straping items to the hood?

So, I'm in the early planning phase of a trip in my old Willys that will be at least 1/2 way across the US, and possibly all the way across from coast to coast and back. It'll be mostly 2 lane highways and back roads, no interstates (can't drive fast enough for that, and it would be boring that way anyway).

Space being very limited in an old jeep (mine is a 1946), I've been trying to think of ways to carry stuff other than behind the seats in the tub. I'll be building a wooden case to rest on the front bumper, for example.

I purchased a new tent because mine is getting old, and it's not very quick to setup and take down. The tent I purchased is a "Tent Cot", which just folds out and is practically ready to sleep in instantly. However, it doesn't collapse very small, it's basically 3x3 feet and 6 inches thick when collapsed. Well... that sounds about perfect for resting on the hood!! eh?

Then I got to thinking, well, there's still space on the cowl of the body just infront of the window, I could probably put an under packed army GI duffle bag up against the windshield on the cowl, and angle the folded tent-cot against it. I think it will be perfect! Not much loss of visibility, and my two largest objects that I need to carry are taken care of with no loss of space in the tub. If my thoughts are correct, the weight of the duffle bag is on the cowl, no problems there. And the other end of the tent cot is resting right above the grill, so the grill takes the weight there. Nothing putting weight on the center of the hood.

Strapped down well with a few ratchet straps, I think it will work nicely.


So, that leads me to the question of, "is this a good idea?" How warm/hot will the hood get after hours of driving and everything is up to constant operating temperature, and how will the hood take to the extra weight?

Any thoughts, comments, or concerns?



Not my photograph, but here's what the tent cot looks like folded up. Perfect for the hood, eh?

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

Sounds ok, just hope you dont need to open the hood for some reason

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

Try putting it up there. See if the hood sags.

I know my hood would "pop" in if I tried that with how much those tent cots weigh.

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

And here's the mock up. Blue is the windshield glass, Green is the duffle bag, and red is the tent cot. The angle of the tent cot is probably as high as it would ever be, I anticipate that it would actually be lower, but for this image I've made it about as high as I think it would ever be. I wouldn't stuff the duffle bag completely full.

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

Picture helped me alot. seems like a good setup now but id be paranoid if i drove like that. Scared of somethin blowin off. P.S. Like the Jeep

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

Cross Country?..................I don't think so. First Cop that see's your obstructing your view forward will ticket you and or make you move it.................ever think about towing a small trailer? I think that would be your best option.

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

I don't think it would obstruct that much. The blue line is where the windshield is. I don't think the tent would block a while lot more view than the actual hood would? I guess I need to actually set this up for real to see how much visibility is actually lost. But didn't old land rovers mount the spare tire on the hood? Or the other alternative would be (if it does obstruct to much) just to leave the duffle bag off and mount it elsewhere, so that the tent cot lays flat on the hood/cowl. I don't think there would be any visibility lost that way. But, then the hood would be holding more of the weight.

A trailer, man that would be perfect, and I would love one! But, I don't have anywhere to keep one :-( I live in an urban area, I can't even fit a jeep into my garage with all the junk I have in there, and I wouldn't want to leave a trailer parked on the street taking someone elses parking spot.


Here's the scenario with no duffle bag on the front:

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

I say go try it tomorrow. I don't see it being an issue vision wise. Old Rovers did the hood mounted spare, and you have a lot of space before the actual w/s glass, but nothing is for sure until you try it.

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

Yep! The tent cot arrived 2 days ago, I've just not had any daylight time to give it a try yet. This weekend I hope

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

Cops ............ BIG PITA if you know what I mean. one time me and uncle drivin through Cali. in an old 1942 Kenworth haulin timber that smoked a bit and ficken cop tried to give him a ticket because some bull about the load limit something he never heard of. (veteran trucker)

Could you put the bag in the back of the jeep or put the tent up top on the soft top?

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

Yea, up on top was my first thought on where to put the tent. It would probably work out just as well up there. And actually, it would be easier to strap down as well.

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

Ha had to use my brain to think of that one ,but just as a person who did that before ,but had some bags of corn not a tent. no difference really just feed not housing.

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?


You would likely need a piece of plywood to do this on your cage, but it does keep stuff out of the way and secure. I use ratchet straps.

I would be a bit uneasy strapping anything to the hood and like to keep the radiator completely clear. Maybe a simple rack coming off the rear cross member and tailgate slots would be a better solution.

Is this the diesel powered rig?

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

Yeah. Law enforcement would be on you like bees on honey. They tend to pick on anything that is not "original equipment."

How about a small u-haul trailer? Or buy a cheap mini trailer from harbor freight and sell it again later?

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

Good on you for making a trip like that! Sounds like a great adventure. Make sure you hit the National Parks- best thing this country has ever done.

How many people are going? If just you, you should be able to fit it all in. More than that- I go along with the guys saying get a trailer, used or new. Just buy it shortly before going and sell as soon as you get back. Take the title with you in case you find along the way that you would prefer driving without it and you can sell it anywhere.

You run out of room in a hurry with a jeep. I use GI duffel bags both in and out of the jeep when I pack it up. The fender wells are your friends- load them up to the top and secure against the roll bar. Might need to have a side view mirror to be legal. I also generally place something in front of the radiator, down low across the frame. I bolt a piece of wood there for support. Not sure about that tent; if it fits, I'd keep it inside. Too much outside the jeep gets to be a PITA and unless you're going for the Grapes of Wrath look, is going to appear kind of low rent. And then there's rain...

The CJ2A page had a thread going on how far people have driven their 2As. You'll win the contest after a trip like this.

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

Do you have a receiver hitch? How about one if those racks that go into the receiver.

 

Re: strapping items to the hood?

throw the cot on the hood it will be fine! might even help a bit with your areodynamics. i wouldnt put anything on the roof for that reason. and handling and crosswinds are amplified with stuff on the roof. you better bring some sort of top and doors. the world outside of LA isnt all blue skies and bright sunshine. dont try and tough it out. itll ruin your trip. some kind of hitch carrier is definatly the way to go over a trailer. you dont want to huff around that extra weight and wheels if you dont have to