Yeah I replied once before but some of that is lost so I just post again trying to help.
In the case of the big one I have, without the rear brace I get a little movement when I close the door.
Designs with one arm extended out in space may not be steady and could leverage on the bracket being attached further out at the back.
This one I have was engineered for the forces to be in shear against the door. So far I have no issues with the hinges or the latch.
I even ran a 35 back there for awhile.
I think if someone fabbed up the bracket any basket could be fitted to save money. It seems that was the expensive part where I was having the skids made was curving the basket rails to look nice. That and labor to assemble it by welding. I would not trust bolting but did explore a couple of ideas along those lines.
The designer gave me written permission to produce this type but it was coming in at about $600 and shipping would best be done it two pieces.
He cut this one and built crates for the two and I had it welded back when I got it. Also added to the expense.
So I scrapped that idea.
I calculate my mileage fairly accurately and the only time I was concerned with fuel was a two day run in the Mojave. Driving in the deep sand really sucked up more fuel than I anticipated.
Since that time I found out there was a road out along the way where I could make a side trip for fuel, and a cheeesze burger!
This size may not be for everyone but it works for me. I mostly run a mid size ice chest on there.
You do the math, 5 gallons of water, 5 gallons of gas ice chest with drinks and food and ice. I don't remember the weight of the rack but it's heavy and solid.
So two cans of gas would of course be less but I would carry one water and one gas unless you really plan a long wilderness trip.
