rain gutter / side mount for traction mats?

[dhaavers]

OK...over the years I've only seen maybe one thread about side mounting anything (skis/boards as I recall) so I'm looking
for experience/details/tips/tricks as I start a similar project...

My application will be for a pair of CCTM's (Cheap Chinese Traction Mats) hanging from the rain gutter. Starting with $25
of bombproof eBay mounts (seller lists $60/set of 6; I got just 2 for $25):

Mounts: https://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-GUTTER-ROOF-RAC...2749.l2649

I like them a lot - they're VERY sturdy, mount up perfectly & well clear of the poptop. I'll strap mount the mats only when
I need them & add a security cable through the holes as backup in case of strap failure &/or temptation minimizer:

In this mock-up the mats are still pretty loose/floppy, so further plans include:
- hang a "J" bracket below the mounts for holding mats in place while strapping in,
- light cross-bracing to secure entire structure as a unit (which I suppose you'd call a "rack"...???),
- rubber padding where rack may contact sheet metal & to keep ANYTHING from contacting glass...
- "quality" rattle-can paint job all around...basic black.

I'm not a welder, so I'll be using probably 5/16 bolts & locking nuts. I figure the J-hook will be ~2" flat with a slot for the strap
at the bottom & the cross bracing will be small (maybe 1/2"?) angle stock. The mats weigh barely 11lbs, FWIW.

As mentioned, let me know if I'm really way off base with this...experience /tips /tricks /pointers /etc. greatly appreciated!

------------

CCTM info/not directly mount related...

FWIW: I picked up the mats just recently on sale... just $57/pair ...after seeing them very well reviewed on YT:


Link

eBay link, FWIW: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-Recovery-Traction-Sand...2749.l2649

Good enough for me...

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[candyman]

Nice! I am contemplating doing the same thing. Perfect timing and thanks for sharing

[DanHoug]

consider a suction mount on the glass to keep the mats from lifting at speed, and it would prevent banging. doesn't need to be weight bearing, just resist a pulling force.

https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Double-Suction-Windshie...&psc=1

those gutter mounts would be useful for carrying a variety of rilly long objects and have strength as long as the load can be inline directly below the mount or stopped from leveraging by the body/glass.

i've been stuck so many times this year snowplowing i'm looking at carrying mats in the truck. but i need something that can dip down into a hole created by a tire in snow.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[E1]

Cool, Dave!

Our sand ladders need a new spot, too. I'm leaning towards just forward of the vent, atop two to four stock cleats or similar, or at the very rear. To now they've always lived cozily in the luggage rack.

Tilt ladders forward for better front-end grip, or back for better liftoffs.
( )
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[rmcd]

Love Jeds stuff. Every van becomes a panel van.

https://campervanculture.com/shop/vw-t25-t3-vanago...d-mat-etc/
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VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight=

[dhaavers]

Thanks for the chatter, all y'all...

I really like the secure suction cup idea...I'll be working on that!

I settled on the side mount because in road trip mode our luggage rack is already full (propane grill,
camp chairs, spare gas) so I didn't want to try to cram the mats up top, plus I figure it'll be much
easier to unstrap from near ground level when the mats are actually needed...

Yeah, if I had the budget I'd spring for a system like the CVC blokes, but like I've said before:

...I'm CHEAP!

Updates to follow...

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[dhaavers]

Squeezed in a little time this afternoon...current mock up on the first side:

Rubber pads hold it all away from the window & the suction cup (when it arrives) will hold it down in place.

Currently sits about 1" clear of all sheet metal & glass. All about harmony...balance...yin/yang...whatever...

As always, comments welcome...

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[WestyWanter]

Think you could rig something up to connect to those mounts to do like a surfboard rack?

[dhaavers]

^^^ The mounts are very sturdy & it shouldn't be any harder than what I'm doing...I say go for it!

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[SSWesty]

Cool idea! How thick are those traction mats stacked?

[AZ Landshaper]

Ive seen a number of vans with the rear drivers side window removed and replaced with some panel. Not sure if its glass or metal or plastic. That window serves as no good to me, in fact its a bit of a nuisance at times.

That panel would provide a lot of use as a mounting board. Definitely don't want to hijack the thread so Ill look around. Interested in knowing how that's done (replacing the window). Might be an option for you too.
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85 Weekender w/ EJ22
Previously
64, 71, 72, 73, 76, 81, 84, 85 & 87 Campmobiles and Westfalias
and a 67 bug.

[dhaavers]

My Chinese mats measure up at 4" stacked (2 mats)...in comparison, the brand name looks to be about 2-1/2" or so...???

That's OK for me - I'm not a hardcore offroader, I just want these along for insurance once in a while...

I considered mounting on the back hatch but didn't really want to add the weight there, plus the side mount is
always easily accessible, plus didn't want to cover any more window than necessary (we like windows! ),
plus I'm cheap and didn't want to spring for a whole window-out replacement-panel mod, so here we go.

Would be great to see these other ideas...post 'em up!

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[Steve M.]

These gutter mounts I would prefer them to have a wider base. You say they work so that's good. Is there any rubber cushion under the feet to protect the base paint?
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

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[dhaavers]

You could easily flip over the tall part & have the wider end in the gutter, just need to drill a new hole for the clamp bolt.

I used some cheap edge trim to cushion the parts that touch the paint:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BKSGVWG/ref=twister_B00N9VG9WK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1



- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[kguarnotta]

this llooks great!

I'm looking for some way to carry skis, and I like the idea of right alongside the van. I like where you are going with this - please post more pics.

Am I correct in saying you have not put any holes in the body? It is a little hard to tell from the photos.
_________________
-Kevin
Lincoln, MA

'86 Triple Knob Syncro w/EJ22
'78 Westy
'69 Single Cab
'65 Kombi - EZ-Camper

[izzydog]

[elizer]

[dhaavers]

^^^ Bad link...

FIFY: khttps://www.vanagonlife.com/vanagonshop/rearvow



- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[elizer]

I dont know how internet

[erste]