A trailer’s A-frame plays an important role in providing towing support and stability. But, that A-frame structure doesn’t have to be wasted space. It can serve a secondary purpose as valuable storage space. In this post, we look at trailer A-frame storage options that can help maximize space and efficiency.
What Is a Trailer A-Frame?
A trailer A-frame is a triangular structure at the front of travel trailers and utility trailers. It provides stability and support when a trailer is being towed. This means that the A-frame plays a critical role in safe towing. And, of course, the front of the triangle is where the trailer connects to the hitch ball on the tow vehicle.
This strong frame can serve a dual purpose as a support for a variety of storage options. But it’s essential that the ratings for the trailer hitch weight and/or the capacity of the towing vehicle are never exceeded. We suggest checking out our posts on tongue weight and trailer sway control for more information.
What Can Be Stored On a Trailer A-Frame?
Most campers value any extra RV storage space they can get. We’ve posted before on storage options like RV bumper racks and rooftop cargo boxes. But some items may be reasonable to store on the A-frame of your travel trailer as long as their weight is within limits.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The further forward you store weight on your trailer, the more you’ll be adding to the tongue weight being applied to your towing vehicle via the hitch. Too much weight and you could exceed the capacity of: your hitch, the hitch receiver, the payload capacity of the towing vehicle, and/or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) of the rear axle of the towing vehicle. Not to mention that you don’t want to have more than 15% of the gross weight of the trailer (what it ACTUALLY weighs, not the GVWR) on the tongue to avoid problems with trailer sway.
So, whatever you plan to store on your trailer’s A-frame, be sure that it won’t cause you to exceed these limits, as that could put you in danger. Check out our post on understanding towing limits for more information on this topic: Towing Capacity Is BS! The REAL Limits You Can’t Afford To Ignore
Let’s take a look at what types of things can be carried on a trailer’s A-frame.
Storage Boxes/Cargo Carriers
Trailer A-frame storage boxes and cargo carriers are designed to be mounted onto a trailer A-frame’s structure. Storage boxes come in various sizes, shapes, weights, and materials. They’re great for storing camping gear or can be used as a tool box. They’re the perfect place to keep outdoor/dirty equipment like hoses, leveling blocks, firewood, etc.
Different types of A-frame trailer storage boxes can be mounted to carry generators, as could a trailer A-frame storage rack. The key, of course, is to be sure your box or rack is very securely mounted and that your trailer tongue can safely carry the weight of a generator and its fuel.
Following are several A-frame trailer storage ideas. Looking at these options, we can’t overstate the importance of choosing a carrier that keeps your rig within the limit of your trailer tongue’s weight capacity and all maximum weight limits when full of your gear.
Let’s look at some trailer A-frame storage options that can increase an RV’s storage capacity. The first four are different versions of trailer A-frame storage boxes. Available in various weights and sizes, they can all be mounted to a travel trailer’s A-frame.
- TRUCK TOOL BOX: Get Increased Durability In A Lightweight Package; Shut Out Weather And Theft With The Molded, Double-Wall Hinged Lid; Rugged...
- SPECIFICATIONS: Lightweight Construction For Easy Mounting To The Front Of A-Frame Style Trailers; Chest Helps Protect Your Equipment With A...
- STORAGE SPACE: The Trailer tongue box mounted on the trailer tow tongue not only keeps all your tools organized, but also makes efficient use of space...
- DURABLE: This truck toolbox is constructed with high-density aluminum and non-slip surface while being highly resistant to oxidation, ensuring it...
- - Our MaxxHaul Trailer Tongue Box is designed for mounting on trailers with A-Tongue frame to provide extra storage for your tools, camping gears,...
- - Made from durable and corrosion-resistant light-in-weight 15 gauge aluminum material with fully welded seam construction and rigid powder coat...
- ENHANCED SECURITY: The Stromberg Carlson Gen Secure Generator Box provides robust anti-theft design, ensuring your generator and stored items stay...
- VERSATILE TRAILER COMPATIBILITY: Designed to fit seamlessly on trailer trays, this generator box adapts to A-frame and 4" square bumpers, making it a...
Following is an option that mounts to a trailer A-frame to serve as a “trailer tray.” It has a steel tray that can sit over propane tanks or a storage box mounted to the A-frame. It can carry safely secured items like a box of camping gear, a cooler, or even a small generator. Again, keep those all-important weight limits in mind!
- STABLE A-FRAME MOUNT: Stromberg Carlson CC-255 Trailer Tray attaches to the A-frame of your RV, positioning gear over the softest riding area of your...
- HEAVY-DUTY BUILD: Our cargo tray handles up to 300 lbs of gear, giving RVers and campers more room for bulky equipment. Use it as an A-frame mount...
Bike Racks
For travelers who enjoy biking, A-frame-mounted bike racks may be an option depending on the type and weight of the bikes. Some models of A-frame bike racks can even store bikes above other A-frame storage, such as propane tanks or cargo boxes.
The first two below are from the Let’s Go Aero series, the “Hitch It” and the “Jack-It.” Made by Lippert Manufacturing, they’re lightweight and connect securely to the A-frame of your travel trailer to hold two bikes. Note that each of these bike racks has an 80-pound weight capacity, meaning that your bikes need to weigh less than 40 pounds each (that means that they can’t carry something like a single electric bike that weighs more than 80 pounds, which some do… our awesome RAD Power Bikes weigh 75 lbs each).
