Some of y’all may have read my post about my vertical tire mount solution: Non-welding interior tire storage option I put it through its paces during a three-day camping/riding trip last weekend, and it did fine. However, I was checking out a friend’s shelf unit in the back of his vehicle, and by the time I was driving home, I’d decided to look into building some kind of platform that would fit over a horizontal tire.
I got out in the driveway Wednesday afternoon, cleaned out the back of El Guapo, laid the tire on its side and started taking measurements. At first, my thought was a platform that spanned the entire width of the back. Then after a little more pondering, I decided to focus on a platform that only covered, and rested on, the tire.
I took some more measurements, and then started looking for something about 3’ x 3’ to lie on top of the tire to help me visualize how the final product might look. I was rummaging around in the garage when it hit me – my parent’s old card table! The table was 32” square and fit over the tire perfectly. Well, that got me thinking… instead of a fixed platform, why not something like an old, sturdy card table with the legs cut down so that the underside of the table rested on the tire and any weight on top of the table would be spread over the legs and the tire underneath?!
I like that the table doesn’t go all the way to the passenger side, because I still have access to the side compartment (which holds my portable CB) and the 3rd row seat bracket (which I use as a strap-down point). I’ll also use that space to store my mat, tarp, and small shovel. Then, when I fold down the 2nd-row seat, I have a sleeping platform. And, at camp it could be taken out and used as a table (a short one, but a table nonetheless).
I did some test-fitting with my cooler and some storage bins that I have around the house, and then I ordered a set of Ziploc Weathertight containers (two 15 gallon and two 4 gallon). The two larger containers should fit side-by-side on the table, or one on top of the other. The two smaller containers will fit on top of either larger container. I also took my PVC tire brace and cut it down so that the two smaller containers can sit on it flush with the driver’s rear wheel hump.
I got out in the driveway Wednesday afternoon, cleaned out the back of El Guapo, laid the tire on its side and started taking measurements. At first, my thought was a platform that spanned the entire width of the back. Then after a little more pondering, I decided to focus on a platform that only covered, and rested on, the tire.
I took some more measurements, and then started looking for something about 3’ x 3’ to lie on top of the tire to help me visualize how the final product might look. I was rummaging around in the garage when it hit me – my parent’s old card table! The table was 32” square and fit over the tire perfectly. Well, that got me thinking… instead of a fixed platform, why not something like an old, sturdy card table with the legs cut down so that the underside of the table rested on the tire and any weight on top of the table would be spread over the legs and the tire underneath?!
I like that the table doesn’t go all the way to the passenger side, because I still have access to the side compartment (which holds my portable CB) and the 3rd row seat bracket (which I use as a strap-down point). I’ll also use that space to store my mat, tarp, and small shovel. Then, when I fold down the 2nd-row seat, I have a sleeping platform. And, at camp it could be taken out and used as a table (a short one, but a table nonetheless).
I did some test-fitting with my cooler and some storage bins that I have around the house, and then I ordered a set of Ziploc Weathertight containers (two 15 gallon and two 4 gallon). The two larger containers should fit side-by-side on the table, or one on top of the other. The two smaller containers will fit on top of either larger container. I also took my PVC tire brace and cut it down so that the two smaller containers can sit on it flush with the driver’s rear wheel hump.
