Barn door strength

[stewwalker]

I got to thinking the other day and was wondering how much weight my suburbans bard doors can hold. I am thinking about hanging a jerry can holder off the back of the truck. I know it might warp the sheet metal without a solid plate backing the bolts but will the door hinges hold the weight? Has any one done this successfully before?

 

[Carlyle]

Are the hinges welded or glued? Some of the manufactures are gluing believe it or not and I would think that is a weak link. Then again, I've been wrong before...

 

[stewwalker]

I believe the hinge pins are tack welded into the hinge and the hinge is bolted to the body. That must be some strong glue!

 

[Revco]

I don't think I'd want that much weigh hanging off the hinges. A bumper mounted holder would just be safer. On my Suburban (that I sold last weekend) I was planning to build my own version of the TireGate HG Adventure Series that pins into the 2" receiver hitch, has a swing out spare tire carrier, and jerry can holder, or just build a custom rear bumper with the can holder/tire carrier.

I see you're from Kingsville, I was born there. :sombrero:

 

[stewwalker]

I'm trying to avoid the bumper swing out, but I guess thats the best way to avoid door and body damage over time.

Yep, studying wildlife management here. Unfortunately the only time I get to do any overlanding is when I'm in a top drive...

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Great thread here http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/95134-home-built-rear-rack-project

 

[Carlyle]

My spare hangs off my 1/4" steel bumper, truly the only safe way.

 

[shortbus4x4]

I don't know which would fail first, your door hinges or the sheetmetal. Sheetmetal is too thin without doing some re-enforcing on the inside of the door and Chevy door hinges aren't known for their strength. You will be much better off with a good bumper mounted system.