Spare Tire Rack

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I know I can figure this one out, but thought I would see if anyone else had overcome this problem before I started to re-invent the wheel (or wheel carrier in this case).

I initially went from ST175R13s to ST185R13s tires because the 14's wouldn't quite fit (not enough clearance on one side). The ST185s were substantially larger than the ST175s, but I didn't bother to change the spare. When I upgraded my axle, I had 14's installed so I decided to get a 14'' spare. There is a tremendous difference in tire size and with single axle I think it would be asking for trouble.

I have a 16', '89 Casita. I knew that I would have to make adjustments with the bolts, but what I wasn't prepared for was the fact that it will no longer fit between the belly band and the bumper. Because of the weight, I feel it must be supported on the bottom. I can get over-the-counter bolt on racks, but they are made for 4'' square bumpers. I have the old style that is much smaller.

So, before I spend a lot of brain power, has anyone else come up with a solution that won't add to my already to much tail weight vs tongue weight? (No, there isn't room on the tongue without moving the entire propane rack.

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This will work. Or have a local welding shop make one the same dimensions but with heavier steel. I use one same style as this made from 1/4 inch steel on my utility trailer and it carries a 15 inch wheel


Cabelas:
Item: ID-015644
Price: $18.99

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3ea4739c7847fsparec.jpg/>



Trailer Spare Tire Carrier
Heavy-duty, welded, reinforced steel-plate construction lasts a lifetime. Carrier has 5" high offset that gives plenty of ground clearance. Fits four-and five-lug wheels. Carrier attaches easily to all trailers with tongues up to 3"W x 5"H. Locking hole to lock wheel and bracket to trailer. Not for use with 15" or larger wheels. Made in USA.
Available: black painted or Tuff plate finish.

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Thanks, Joe

That one is different from the ones I have seen.

I'm having a little trouble with the perspective of this picture. Does the bottom of the tire go below the bumper?

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offset carrier above:
I'm pretty sure the bottom of the tire would be way below the level of the bumper - and sticking out somewhat as well. I looked at these awhile back - I think they're usually promoted as spare carriers for boat trailers and are meant to be mounted off the front toungue.

Goofy alternative:
Has anyone ever tried (or even considered) mounting the spare up under the body of the trailer? I would think there would be plenty of room up under the dinette for a drop-down spare holder (ie truck-style). The only question would be if there's anything strong enough to hold it in that position. I'd be reluctant to bolt it through the plywood - but if there was a crossbeam in the right position it'd be great.
It would also clean up the rear area of the trailer for better looks.

Oh - also - don't know about the Casitas, but on my Boler - once I mount the spare on the back of the trailer, the bumper ceases to be a bumper (the tire sticks out further than the bumper in the back). So - if I were rear-ended (or backed into a tree or something) the tire would take the impact and direct the force straight into the glass body of the trailer. BTW - pretty much the same problem is true for ANY vehicle with a similarly rear-mounted spare. That's 9/10ths of why they end up rating so poorly in low-speed crash tests.

mkw

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"once I mount the spare on the back of the trailer, the bumper ceases to be a bumper (the tire sticks out further than the bumper in the back). So - if I were rear-ended (or backed into a tree or something) the tire would take the impact and direct the force straight into the glass body of the trailer. BTW - pretty much the same problem is true for ANY vehicle with a similarly rear-mounted spare. That's 9/10ths of why they end up rating so poorly in low-speed crash tests."

I have to agree with you there. I was actually considering getting some bumper "over-riders" mounted on my bumper to extend it out past the tire. Does anyone have any experience with such a thing?

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Mike - Believe it or not, I did consider underneath. I think that was just about the time my husband wrinkled his nose and eyebrows.

Here's what I'm thinking about. Although my idea is pretty simplistic, describing it might not be, but I will try. This idea would actually solve two problems for me.

Currently I have two propanes on a small rack at the rear of the tongue. I propose to remove that rack and have a piece of hardware cloth (grate) welded on. On top of that I would have a new section. Double decker/bunk bed. Have the propane rack mounted on the back of that in the same place it was on the lower rack. This would create a secure pocket for the tire to slide into and bolt below. This method would still allow plenty of room for the current tongue jack to operate.

