Wisconsin Tacomas and bad financial advice

Busy fab week. Got my 3/16 thick 1 3/4 DOM tubing back from being bent. Mitered them up and hard tacked them on. Tomorrow I will lay in the wet and take the whole assembly off so i can cut and miter the three cross tubes per side and weld the whole thing up solid. Also made a new rack to carry my water (8 2 gallon Rotopax water jugs or mix with 3.2 gallon gas cans) and propane. Still a swingaway but light and easy to use. Way up high out of the way for wheeling. My rear camera is still usable in the stock location. Happiness.

 

Speaking of wet have you tested your rotopax holder with those jugs full?

 

I stood on it and I am 250... That isn't likely to go anywhere; however, I am open to suggestions.

 

I'd say that's a pretty good test. Waters right around 8.3 lb per gallon, with minor fluctuations based on atmospheric density at temperature. So unless you're carrying close to 80 gallons back there... You should be fine

 

This rack was an attempt to not overbuild to the point of stupid. Easy to install, easy to use and cost me nothing but time and scrap... even had the hinge bang'in around.

 

Guessing that was your old truck? Is it also your new truck? And if the answer is no then what is wrong with you?

 

Blah blah blah all I hear is "New cars are overrated anyways...I wish I could be cool and get a Tacoma again"

 

OK serious question instead of just trolling Larry about vehicles:

I'm looking to build a DIY Prinsu-style rack for my camper shell and need some 5052 aluminum 0.25" x 3" stock. I usually like to source things locally if possible and it seems being in Kenosha should give me an advantage on that front, but I'm having a hard time finding anything around here. Closest place seems to be Metal Supermarket in Waukesha but they cost more than just ordering online and having shipped to my door (and that isn't even including my gas to drive to Waukesha). Frankly I think the online method will beat anything local so at this point more of a thought exercise in case I need materials in the future. Anyone have ideas? Feels like it should be easier to find and I'm just not searching properly...

 

Speedy metals is in New Berlin
McMaster-Carr is a good on line industrial suppy (they are the Amazon of industrial)

Mc master would also have the aluminum extrusion cross bars and hardware.

 

Always a mix of emotions returning to civilization - remote camping since Monday with family along the WI/UP border. Good times!



The 80 also performed logging duties of deadfall across the trail to camp. Made for great firewood!

 

Didn't know about Speedy Metals, thanks I will give them a call. I do know about McMaster-Carr and they were more expensive for a small order like this but I'll price them again.

 

Waukegan steel IIRC it's on belvidere & jackson.

 

Thanks I'll check it out. Google reviews all say they don't sell to public any more but I'll still give a call, close to my work anyways.

 

There's Alro Steel in Milwaukee also, forgot about them.

 

Cool didn't see them either. Interestingly they also have ABS plastic sheet which I need for things like a future amp rack and other custom mounting panels. Will give them a call, thanks.

 

If they don't ask them who does.

 

Please let me know who you end up going with! I need some more aluminum for my next camper project. Seems I buy from a different supplier every time