Community Forums

green_plaid · 12-19-2021, 10:59 PM

Picking up a 2022 Apex Nano 208BHS in a few months and one thing ive always struggled to find a place for was my 21 gallon Rhino tote. I see that Camco makes a bumper mount for it. I know bikes, racks and well anything on the bumper is not a great idea. What about a 21 gallon 35lb + 10lb bumper mounted tote holder? And of course the tote will be empty... That aside I had also thought about adding those additional bumper support brackets just because the spare tire is attached to it.

rarebear.nm · 12-19-2021, 11:33 PM

Several thoughts.

1) The rear bumper and possible hitch mount on some travel trailers are not very strong and can not support lots of weight. There should be a label somewhere that states the maximum weight the hitch can carry.

2) People attach many items on the rear of trailers. I have a carrier for a 32 gal tote. My rear hitch on trailer is factory installed and is rated for 400 lbs. Others may be more or less.

3) there can be a problem with the add-on gear having excess movement which can compound the various load issues. You want that hitch connection tight. There are some devices to snub up the connection. Another option is to have a two point mount welded onto the rear frame is it is strong enough.

4) be aware how adding weight on the rear effects overall handling of the trailer. You're putting weight at the end where every movement is amplified.

5) I'm not saying not to do this, but go into with eyes open wide. I do not know what an Apex Nano 208BHS is rated for.

green_plaid · 12-19-2021, 11:37 PM

I thought about movement but as long as the brackets don't flex too much it should stay pretty firm. Also it appears that you can move them so the tote stays pretty close to the back of the camper. Probably should message Coachmen to see what the bumper is rated for.

Tomahawk · 12-20-2021, 12:00 AM

Not for the guy that rear ends you...
If it is empty, I can't imagine the weight would matter, if the weight is over the bumper, like it is shown in the picture. Most bumpers are rated for something like 100 pounds. The spare tires that are mounted to the bumper put a healthy load on the bumpers because of the way they are cantilevered.

tuffr2 · 12-20-2021, 04:34 AM

A empty tote will be ok. The bumper is not very strong but is stong enough to to carry an empty tote.

Marine359 · 12-20-2021, 10:42 AM

Depends what else is riding on your bumper. My bumper rated to 75lbs. With spare tire and 27gal Thetford tote riding on bumper, but strapped to ladder, nothing bounces around, and it’s just under the bumper weight limit.

Dave Pelletier · 12-20-2021, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

A empty tote will be ok. The bumper is not very strong but is stong enough to to carry an empty tote.

ditto; I dislike carrying things on the rear bumper but an empty tote shouldn't be a problem.

Dave

The Ward Den · 12-20-2021, 02:10 PM

I get that an empty container would be ok, but isn't the point of having these things so that you can fill them before you get to a dumping station? So any trip away from, or between, your camping destination(s) would logically be with a tote that is full of sh*t. Literally. So I don't see why an empty tote would even matter if the idea is to fill it. It's kind of a moot point.

Unless they are used to lug back and forth to the campground dumping station by hand so you don't need to pack up and drive there if you don't have a toad or full hook-ups.

Dave Pelletier · 12-20-2021, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Ward Den

I get that an empty container would be ok, but isn't the point of having these things so that you can fill them before you get to a dumping station? So any trip away from, or between, your camping destination(s) would logically be with a tote that is full of sh*t. Literally. So I don't see why an empty tote would even matter if the idea is to fill it. It's kind of a moot point.

Unless they are used to lug back and forth to the campground dumping station by hand so you don't need to pack up and drive there if you don't have a toad or full hook-ups.

I think your latter scenario is the most common usage of such totes.

Dave

green_plaid · 12-20-2021, 07:40 PM

Yeah...I would only be using it to go back and forth to the dump station and it would only be on the bumper when empty. Easier than telling the family to conserve water...alot easier!

Bylandorsea · 12-20-2021, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

A empty tote will be ok. The bumper is not very strong but is stong enough to to carry an empty tote.

I agree , and I see a lot on the bumper, if it was on my RV the wife (picky) would have to have a cover or something silly!

Nwcid · 12-20-2021, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Ward Den

I get that an empty container would be ok, but isn't the point of having these things so that you can fill them before you get to a dumping station? So any trip away from, or between, your camping destination(s) would logically be with a tote that is full of sh*t. Literally. So I don't see why an empty tote would even matter if the idea is to fill it. It's kind of a moot point.

Unless they are used to lug back and forth to the campground dumping station by hand so you don't need to pack up and drive there if you don't have a toad or full hook-ups.

How do you get a full tote loaded on the back? Even at 21 gallons that is over 150lbs.......

Your second statement is typically how they are used. In my case we boondock and my 60 gallon (~500lb full) tank is mounted on my vehicle permanently do it requires a macerator to fill.

Marine359 · 12-21-2021, 06:04 AM

Have never used mine for black water, only gray. Haven’t been far enough from a dump station that I couldn’t tow the tote to it. However, things will be different on dispersed blm this year. Guess I’ll have to buy a macerator to pump gray up into tote in pickup bed, or dump on the ground where permissible.