Spare Tire Mounting

[jack smith]

In the course of going over my "new" Scamp ("Sweet 16") I took off the spare tire and noted the black rubber stains as the tire had been quite "snug" against the body. After cleaning I readjusted so that there would be a slight space between the tire and the body... and noted that there would be some vibration when underway...

My question is: will this vibration lead to cracking of the fiberglass? Should I keep the tire snug against the body? Any suggestions or comments? What do you "experienced Scampers" do?

(If snug against the body the tire cover will not fit properly...)

[Jared J]

Originally Posted by jack smith

In the course of going over my "new" Scamp ("Sweet 16") I took off the spare tire and noted the black rubber stains as the tire had been quite "snug" against the body. After cleaning I readjusted so that there would be a slight space between the tire and the body... and noted that there would be some vibration when underway...

My question is: will this vibration lead to cracking of the fiberglass? Should I keep the tire snug against the body? Any suggestions or comments? What do you "experienced Scampers" do?

(If snug against the body the tire cover will not fit properly...)

If it's mounted through the fiberglass like mine was, do not let it wobble around. Mine cracked out anyway, although it's hard to know the history being almost 30 years old. I'm not going to have the spare mount on the fiberglass again. I carry two spares, so one would have to be in the pickup either way, so I'm just throwing both in there. Also, my spares are shared between my trailers so they move around, anyway.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by jack smith

In the course of going over my "new" Scamp ("Sweet 16") I took off the spare tire and noted the black rubber stains as the tire had been quite "snug" against the body. After cleaning I readjusted so that there would be a slight space between the tire and the body... and noted that there would be some vibration when underway...

Yes, it will shake all over the place when you hit bumps.

My question is: will this vibration lead to cracking of the fiberglass?

Yes

Should I keep the tire snug against the body?

Yes

Any suggestions or comments? What do you "experienced Scampers" do?

On my UHaul I made a tire mount to the bumper / frame

(If snug against the body the tire cover will not fit properly...)

Yep

[Donna D.]

Could you see the black marks when the spare was mounted? If NO, why worry about it? I know from reading all the forums that tires out gas, and that means black marks. Some have wrapped the tire in dry cleaning bags then reinstalled a spare tire cover. But my question becomes... what happens to that "gas"? Is more harm being done by trapping it?

Don't let the tire wobble... that would be worse than the stains that maybe you can't see when the tire is mounted.

[jack smith]

Well... guess I already knew what the answers would be...

... kinda a no brainer, actually. Thanks all!

[Donna D.]

Hey Jack, you have to ask the questions to either be verified or no go.... hope the responses helped somewhat

[chse]

I had the same thoughts with my 13'. The spare tire mounting really does not seem optimal. You can by spare tire mounts which attach to the bumper (check etrailer f.e.) the problem is that they mount the tire behind and not above the bumper.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by chse

I had the same thoughts with my 13'. The spare tire mounting really does not seem optimal. You can by spare tire mounts which attach to the bumper (check etrailer f.e.) the problem is that they mount the tire behind and not above the bumper.

Chris the problem with using the spare tire mounts that attach to the bumper is that Scamp really didnt build their bumpers to support much of anything. So if you have a tire attached to it could lead to some not so great issues down the road.

Jack my spare is mounted very tight to the trailer as well and getting the tire cover on and off can be a challenge as well. Have found putting it on at the top half first works the best.

[jack smith]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Chris the problem with using the spare tire mounts that attach to the bumper is that Scamp really didnt build their bumpers to support much of anything. So if you have a tire attached to it could lead to some not so great issues down the road.

Jack my spare is mounted very tight to the trailer as well and getting the tire cover on and off can be a challenge as well. Have found putting it on at the top half first works the best.

That's kinda how it was mounted when I took it off... after looking at the etrailer mounts... and my angle iron bumper... think I'll just put it back on like it was! However, as I'm typing this, am thinking of some sort of "spacers" double side taped on the body that would allow the tire to be snugged up tight... and still leave a bit of space for slipping the tire cover over the tire.... hmmm

Could beef up the bumper and build something... but not really wanting to go at this in such a "serious manner!"

[Carol H]

Jack are you saying your tire is mounted on the bumper and not mounted right onto the rear of the trailer with a couple of bolts that come up below the rear window? If so that must be a fairly new way for Scamp to be doing them.

[jack smith]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Jack are you saying your tire is mounted on the bumper and not mounted right onto the rear of the trailer with a couple of bolts that come up below the rear window? If so that must be a fairly new way for Scamp to be doing them.

No Carol, my tire is mounted as per Scamp: three threaded rods through the back of the body. I have merely contemplated changing to a bumper mount... but have pretty much ruled that out.

[chse]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Chris the problem with using the spare tire mounts that attach to the bumper is that Scamp really didnt build their bumpers to support much of anything. So if you have a tire attached to it could lead to some not so great issues down the road.

Jack my spare is mounted very tight to the trailer as well and getting the tire cover on and off can be a challenge as well. Have found putting it on at the top half first works the best.

Thanks for the warning- I thought it seemed pretty sturdy.
I guess another option would be a hitch receiver (I saw one at amazon) and tire mount - but thats a bit pricy... but I could put the wheel in the camper and mount some bikes if needed.

[jack smith]

Originally Posted by chse

Thanks for the warning- I thought it seemed pretty sturdy.
I guess another option would be a hitch receiver (I saw one at amazon) and tire mount - but thats a bit pricy... but I could put the wheel in the camper and mount some bikes if needed.

Doesn't the hitch receiver also mount to the bumper? The bumper seems fairly stout, but the fact that it is angle iron as opposed to boxed... therein I think lies the problem when it comes to clamping something to it...