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- #21
my recomendation if you need a rack that will hold alot of weight is to do the cross bars out of 1X3 rectangular tube something pretty heavy duty. from there just weld up the thin tube basket so that it attached to the cross bars. the basket doesnt have to be heavy duty. All it has to do is anchore the goods up top. the real weight is in the cross bars. also i would recoment expanded metal for the floor, it will also help distribute the weight (makes a great sleeping platform too)
the strait pipe bent is awsome way to go however i didnt have a pipe bender and of course the angles pieces were much faster then bending pieces
I went with 1x1 crossmembers which are plenty strong, but the same idea. The strength is in the crossmembers, and the edge of the basket is more for looks.
I also skipped expanded metal and opted for 4x4 fence made of 1/4" rod, for a couple reasons:
1. Everybody uses expanded for everything. I wanted something a little diffferent.
2. The fence is super strong and lighter.
3. The fence allows usage of motorcycle-type tie downs much more easily than expended.
I should have more pics up soon, went wheelin' this evening with the rack (still not complete) mounted...