Thanks hostile!
I like trying to over complicate things, but some times it just comes down to "I just need a strap between these, so i can mount this thing sticking out around here..."
i was wanting to do square tube, and notches, and bent flat stock. But it's not going to ever be heavy trailers, and either this is enough, or i'll throw another layer of brass plate when it comes off to clean up the forward edge.
Have you started converting your bus yet?
Also found this for adding more realism...
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/type2.php