Spare Tire Holder on a 16' UHaul Vacationer

[Kevin A]

We just purchased a 16' UHaul Vacationer and would like to have a spare tire in an easily accessible place. Where do you store it? Is there a setup that would hook to the back bumper rather than mounting it on the back wall of the trailer? Could it be stored under the back of the trailer like under our van? (I posted this on the UHaul site and no one has replied in over a week.)

[Rob S.]

We just purchased a 16' UHaul Vacationer and would like to have a spare tire in an easily accessible place. Where do you store it? Is there a setup that would hook to the back bumper rather than mounting it on the back wall of the trailer? Could it be stored under the back of the trailer like under our van? (I posted this on the UHaul site and no one has replied in over a week.)

Kevin there are all types of bumper mount carriers for the spare. JC Whitney carries several. The link below should take you to one that bolts on with square U-bolts and has a lock pin that allows you to pivot the tire down so you don't have to actually lift it up onto the mount.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product...0001517/c-10101

Good luck,
Rob

[Kevin A]

Kevin there are all types of bumper mount carriers for the spare. JC Whitney carries several. The link below should take you to one that bolts on with square U-bolts and has a lock pin that allows you to pivot the tire down so you don't have to actually lift it up onto the mount.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product...0001517/c-10101

Good luck,
Rob

Thanks for the suggestion. The problem I may have is that the UHaul trailer has a larger back bumper than 4 to 4.5 inches as required by the Whitney carriers. I'll look around for similar carriers that may fit bigger bumpers.

Kevin

[Per Walthinsen]

Kevin:
Our 2000 Burro 17' has what I think is a very satisfactory setup, one that is not even on the (1999?) model shown on their eternal website: A 2"x4" piece of box steel (actual dimensions) has been welded to the rear edge of the bumper, sticking up 24" from the bumper. The spare wheel is then mounted to it. You can hardly see the vertical piece with the tire on it.

It seems very satisfactory to me because it is an extremely sturdy, bulletproof construction. It avoids entirely mounting anything to the fiberglass, which to me is an invitation to leakage and failure. I can take a picture of it if you like so you can see if it could be applied to your trailer.

[Brian B-P]

If the bumper is not too tall, but is too deep (front to back) the ACAR carrier would just need longer U-bolts. If you can't finder longer at a hardware store, a spring shop might have them, or you could bend your own from threaded rod. Just a thought...

[Gina D.]

the bolt thru the body arrangement was one of the places that seemed well secured on my 13.

Never had a leak there, and it was 27 years old when I parted with it.

[Kevin A]

the bolt thru the body arrangement was one of the places that seemed well secured on my 13.

Never had a leak there, and it was 27 years old when I parted with it.

Here are the pictures showing the back bumper. It is quite tall, but about the same width as on our Burro. I think the suggestion to weld on a holder is probably best. Does it have to be braced or does the weld along the box steel do it all? I would worry about it swaying while traveling.




Sorry! I don't know how to get these pictures to include the "Click to Enlarge" option. Any help?

[Brian B-P]

...Sorry! I don't know how to get these pictures to include the "Click to Enlarge" option. Any help?

If the photo is small enough (as measured in pixels) the forum software just shows the whole picture. If the photo is larger, it shows only a "thumbnail", with the full photo a click away. Kevin, you photos are just small (96 by 72 pixels); if you have them in higher resolution (bigger files), choose those and they'll appear they way you want.

[CindyL]

Here's some larger pictures. Thanks for the info on posting, Brian.

CindyL (Kevin's wife)

[Rob S.]

I see what you are talking about. Since your bumper is a formed steel bumper as opposed to a boxed bumper, I would go ahead with the JC Whitney type and drill holes right through the bumper and instead of the U-bolts use Stainless bolts with large washers.

Another possibility is this one which will handle up to a 5" bumper. If that is not enough you could buy some Galv. angle iron and make custom fit ones and then bolt the carrier to the angle iron using short bolts and locking nuts.

http://www2.northerntool.com/product-1/1083.htm

Anything is possible. If you saerch the treads there are a few that have bolted the tire to the frame under the propane and battery on the tounge but you'll just need to make sure you tug can handle the weight.

[Brian B-P]

I like Rob's idea of bolting directly through the bumper.

The alternate mount from Northern tool looks well-constructed, but my concerns would be with how far back this holds the tire, and with ground clearance. This type is normally used with small tires mounted on the side of a tongue, and if used on the rear bumper might be a problem in places where overhanging stuff can drag, such as some driveways. Maybe it would be fine... I guess actual dimensions would be required.