Making the Bigfoot BIGGER - give some feedback

[salamander]

While driving out on the water last weekend, I was struck with an idea: fishing from the bigfoot would be so much better with a small deck to stand on... and though I had a few ideas from there; this is the one I am thinking about trying out:


Something like this to throw on the rear hitch:



Something like this bolted to it; making sure to waterproof all attatchment points:



And you end up with a storage box on the back end of the machine which adds more floatation like a pontoon would as more weight is placed into it or onto it. Assuming you could get it sitting at just the right height so it couldnt submerge, maybe you could stand on it? Would be great for a fishin platform if that were the case.

[cory_Alaska]

The only issue I see with it is that you dont need any more flotation in the rear. It already sits too nose down in the water. I am working on some quick detachable floats to put on each side of the front for crossing the lake behind my cabin.

[Roger S]

He's got a 6, Cory, not an 8.

[artist1018]

I have that same set-up for my 8x8 Argo Conquest. I have the poly tool box for hauling extra gas cans. I only use the receiver rack on my unit. Great for fishing & hauling deer, pigs, coyotes & such so as to not have to wash out blood & guts from the lower tub. I added an extra receiver adaptor to mine & use it between my van & trailer when hauling the gas cans & keep it locked. Gas here in Michigan is $3.88 & up. (Liquid GOLD!!) I have the tool box attached with four hex self tappers that I remove when I need the fishing/hauling capabilities on the back of the Argo.

[GREASEMONKEY]

I got a $35 atv cargo rack from Walmart. It sits about 6" below the body line. That's good for me, I like the extra clearance because of how low the hitch sits!

[cory_Alaska]

He's got a 6, Cory, not an 8.

Are the 6x6's not as front heavy as the 8's?

[Roger S]

Well, yes and no. The extra 2 feet in the back of the eights makes them float higher in back and make them nose down in front when empty. It's not so much a front heavy 8 but a high flotation in the back 8. I think what Salamander wants is some room, there isn't much behind the seat of a 6.

[salamander]

update

Cory- As Roger pointed out, those extra couple feet of body length give much more displacement, add to that 2 more wheels and the 8's have a lot more float capacity than a 6. With an 8 you probably? have all the space you need, but if not- I don't see why this setup wouldnt work for a heavily loaded down 8 as well.

Roger, more room on the water is exactly what I am after. This setup if it works would provide a lot of extra storage freeing up all of the (not a heck of a lot) space left in the back of the machine for passenger(s). Instead of one person fishing in comfort, I could take another angler or depending on how much floatation I get out of the pontoon- maybe 2.

The last thing I want is to float the back end higher when the machine is empty. I'm aiming to have the rack sit an inch or two above the water with no load, and when a load is placed on the back end the rack would submerge entirely and the bottom of the pontoon/toolbox will go under a few inches. Increasing the load would increase displacement and floatation, leaving an ideal 6"-12" height for the top of the toolbox to be floating above the waterline.

Artist, any photos of your setup? Sounds a lot like what I have in mind; though I want that box on there permanently and waterproofed to float. Is the rack level with the hitch on your machine? When you say you use the rack for fishing- can you go right out and stand on it?

Greasemonkey- The hitch height is low- seems like a rack level with the hitch would be underwater a lot of the time. Have you floated with the rack on your Bigfoot and how high above the waterline is it?

[artist1018]

Yep, my rig sits level with the hitch. So, you fish with water shoes, or flip-flops. (I do have to do without when I use my trolling motor, Duh!!). What I do like is the ability to haul extra gas & keep it under lock & key & NOT in the back of the Argo & getting any leakage from gas down in the belly area to dilute the grease on the chains. Also, for you fellow hunters, it is an unbeatable storage area for you game you have bagged!! I have vent/drain holes in the bottom of the storage box to allow gas to drip out & to make it easy to clean out blood & body fluids from small game like phesant, rabbit etc.
I don't have any photos, however it is just like the pictures first listed in this post with a modification to the rack. Instead of the plastic plug on the opposite end of the receiver end, just align your hitch receiver mount & mark where to drill out so you can mount the rack to your tow vehicle & then hook up your trailer to the opposite end and, there you go, a little more distance between you & your trailer with a lockable storage unit for more gas or stuff! One thing to check is that your trailer wires & safety chains are long enough, if not, just extend both!!

[salamander]

Artist

Your rig description helped think through a few things for my project:

The storage box will not be permanently attached so the empty rack can also be used for game.

The rack will rise above the hitch height or ideally be adjustable as its too cold around here most of the year to be fishing with feet wet all day. Sitting at a height just above the waterline, the extra floatation would only come into effect when I put a heavy load in back or walk on the storage box.

The option to tow a trailer with extra storage in between makes sense, easily done.

The rack should extend far back enough so the trolling motor fits comfortably between the rack and the Argo.

I don't know why I didn't think of it before, but I am going to install some drain plugs into the storage box.

Thanks for helping me think this through. Hopefully prototyped by Sunday.

[GREASEMONKEY]

Greasemonkey- The hitch height is low- seems like a rack level with the hitch would be underwater a lot of the time. Have you floated with the rack on your Bigfoot and how high above the waterline is it?

It's a raised ATV rack. The rack it self sits about 6 inches below the argo body line, and it's very light weight. It's rated to hold 200lbs, I use it on my jeep from time to time.

[salamander]

so far so good

Though it looks a bit rough around the edges, keep in mind the budget so far: $20 for a pickup toolbox at yard sale. $55 for an ATV Cargo Rack Princess Auto. Roll of carpet tape $5. 12 sq. ft Indoor/outdoor carpet $6. $5 misc. hardware.






I drilled out the cargo rack and toolbox, siliconed and fastened with 1/4" hex bolts. Once I mounted it on the Argo, It seemed to be a bit too loose to be skid steering around with so for now I have put some ratcheting straps to use to stabilize the setup. Added a drain plug and carpeting to the toolbox.



Note here positive lead from the trolling motor attatched by wingnut to an extended battery terminal wired inside the body.



More space on the water.



Note the cargo rack clears the waterline by about 1" when I am standing in the back of the Argo.



This is the most important photo; showing my 200lbs standing at the back corner of the pontoon with everything sitting very balanced and level; the bottom of the pontoon and cargo rack are about 4" underwater; my feet are high and dry with the deck height standing about 12" above the waterline. Turns out the ratcheting straps have an unforseen advantage here; by the whole setup having a little bit of play, when weight is put on the extremeties of the pontoon it doesn't lever the Argo around as much as you would expect. I guess its sort of like putting on a really big ski boot- the ski doesn't react to every little twitch of the foot.



Best $100 I've put towards the Bigfoot so far!

[GREASEMONKEY]

That's the exact same rack I have! I like the setup, and it turned out well.

[yellowargo]

Very nice! I like the carpet, perfect for the wife to sun bathe on! I love it when a plan comes together...

[salamander]

amen.