Bottle Cage for Pickup Truck

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I mentioned in another post that I had built a cage to secure my bottles for transport and I was asked for pictures. I originally built it for 40 and 80cf bottles, but just this week-end I added  another 14" in length so I can carry my 125cf bottle. There is a chain that hooks into the truck bed hook and a stand-off that fits into my bedliner. I need to lengthen my safety chain for the 125cf bottle, but it locks around the neck of the bottle for extra security. It is very stable due to the downward pressure from the weight of the bottle keeps tension on the bed hook chain.I welcome any suggestions for improving the design, but it works well for me.  Attached ImagesBurt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:That looks very neat,I like it
Reply:I'll take your word its stable. To me with that high center of gravity, and only one securing point down low, it looks like it would go right over the drivers side with a hard turn. Now if you added a strap to secure the top of the bottle to the pass side tie down it would make more sense.
Reply:Hi, DSW.I agree with your post - "Now if you added a strap to secure the top of the bottle to the pass side tie down it would make more sense."I have not used it with the 125cf bottle yet, but it is very stable with up to 80cf. I plan to tie a nylon strap from the top to the bed hook on the passenger side with the taller bottle. Honestly with it mounted in the truck, I could not rock over by hand, but speed and inertia are better not left to chance. I think the stand-off is providing a lot of stability. It fits in the pocket of the bedliner where you can put a 2x4 across the bed.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:I would rather stick that in the passenger seat and seat belt it inEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:I like it.  But I would change the way it mounts to the truck.  Instead of a chain -- which is always going to have the potential to extend or at least distort -- why not make a steel connector to lock to the bed hook?    You could make it extend where it contacts both the side of the bed and the backside of the cab, and you could extend it, truss-style, up and down, so that there isn't the potential for the thing falling over in a sudden swerve or side impact.You could also extend the base out with flat stock to both the rear and the side to make it more stable.
Reply:Jack, Good suggestions. I will look at how to do some of those. The new 125cf bottle is more of a challenge than my 40 or 80 ones.Keep in mind, that I only drive about 3 miles on small town streets, so I'm not speeding down the interstate. Not that accidents can't happen, but I would do something different if I was carrying it around all day.I like it a lot better than trying to secure it laying down in the bed somehow. I also use it in my shop to secure my spare.I was hoping to see some other ideas. Maybe someone on here could come up with a plan that we all could use. Last edited by wb4rt; 07-28-2009 at 12:35 PM.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Is that thing bolted down anywhere?  If I was hauling a tank of any type I don't think I would depend solely on the chain holding the frame in.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I'm planning on one as a project for my 1983 Jeep, since I don't have a truck.  Yours gave me some ideas.