Custom i-Venture Rack

[PbSlinger]

So, I've been dying for an over the spare "adventure rack" since I got the H3 Alpha. Don't have to tell you, finding an off-the-shelf version is pointless. :huh:<br>So, I didn't do anything about it for awhile. Then, on a hog hunt a while back, it became readily apparent I desperately needed one.<br><br> --An ice chest inside in the back is one thing, but this guy....

(Let's just say, I'm not too interested in Lyme disease...) :whaa:
So, I saw Hunner's adventure rack he bought from another guy who had fabbed up a hellacious rack. Got some smarter welding/mechanical eyes on it than me,....and he really didn't want to touch it, for the weight. It was going to be really really heavy, even before loading anything on it.

That's when I started thinking...and found a lightweight rack at Cabela's for an ATV hitch that was rated for 200lbs capacity, but with relatively light tubing. Then I saw Smittybilt's i-rack.

And, well, take a look. It's all tacked up and we did some adjustments and decided to add shovel and axe quick fists, and mounts for the Hi Lift.

You can see it's angle iron and box (tubing) steel, bolted to the i-Rack plate with massive bolts.
This is just the tacked up version, full welds, and finishing to come in the week or so. Stay tuned.

 

[06 H3]

Nice work. I really do like the I rack. I was looking at those to mount a shovel and axe. how do u like the irack?

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[Hans3T]

Looks like it will hold hogs with the greatest of ease. :cheers:

 

[ReconH3]

It does look great, but I would be concerned with the leverage it creates. Especially with the fuel containers full.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

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[Flash]

I like the top shelf a lot. The radiused round bar and all. Overall I am not seeing how easy/difficult spare access is. Looks difficult and time consuming to change a flat. Also looks like a fair bit of weight added to the rear door hinges - especially loaded. If I needed to carry that much weight out back - I'd likely look at a hitch rack or maybe even a trailer.

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

That looks sweet!:thumbs:

 

[PbSlinger]

Change a tire???!! Isn't that what AAA is for? You didn't think I was going to take this off road did you???
No, it's pretty simple. Pull the Gerry can, pull the hitch pin in the center, unscrew the tension wing bolt in the center and the whole thing comes off. Just the rack weighs about 25 lbs. Little involved, but no worse than some of the spare tire and equipment racks I was looking at for ideas.
As far as leverage, I am concerned about it, but you can see the counterbalancing we did. Weight is on the center post of the spare hanger, because of the i-rack design. But to keep it evenly distributed on that point (since that's the one point of hook up to the vehicle) the rack weight presses down on the top of the irack plate, and then the angled down tube creates an even amount of weigh distribution to the bottom of the plate. Now, if the whole spare tire carrier and door can't take it....I'll blame Hunner, since his pics of his rack loaded inspired this.:giggle: