Add TONS of STORAGE W/ a Swing-Away Hitch Box!

[@imustloveit]

Aluminum box is the way to go. You can cook on it or even add a bike rack on top. I carry extra fuel on top.

[@mixflipextra]

I have a Sienna AWD limited...these vans are amazing when you put a hitch box and a cargo box on top. I can carry 7 people and 7 luggage's!

[@DaveOTG]

I failed to mention some clutch features: You can lock the swing in a 90 degree position to have it open to access the liftgate and just leave open (securely). Another thing I forgot to show: the swing in action with the box! But it works exactly the same--very smooth. One thing I noticed after a year is rust eating away at on the wire that holds the pin. Understandable after a year of being parked by the beach-- it happens. On the major plus side it's the perfect height and length/width for a kitchen counter. I love cooking on it. HTH!

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

You could probably replace the metal rusted wire with a cloth one 😊

[@JoeZyzyx]

I think I'd paint it white for more visibility at night, and/or could mount a set of trailer lights on back of it, and use the 4 prong plug from inside the van to a plug from the extra trailer lights mounted on the front, probably extend through a small hole drilled in back of the box. Some states might require lights for night driving at very back of whatever is hauled, just like a trailer is required to have.

[@ShazBookOwl]

Amazing swing away tool box. I reckon I could fit all that myself too. A tool box is a must. I have one on my teardrop camper. I carry fire wood, my battery is in there, I have tools, shovel, tarps, etc. So I know how handy one of those is. Great idea! Cheers and Thanks for sharing

[@DaveOTG]

100% so handy. I'm trying to fit some firewood in my too. Need to declutter 😂

[@carolinesroadhouse]

I can't thank you enough for this video. I've been looking for a less expensive storage solution after losing my apartment several months ago and now living out of my SUV. I've ordered this swing away hitch and have a box similar to yours in mind. Subscribed!

[@JimmieJohn]

have you tried making a bed in it?

[@carolinesroadhouse]

@@JimmieJohn no, but I'm sure there's room for a "body" If necessary lol 😂

[@JimmieJohn]

@@carolinesroadhouse LOL!

[@EZRider063]

So much better and cheaper than one of those plastic box ones. Thanks for the awesome video!

[@magnetpull7587]

Great thing, also doubles as a table if you're camping in nature

[@MegaKg9]

Thanks for sharing that was exactly what i was looking for

[@Texasishot105]

Great video... cool swing away.. I boondock and I'm tired of lifting my 65 lb powerchair into the back of my SUV. I need this with a cargo pan and fold up ramp before I continue on my travels... thanks for the ideas.🥰

[@sdnlawrence5640]

Thanks for this great review. I've been thinking about something like this for an Odyssey I just bought for my retirement road trip min camper.

[@jonathanbellows113]

Looks better than the $1900 Yakima EXO Swing Away Storage System w/ 2 Enclosed Cargo Carriers - 2" Hitches

[@BohoFreedom]

Nice video, great attitude. I look forward to following you.

[@yogibeer9319]

Awesome idea! I think I’ll try that setup on my rig, thanks!

[@MrMr123]

I dig it playboy, I work away from home and it’s a challenge to have stuff

[@gypsybelle4757]

Great video! Practical solution for everyday needs. Thank you!

[@gaypreator8547]

Plus a great cook surface.

[@DaveOTG]

10000000%

[@billiamc1969]

So awesome man...excellent job...Greetings from Baltimore

[@turfnsurf9367]

I currently have a hitch basket with action packers and 2 bikes on top(I am cheap). I would install a large roof top case and use the swing away for mountain bikes.

[@carolhewett3756]

This is a great idea. Not only extra storage but extra surface space for meal preparation or desk work. Old people use something similar for their scooters. So instead of a box you could put a bike and still have room for a propane tank and a small tool chest. It's cheaper than buying another vehicle just to get more room.

[@DaveOTG]

I use it as a kitchen counter all the time. Didn't plan on that but it's turned out to be a great feature

[@TS-rd7oy]

Thank you. This is exactly what I'm looking for!!!

[@lonestarlaurel]

What a great video - topic and quality. I love your build arrangement. Kudos! I still want to know about a source for those bed/couch cushion covers! If possible, would you do an episode on the lift, and include how certain changes affect😊 gas mileage?

[@silverrunner8687]

Smart!

[@usatrucking-f7w]

Wow that's nice I'll get one

[@bambicox3275]

So worth the money

[@SweetiePieTweety]

I like the way you think

[@lenagraham2093]

Thanks for posting!

[@josevelasquez6537]

Fantastic idea

[@chrisbarclay6127]

How about a solar panel on top of the box lid.....???

[@jekamobile777]

Hello, Dave. You did an incredible job with your Toyota minivan! Thank you for sharing the videos about your travels. It looks like you no longer have the van( I don't see it in your videos anymore). Maybe I missed that video where you are explaing this. Was there a reason for it? Are tired of scrambled room in the minivan? Also another question: what kind of spare tire you had and where did you keep it while you traveling. Thank you!

[@DaveOTG]

I needed more space to move around for full-time living and particularly to be able to stand and cook comfortably while being inside. I love cooking on my hitchbox (on the minivan) but not good for stealth. I do have another minivan I'm building out....spare underneath the chassis on non-awd versions of sienna

[@jekamobile777]

Thank you@@DaveOTG

[@jamesddean5759]

2:31 Boom!

[@andrebombardier3021]

Hi. Thanks for the videos. I have a van like your (Sienna 05) that I have also converted (still a work in progress) and you are giving me some good ideas. Near the end of this video we see what appears to be a wind deflector in the front of your roof rack. Is that what it is ? I made my own roof rack (with 5/8 tall uni-struts). Turned out really good but I have a small noise when i installed the front cross bar. I was thinking of incorporate some form of deflector in the front as a possible future project.

[@DaveOTG]

Yes good eye. It's a home made fairing

[@Vera-dc7my]

Very very cool. Can you show us how to build the bed?

[@DaveOTG]

Check out my bed video. Should have all the info you need! Thanks and safe travels!

[@johnsimpson8198]

That's sweet man, worth the money, that would help out so much, thanks

[@vagabonddeesadventures8491]

Great addition. Be well and stay safe. Waiting for the cooking videos. 😂😂

[@jokiejokes]

Works well on my lincoln mkz

[@laurenmorgan-outhisack6341]

What is the combined weight of the swing away and your tool box without anything loaded?

[@rs5570]

I like it a lot but what about putting that stuff on top if you won’t have the sports gear? Also, Is it secure where no one can break it w a sledgehammer? Can u insure it? Super sweet gear.

[@DaveOTG]

Anything can break with a sledgehammer

[@erikturner3180]

Great idea! Read all the comments but didn't see anything about how hot it gets inside the box in direct sunlight. Any idea about how hot it gets?

[@DaveOTG]

Only a few degrees hotter than ambient outside temp

[@debbiedebbie9473]

Thank you for this

[@manuelsaldana2730]

Genius!

[@jacksonhicks1869]

I like it. $200??? Im sold

[@laurajphillips]

Thank you!

[@johnc5937]

Did you think about mounting the box with hinge to the rear… Then sit on tailgate with the hatch up as you dig though the box in the rain?

[@DaveOTG]

Not really. I'm not in the rain often

[@uber2tuber]

Thank you for this vid.... what are the dimensions of the storage box you added please? I'm trying to figure out if the stowaway cargo box will work... it's 51 in long, and 21 inches wide and 24 inches tall? what do you think?? thank you so much.

[@DaveOTG]

Link is in description

[@MellowNomadicAdventures]

Hey Altlife, love this idea! I had a hitch installed in my Dodge Grand Caravan last year. Love the drone work! How long have you been flying? Much love from Kentucky! -Marshall ✌️💙😊

[@DaveOTG]

Hey Marshall, that's awesome I'd recommend this box for sure. Has really made minivanlife much easier. I've only flown my drone a few times. It's pretty easy. Love from Cali!

[@MellowNomadicAdventures]

@@DaveOTG Thanks for getting back with me! This week has been crazy. Hope you are well! -Marshall

[@samrecord]

How fast can you drive safely with this fully loaded? The warnings for the aluminum mounted rack says to stay below 55 MPH. Is this true?

[@DaveOTG]

Where'd you find that number? I drive normal with no issues.

[@goldwing987]

Very helpful video (thank you) Can you tell me how far it swings or how many inched from the center of the receiver to the closest point when swing open. Thinking of using on Ram Promaster with side hinged doors. Need to have doors open at least 90 degrees.

[@joseville]

Great video! Would it be feasible to mount a bike mount on the box lid? You'd probably have to take off the bike whenever you wanted to open the box, but do you think the box is heavy duty enough to hold the bike mount and light road bike (~20lbs)?

[@DaveOTG]

Absolutely and a great solution

[@wanderlostrvr2582]

Yep

[@fractalman8064]

Appreciate your list of great stuff for your van. You list Thule load bars, but not the feet (connectors to roof bars) which do you use? Thank you and keep going. I subbed!

[@jameshoffler2796]

Just subscribed ro to you bro great video

[@meowzic]

I want a stacked swing away hitch. You could have two stacked cargo boxes or a cargo box and cargo tray on top. I want a a tray for a small generator and for my diesel heater gas tank and a cargo box under that.

