for the forward-most position over the A-frame where a spacer was used under the box.  

We're using the box to secure items such as OTT 30A Furrion power cord & adapters, surge protector, fresh water hose/filter, plastic "Leggo" blocks, wheel chocks, torque wrench, Magnus' cable lanyard, and there's room left over.  

Thanks to @John E Davies, @ScubaRx, @Ollie-Haus and others for their suggestions and recommendations...  We also think this idea will be a game changer for better access to items needed for set-up.  Beats the "deep knee squat - bending over drill" to pull boxes out of the rear storage compartment!  HA!

 

IMG_7354.HEIC IMG_7353.HEIC

[Katjo]

1 hour ago, MAX Burner said:

Just about finished installing the cargo box we ordered from Amazon.  

FYI:  Used 6 each, 1 1/4" self-tapping screws with lock washers over a 1/8" x 2" x 18" aluminum band across the back (port/stbd) to distribute the load.  Used a shorter 8" piece (fore/aft) in the center.  A single screw with a fender washer was used for the forward-most position over the A-frame where a spacer was used under the box.  

We're using the box to secure items such as OTT 30A Furrion power cord & adapters, surge protector, fresh water hose/filter, plastic "Leggo" blocks, wheel chocks, torque wrench, Magnus' cable lanyard, and there's room left over.  

Thanks to @John E Davies, @ScubaRx, @Ollie-Haus and others for their suggestions and recommendations...  We also think this idea will be a game changer for better access to items needed for set-up.  Beats the "deep knee squat - bending over drill" to pull boxes out of the rear storage compartment!  HA!

 

IMG_7354.HEIC 2.78 MB · 1 download IMG_7353.HEIC 2.04 MB · 1 download

Fantastic! I like the looks of this box? Link? 

[MAX Burner]

1 hour ago, Katjo said:

Fantastic! I like the looks of this box? Link?

@Katjo:  Here's the link:

ARKSEN 29 Inch Aluminum Diamond Plate Tongue Box Tool Chest, Waterproof Under Truck Storage for Pick Up Truck Bed, RV Trailer, ATV with Lock and Keys - Silver

 

[Jim and Chris Neuman]

On 5/16/2023 at 6:11 PM, Patriot said:

Here if you want a “custom” gen box-

https://kshmarine.com/custom-generator-boxes/

 

Has anyone used this vendor for a custom box?  If so, what dimensions did you go with?  With the hindsight of having had this vendor build a box for you, any insights you can share with us? 

My inclination would be to go with a smaller box than the lighter commercial boxes shown in previous posts ... just enough for chocks and a few commonly used setup tools & supplies.

[Katjo]

47 minutes ago, MAX Burner said:

@Katjo:  Here's the link:

ARKSEN 29 Inch Aluminum Diamond Plate Tongue Box Tool Chest, Waterproof Under Truck Storage for Pick Up Truck Bed, RV Trailer, ATV with Lock and Keys - Silver

 

Thank you!!

[Tim and Christie]

I am also scared to death to drill into the fiberglass.  But I like the look and the space!

[MAX Burner]

10 hours ago, Tim Willingham said:

I am also scared to death to drill into the fiberglass.

We used a standard metal cutting drill bit, measured (3 or 4 times) and predrilled holes in box, positioned it exactly in place, "Sharpie-marked" through the predrilled holes to the fiberglass pre-fixed with 3M Blue Painters tape.  Spring-punched the marks, pre-drilled through fiberglass on a rather slow speed and light pressure on the drill motor, then drilled through the aluminum frame.  Final-drilled all holes - filled holes with clear silicon caulk;  mounted box and applied a final bead of clear caulk around all edges.  It feels like a very solid fit...FYI.

[mountainoliver]

I purchased a generator box from the KSH folks while we were in Lake Havasu this past winter. I particularly wanted a box for my Honda 2000 generator. For the past five years I’ve kept the generator in the Oliver basket (the older expanded aluminum version which weighed 35 pounds empty) and covered with truckers tarp material. This has worked great but the tarp has aged and would have had to be replaced in another year or so. The stock KHS box has three openings covered with removable aluminum plates so that the generator can be used inside the box. This setup is not at all water resistant and I’m not interested in using the generator so close to my trailer. I ended up getting them to make a box without the three cutouts. The box came with two hold down brackets welded in place which I removed because they were exactly in my way where I needed to mount the box. I was able to use the existing holes in the fiberglass cowling and the original stainless u bolts. The back part of the box is mounted to a 1/4 inch thick by 6 inch wide aluminum plate. The front is mounted to a 1/8 wall 1 inch by 3 inch rectangle aluminum tube. This allows the box to be level. I made two 1/4 inch aluminum spacers for the u bolts to clamp against for inside of the box. The u bolts can also be used to strap down the generator inside the box. I made two  3/8 thick by 1 1/2 inch wide brackets for under the frame. As you can see in the photos, the front bracket was made so that I can hang the safety chains on it as well. 

[Patriot]

21 hours ago, mountainoliver said:

I purchased a generator box from the KSH folks while we were in Lake Havasu this past winter. I particularly wanted a box for my Honda 2000 generator. For the past five years I’ve kept the generator in the Oliver basket (the older expanded aluminum version which weighed 35 pounds empty) and covered with truckers tarp material. This has worked great but the tarp has aged and would have had to be replaced in another year or so. The stock KHS box has three openings covered with removable aluminum plates so that the generator can be used inside the box. This setup is not at all water resistant and I’m not interested in using the generator so close to my trailer. I ended up getting them to make a box without the three cutouts. The box came with two hold down brackets welded in place which I removed because they were exactly in my way where I needed to mount the box. I was able to use the existing holes in the fiberglass cowling and the original stainless u bolts. The back part of the box is mounted to a 1/4 inch thick by 6 inch wide aluminum plate. The front is mounted to a 1/8 wall 1 inch by 3 inch rectangle aluminum tube. This allows the box to be level. I made two 1/4 inch aluminum spacers for the u bolts to clamp against for inside of the box. The u bolts can also be used to strap down the generator inside the box. I made two  3/8 thick by 1 1/2 inch wide brackets for under the frame. As you can see in the photos, the front bracket was made so that I can hang the safety chains on it as well. 

@mountainoliver 

I like the way you secured the aluminum box to the Oliver frame it appears very robust vs self tapping screws.
How do you plan to secure your generator when in use?
Can you post up a few photos of your gen inside the box when not in use?

Thanks!

Patriot🇺🇸

[John E Davies]

48 minutes ago, Patriot said:

@mountainoliver 

I like the way you secured the aluminum box to the Oliver frame it appears very robust vs self tapping screws.

Patriot🇺🇸

I agree, self taping screws of any size is not an appropriate method here. There are a lot of violent dynamic forces going on during towing. Especially if the load is unsecured inside and unbalanced side to side. That is why Oliver uses u-bolts there…

I mounted a similar very light duty box inside my Ram 3500 cabin for carrying gear, it worked great there. I sold it to a guy who was going to mount it on the back of his ATV, I never heard back from him. I wonder how long it lasted before flying completely off in the backwoods…

John Davies

Spokane WA