Did the same as drtrox,but used expanded metal for flooring,really cut down on the weight.
Also put levelers on each rear corner so it wouldn`t be so wobbly.
My basic frame was bought at Harborfreight(extended load frame)for $29.Plugs right into the receiver hitch.
Do you leave the porch on while traveling?
Yes it remains on while traveling. No problem!
Does it bottom out on bumps or hills?
I have never bottomed out the porch itself, but I did drag the equalizer hitch head when towing a TT.
Is it legal?
Yes it is legal. It is within the allowed projection length for not needing flags on it and I do have reflectors on the rear corners of it. The concern with rear projection is how far it sticks out beyond your tail lights. Adding lights on the rear of it would negate this issue completely. My only concern with the set-up I have now was the visibility of the license plate on the trucks bumper. I solved that by building a "see through" step.
If you used the new plastic type of decking boards would it weigh less?
I couldn't tell you, I have not compared weight of the two products. I do like the wood though because I screw down or bolt down many items to my porch and I have reconfigured the layout many times to accomodate different campers.
Is it only attached to the truck by the receiver hitch? What stabilizes the sides if you have weight on them?
Yes it is only attached to the 2X2 receiver hitch. No other stabilization is used and although it does move slightly if you walk from one side of the porch to the other, it does not move around at all going down the road.
Could this work on a 11.5 ft camper that extends past the end of the truck?
Yes it could work on a bigger camper. The largest camper I used it with was a 10' camper, but I don't have pics of that. I've attached the url for a pic of the porch on my 02 (with an 8' pop-up on a short bed). BUT... the farther you push it out the back the more likely that you will drag it.
Hope this helps.
*This Message was edited on 22-Jun-03 08:00 PM by drtrox*
1999 NORTHSTAR 8 Laredo SC on a 2003 Dodge 3500 SRW 4X4 with a Cummins and 48RE
Great pictures. If I can find an extension long enough to get my reciever out from under the camper, I'm going to try making a porch. I think it will serve many needs.
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