Mounting to A-frame

[Bart@Joolca]

Hey guys,

We're working on a mount for our HOTTAP to a CT's A-frame.

What kind of mount would you like to see? What are your A-frame dimensions?

We want to make a mount that will be universal and quickly and easily fitted. We're thinking about having the unit mounted either on the side of the frame (by having a plate welded to the side of a hollow bar) with U-bolts on the sides, or by having it mounted on the top of the frame with U-bolts from under (with a plate welded on the bottom of the bar).

What do you think? If you have your own set up, we would love to see it, so feel free to post it up.

Thanks in advance for the input !

Bart

[chester ver2.0]

Sorry what is a HOTAP

[GGV8Cruza]

Sorry what is a HOTAP

Click the link at the bottom of his footer

GG

[Bart@Joolca]

Haha, my apologies. The HOTTAP is our 6L/min Hot Water Appliance.

Here is an image:


Dimensions: 370mm(H) * 270mm(W) * 165mm(D)

Hope this helps!

Thanks GG

Bart

[paulo]

What about some sort of stirrup or bracket that is part of the unit ( or easily removable/ replaceable) that will sit over 50mm section, guessing that most drawbars would be 75 x 50mm or 100 x 50mm.

Or a pole with a hanger/hook like in the photo of the shower door that can stand on the ground and hook to the 50mm section?? Lock it on with some thumb screws or the like.

[chester ver2.0]

Ahh now i get it

Whichever way you go keep in mind using my bikes on the a frame as a reference point there is a lot of side to side movement as you travel because you are close to the coupling and there will always be small movement as the vehicle then camper hit obstacles on the road and this will move the track as the camper follows the vehicle.

So may be look at a bar that joins the 2 arms of the A frame then mount the system on top of that rather than have it sideways on just one of the A frame arms

[Mace]

There was a real good thread 12 months or so  ago that someone put up with a similar unit with a mount on the side of the trailer at the rear, but i couldnt find it. Even had video of the unit in action.  It was stored away, and clipped onto the side when required.

From memory, it was placed there as it was close to the gas bottles and required less plumbing. It was on the side of the trailer opposite to where the tent opened. Having it there may give a bit more privacy, instead of being up the front of the CT.

[Bart@Joolca]

All good things to keep in mind.

We want to make sure that when there are already other items on the A-frame (ie. bikes, lpg bottles, jerry cans, etc) that you could still be able to mount our unit up.

@ Paulo

That seems like a good idea, something to try and integrate into our design.

@ chester ver2.0

Thanks for the heads up. We'll need to make this really sturdy, wouldn't want it to fall off or get damaged!

@ Mace

We will be on the hunt for the video...

Bart

[briann532]

This is what we used to have.





It worked for a while then we added a toolbox so it got moved to the side of the toolbox.

Now we have this setup............



It works really well for us.

Now before anyone goes on the rant about an enclosed hws etc etc.....

Yeah I know, that's why its in a sealed hatch with the gas turned OFF, and also has a gas monitor, carbon dioxide sensor, and glass break fire extinguisher.
Its also flued away from the camper and I'm happy that I've taken all precautions for a unit that gets used for a few minutes at a time.
I respect your opinion, but please respect mine.

Brian

[Renno]

This Thread has a couple of dodgy pics of how I mounted my HWS. Since then I modified it so the pole could be removed, basically I cut it off at the a frame and had another smaller diameter length of box tube welded in. Found it to be a neat simple solution. I used the tap of the front of the camper and onboard tank/pump.

Renno

[6knights]

Can you give us a photo of the back of the unit so we can see what there is to work with as far as mounting points go?

I was looking into one recently (for shower only) and my thoughts was to mount two hooks to the back of the unit and hang it on the bull bar when needed that way I get 12v power off the tug and it also keeps the water runoff away from the campsite, it would be stored in the trailer when traveling.

I know it's not A frame related but just another thought

Trevor

[Bart@Joolca]

@ Brian

Liking the set up a lot, looks neat. We want something bit more universal though, just for packaging and shipping purposes.

@ Renno

Awesome! That is basically what we were thinking about. Did you make the cover yourself? Was it waterproof?

@ Trevor

I'll throw up photo of the back in a bit. Good point haha. That's not a bad idea, do you think you would use the hooks for any other type of mounting beside the bull bar? We're also getting a carry bag in for the unit so people can have it packed away and then take it out when they need it. So, this is something for us to think about too. Thanks!

[Renno]

@ Renno

Awesome! That is basically what we were thinking about. Did you make the cover yourself? Was it waterproof?

Had the local canvas guy whip it up out of vinyl. Cover was waterproof and protected when stored in the front toolbox and when camping when not in use. Was simple but worked really well.
Renno

[Bart@Joolca]

You beauty.

[6knights]

I'll throw up photo of the back in a bit. Good point haha. That's not a bad idea, do you think you would use the hooks for any other type of mounting beside the bull bar? We're also getting a carry bag in for the unit so people can have it packed away and then take it out when they need it. So, this is something for us to think about too. Thanks!

I Was thinking some hooks around 55mm wide that way it would be quite universal being able to hang it on the bull bar , on a trailer A frame or even on the rear tailgate of the trailer where the sink is, it would also be useful for those who travel without trailers, like roof top tenters or  swaggers,  that way they could hang the unit on a fence or some other convenient location.

Just a few of my thoughts as we don't always have our trailers with us when out and about.

Trevor

[Bart@Joolca]

Here are images of the back:



(This is the small mounting tube on either side of the unit)



We are actually going to be supplying a small stand with the unit (still in production phase so its not ready just yet).

Do you think that there are any plus sides for using the universal hanger as opposed to the stand? With the stand you can literally place the unit anywhere, though, was there a time you were at a location where you know you'd have difficulty using a stand and where a hanger would have been perfect? We like to consider all options just to make the best solution.