[@joseville]

Great idea! Have you made it work? And if so how? What kind of hitch adapter would you need?

[@karenrichey6074]

Now that it has been two years, what do you think of the swing away arm, box and ease of use? Do you use this all the time? What is the pros and cons?

[@DaveOTG]

Sold the van. New owner still uses it just fine!

[@wendydavies1301]

Wow, you could put your kitchen in there and get some gazebo sides and hang them around the open hatch and peg them down. It makes a room and a private space to shower as well. . This is on the edit. I never realised it was 2 years ago, oops1🤪

[@METalavera]

You still have the back up camera view?

[@FloridaNativeMike]

How much harder is it to swing the carrier out now that the box is there?

[@DaveOTG]

Easy

[@lizwith4]

How high from the ground is your tow receiver on your Sienna?

[@jaydse6929]

Excellent presentation Dave. Is there a part# for swingaway, as Amazon ($439.) asks for custom measurements? Thanks!

[@DaveOTG]

It's from a company called stowaway

[@1motorandy]

Have you had water accumulate inside the box? Maybe after a shower or driving while it's raining? A couple of people on Amazon complained of this. I was just curious how your box is doing. Thanks in advance for the response. Be well.

[@DaveOTG]

Personally I haven't had an issue. There is a seal along the opening.

[@tinapa7898]

looks great! How much clearance does the rear hatch have from the tool box when you open it

[@DaveOTG]

When the swing isn't out? About 18-20inches, enough to get some small quick items

[@tinapa7898]

@@DaveOTG when the swing arm is out. Thanks

[@DaveOTG]

@@tinapa7898 full access. Check my other videos where I have it out. When out, it locks at 90 degrees

[@HacknBuild]

I don't think the $350 price is very expensive. It would be hard to make it for less than that. The steel yard here charges $1.00/lb with a 100lb minimum. So if you were to try to fabricate this and didn't have any steel on hand you'd be looking at least $100 (product weight is 45lbs), probably more because you'd need to buy full lengths. Then factor in your time, powder coating, misc hardware. The box looks lice with your van, good choice!

[@DaveOTG]

💯

[@superblondeDotOrg]

The max weight allowed on the hitch of the minivan is only about 300 lbs at the hitch receiver. The swing arm extension acts as a lever which reduces max hitch weight allowed by up to 50% (so therefore, only 150 lbs max allowed); The swing arm itself weighs something (30 lbs?); The box weighs something (30 lbs?), so let's say, 150 lbs max - 60 lbs overhead = only 70 lbs allowed for gear in the box. 70 lbs may seem like a lot, but it allows less than 10 gallons of water. The box may be big, but it can't be filled with ANYTHING heavy. Isn't that correct?

[@DaveOTG]

Class III hitch = 650lb tongue weight

[@superblondeDotOrg]

@@DaveOTG the class designation is for the size of the ball, etc. it is not the hitch itself that is the problem, it is the van body connecting to the hitch which only supports the small weight because the hitch/carrier acts as a big lever arm. use the smaller figure (weakest point) to find the max. a bigger, beefier hitch/receiver will not increase this weakest point. call up etrailer customer service if you dont believe me..

[@keldonator]

Crazy this increased $80 in one year

[@davemenard5089]

That’s a cool setup but what about the safety pin at the pivot point? Can you access it? Seems like the box covers it up. ✌🏼

[@DaveOTG]

No issues

[@myrootsgraspNewsoil]

Hi Dave! Do you have a back up camera? Is it on top of the license plate of the minivan? Can it see behind the cargo carrier? I’m wondering how to make a back up camera for my minivan work with this cargo box? Ty

[@Thomas-fk6ep]

Looks good. Would that box be considered bear proof? It looks like a good place to store food while camping inside a vehicle.

[@DaveOTG]

It locks so I don't think a bear could get in. It's pretty sturdy

[@jacquelinejensen5360]

Will this work with newer vans or does it mess with the sensors across the bumper? How does it impact the backup camera? I think it's a great idea, better then a top carrier. Thanks for sharing it.

[@DaveOTG]

I'm not sure, but I'd imagine no just like it you were towing something shouldn't affect the sensors. No issue with backup camera depending on where the camera is mounted I suppose

[@offairhead]

This is what I hope to do. I already have a box. I realize this may be a dumb question but is this sturdy enough for you and someone else to sit on?

[@DaveOTG]

It actually is. I have a class 3 hitch rated at 650 pound tongue weight

[@powpow1080]

Dave, one item not listed in your info is what hitch lock you use..? I've been curious, if you don't mind sharing the link. Thanks for everything.

[@DaveOTG]

amzn.to/3gKNuTx

[@t04v7]

How is this holding up for you? I like this concept but it seems like the amount of torque that long arm creates would end up bending over time with use.