- VERSATILITY - The Hitch-It mounts to the trailer tongue tube of cargo, utility and boat trailers
- PROTECTS BIKES - Foam bumpers and the new SwayControl system enhance the rack’s natural stability and protects the bicycle finish
- VERSATILITY - The Jack-It mounts over the tongue jack and attaches directly to you A-Frame trailer.Fit Type: Universal Fit
- MORE SPACE - Frees up space for additional cargo on the rear of the trailer where bikes are typically stored
The following two bike racks are from Futura GP, a Canadian company. Note that the first rack has a carrying capacity of 80 pounds, while the second can hold 120 pounds.
- The kit has been manufactured and designed for the world of trailers and cars
- The limited lifetime warranty of a quality product / 60 days satisfaction guarantee
- High Load Capacity: The Futura GP is designed to support a significant weight, accommodating up to 120 pounds (approximately 54 kg) or 60 pounds...
- Flexible and Practical Mobility: The Futura GP stands out for its easy transferability between different vehicles like RVs and cars, ideal for...
Propane Tanks
Propane tanks are some of the most common items found on the A-frame of a travel trailer. This is how owners carry the propane for their stoves, heaters, water heaters, and RV fridges. Travel trailers often come with specialized brackets and tanks that are designed to fit securely on the A-frame, allowing for the exterior storage of propane.
- Protects Your Dual RV Propane Tanks: Shield your propane gas tanks from flying road debris and harsh weather with this durable and reliable propane...
- Compatibility: Designed to fit two 30 lb steel propane tanks, this RV propane tank cover is perfect for all types of recreational vehicles.
- Our one set propane tank mounting rack can hold up two 20 or 30 or 40 pound tanks securely with different connecting pipe
- Our propane tank cylinder Rack Included bottom tray, vertical bar, securing LP wing nut, connecting bar and three different sizes connecting pipes.
Battery Box
Another item often found stored on a travel trailer’s A-frame is a battery box. These typically hold one or two deep-cycle house batteries that provide DC power to the RV’s electrical system.
Some travel trailers come from the factory with battery boxes built onto the A-frame. You can also install your own battery compartment in this area. Just ensure your batteries are well protected from the elements and the box is well secured to the A-frame.
Also, if you build your own battery box, you may need to provide appropriate venting, depending on the type of battery. (AGM & lithium batteries don’t require venting like flooded lead acid batteries do.)
Temperature may also be a consideration for battery placement. For example, lithium batteries that don’t heat themselves can’t accept a charge when it’s below freezing. If you plan to RV in the winter, you may want your batteries installed inside the RV’s heated space.
- Box Holds: (2) 6V Group GC2 batteries or (2) 12V Group 24/24M batteries
- Inner Dimensions: 21 ½-inches (L) x 7 3/8-inches (W) x 11 3/16-inches (H)
- Mild Steel
- Powder coated (Baked) Finish
- 【Material】- Heavy duty battery box is made of stainless steel metal material, sturdy and durable, waterproof and sunscreen, fireproof.
- 【Exclusive Design】- Handles on both sides; The upper cover can be locked (send a lock); Multiple reserved holes are protected by rubber rings;...
Trailer A-frame storage options offer an extra way to maximize storage space. Just be sure to pay attention to staying within (or below) all weight limits, balance your load properly, and regularly inspect your A-frame storage solution and the gear stored on or in it.
While we’re on the topic of storage, this video about managing the gear in the basement of our former motorhome may have some tips you hadn’t thought of before:
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Mark L. Torrey
Wednesday 15th of October 2025
I not a big fan of additional A-Frame weight. On my particular TT unit, with front storage/garage and rear kitchen, the weight distribution is fairly constant as these space typically hold those items that remain on/with the TT from a trip readiness perspective.
I would be a fan of additional anti-vandalism or theft prevention measures of the manufacturers A-Frame mounted propane tanks and battery box.
If you've not done an article in this idea, one would be appreciated...
Thanks for sharing your valued wisdom and experience!
M&M
Greg Gaul
Monday 14th of October 2024
I had the Let's Go Aero "Jack-It" bike carrier on my trailer. Earlier this year, while carrying two bikes attached to my A-frame (total weight of bikes was 60 lbs.), the Jack-IT failed. I had installed it as per the manufacturer's instructions. Regardless, the metal Y-shaped "Stinger," aka "Base," which is supposed to support 80 lbs., inexplicably bent backward at about a 45-degree angle. That caused the rearmost bike to bang repeatedly against my trailer's aluminum roof, permanently damaging it. Appears to be a design flaw and/or manufacturing defect. The failure also caused serious damage to the A-frame storage box that houses my propane tanks (interesting, since your article is about A-Frame storage.) That cost me $1,150 to replace. I didn't pursue seeking repair of the damaged roof, but neither Let's Go Aero or Lippert stood behind their product and refused to reimburse me for the storage box damage, or even offer to replace the Jack-IT. When I asked one of the owners of Let's Go Aero (the one who designed the Jack-It) how he proposed to solve the problem, his response was that he didn't have a problem . . . that I had a problem. If I wanted a replacement, the only option provided was that I could send them money for the cost of their improved version. WOW, talk about arrogance and poor customer service. I guess they do not value their reputation. Needless to say, I would not recommend purchase or use of the Jack-IT. The Jack-IT has a history of prior metal and weld failures. To see more on that, and my personal experience, see: https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/14604/jack-it-bike-rack-experience
Warren G
Monday 14th of October 2024
Although we carry our bikes in the back of our truck, I think the bike racks over the A frame would have a lot less bounce motion and stress. The only caution is to be well aware that this is adding to the tongue weight on the truck. Watch this if you’re close to the truck’s payload capacity.