[@DaveOTG]

Zero issues. The hitch has a 650lb tongue weight capacity. It's not bending

[@julierehoric3856]

So I have a Ford transit in the door swing open like refrigerator door and a freezer door side-by-side instead of a hatch and I'm wondering if this is exactly level with the receiver so another words the doors could swing open up above it because my right hand door or passenger door opens first and then the drivers door so I wonder also if you can put this in upside down so it swing the other way

[@DaveOTG]

Maybe. Your latches would be upside down. That's the only thing I can think of

[@brrepublic8174]

Do these come in a driver swing side configuration?

[@DaveOTG]

Check their website

[@chadliggett286]

ALTLIFE Awesome Video Brother! I see you have roof box did you keep it?

[@DaveOTG]

So far yes. It's full of shoes 😅 I'm a recovering shoe beast

[@MegaBuddhaBelly]

What size bolts did you use to mount it to the swing hitch?

[@scottcamp7423]

Love the video . How deep is that box ?

[@DaveOTG]

The link is in the description directly to the box I used. thanks

[@jazy535]

hi Dave did you install Trasmission cooler after this JOR lift ? please let me know. thanks

[@DaveOTG]

I did not, but it's a great idea if you plan on towing or soft-roading a bunch

[@kielia727]

Just the washers keep this waterproof ?

[@Daveforaday]

1 1/4 or 2 inch hitch. I have 1.25 and worry about the 200 lb Max tongue weight.

[@kevintran1865]

Did your box block the backup camera?

[@andreawilhelm8207]

Does the trunk open when the box is on the hitch? It looked like it may get close...

[@DaveOTG]

The hitch swings away for full access. My rear hatch can do open about 20 inches of I need to grab stuff out quickly

[@kartboarder22g17]

How has the box been with rain? It doesn't apply to have a seal?

[@DaveOTG]

There is a seal. It's been leak proof in all kinds of conditions

[@jodystroup2925]

How much weight can that hold

[@DaveOTG]

The box itself is rated at 250lbs I believe and my hitch has a tongue weight of 650lbs

[@TurtleMyrtle12]

April 2023- Box alone is now $400 on Amazon. 😔

[@AnnieGill7]

Sweet! Thanks for sharing this valuable info. Why did you need the Thule load bars?

[@DaveOTG]

I have a cargo box up top as well

[@michaelrosauer8054]

We’re do I get it

[@DaveOTG]

Link in description

[@saltpepper1894]

put more reflectors on it.... its black ppl cant see it at night

[@Hindukushsailing]

👍👍🤘🤘

[@R2X2Z]

Thanks, but I wanted to see the storage swing away and see how it works accessing the tailgate..

[@fabreezem8174]

Hard to take you seriously with those glasses dude 😅.

[@civic2323]

Is the swing unit itself lockable

[@DaveOTG]

Yes in 2 different positions

[@civic2323]

@@DaveOTG sorry I meant to say is it lockable from the closed arm position and can I put a lock on it so no one can swing the arm out

[@DaveOTG]

Oh in that case, no it is not able to (lock with key) in position

[@skulledmonte84]

You also FAILED to show us the main feature of it swinging out with the box on that.....

[@demonhogo]

now it's $400 😩

[@brownbuter]

@ 1:15 .an inch is all you need, baby!'' she tells me that al the time

[@DaveOTG]

😂

[@ChefDuane]

Nice review but you give no dimensions of the swing arm or of the box. Also, no info on the capacity of the swingarm nor weight of the box. More specifics please.

[@DaveOTG]

All links in description

[@ChefDuane]

@@DaveOTG Sorry. I see the cargo box and the hitch carrier lock but nothing on the swingarm.

[@DaveOTG]

Stowaway 2 is what it's called.

[@ChefDuane]

@@DaveOTG Ah. Ok. So the Stowaway 2 has a max capacity of 200#. The box itself weighs 44# so the max cargo capacity is about 156#. But going with the 25# rule, the actual capacity is about 131#.

[@Dareall13Cd]

On Amazon it says the actual weight capacity of the box is 250lbs.

[@skapunkoialternativeliving6522]

Bull crap I make my own box for quarter of the price that box is crap I can't even put your propane tank in it

[@gabakusa]

you save it on rent ;-)

[@VanIife]

Can I have yours

[@DaveOTG]

Yeah sure

[@danhumphrey5755]

Why didn't you show us how it operates in the swing-out position? We couldn't care less about the crap you put in the box. We want to see how the swing-arm operates with the toolbox installed.

[@DaveOTG]

Bc I'm stoopid. But, I'm always trying to improve. Read the pinned comment

[@Ramnik72]

Stop buying stuff

[@DaveOTG]

ok