This would solve a couple of problems. Obviously, the first would be to have a place for the spare. But, and just as important to me, remove weight from the rear of the trailer to the front tongue where I desperately need it. An added plus is that I could then use all of the space under the bed (rear dinette) for storage without worrying about the added weight.

So, what do you think? Does that make sense? If it does, then why wouldn't it work?

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Okay Suz. I was having trouble with visual here so I tried to draw up what you said.
this is what I came up with . how close did I get?

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3ea56092d3c0dPicture1.jpg/>

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Thanks for the drawing. I now see what I left out of my explanation. I meant to lay the tire flat, so the propanes would only be about 12 inches higher.

Since I wrote this, however, I went out and rechecked some measurements. I'm going to have to take off my propanes and measure more closely, but I think I may be about an inch or two shy for my 14'' tire.

Drats, back to the drawing board. :hide

PS. I wish my computer could draw like you! ;)

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If I would be willing to give up one propane, I could probably do it like your drawing and put the propane in front of it. :chin

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The area under my dinette is completely filled by the huge gray water tank. My options are: tongue, back bumper or in my tow vehicle. I'm currently planning to keep it on the back, but it isn't final till it's done! The tongue already has the battery, propane and air conditioner, so I think I need the tire at the back.

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This is how Fiber Stream did it. The spare is under the tongue between the propane tanks and the hitch.

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3f0103e1e09aaRockGuard.JPG/>

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3f01040ce112bfiberstream.JPG/>

PS: The trailer had a full set of spares when I bought it. The Runabout requires 4 tires. There are three spares resting at the bottom of the clothes closet. :reyes

What puzzles me is, that closet still seems huge. :conf

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Benita, since your Fiber Stream is a tandem axle, do you have ST175R13s? If so, that is what my spare was before. They are much smaller and easier to find a place for them. I did consider putting it underneath the tongue but the tire is at least 8'' thick vs the 6'' (+/-) of current spare. I'm afraid that it would hit as I was entering/exiting steep places or over large bumps.

Thanks for the input, though, :wave I need all the help I can get!

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Paul
Yesterday I cut my spare tire holder off of my Boler.It was mounted under the Boler at the back end.Same thing you would find on a truck.Reason I took it off was that at my age I found it to hard to put on if I had to use it.:wave

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Suz:

I went from a 13 to 14 spare on my 2000 Casita with the old style bumper. The tire rests on the bumper and snugs up against the trailer. The top clears the belly band. The bolt holding the tire is a bit off center but the big plastic disc holds everything in place OK. Don't know if your spare mount is the same but I agree that the tire needs to rest on the bumper for support.


======

Also, don't want bumper extentions!!!

In case of a rear end crash that'll just transfer the impact thru the frame and hitch to the tow vehicle. It's easier and cheaper to patch up the fiberglass on the trailer.

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Had a std tire carrier welded to bumper when I went from 13" to 15" wheels. The allthread was shortened but left intact to support the top of the carrier by double nutting.

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Orginally posted by Suz

Benita, since your Fiber Stream is a tandem axle, do you have ST175R13s?

I'm going out to check on it in a few days, I'll take a look then.

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Tom and I made a camping trailer a few years back . it was only to hold the equipment and to pull behind the jeep. box about 4x6 and we bolted the spare to the tongue, then put the tank inside the wheel. worked great. but as you can see it didn't work in the picture. so my proportions are off. :lol

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3ea5892bcc7e2Picture2.jpg/>
this picture was somebody else's drawing. I just tweaked it.. You know me and tweaking. (thanks to whom ever the artist of the trailer was, sorry I can't remember to give credit :red )

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If this doesn't cause too many clearance problems under the tongue, this might be a solution.

A question: My trailer did not come with a tire carrier anywhere. (The tire was on the floor under the dinette.) If this under-tongue solution does not work, where would I get a carrier for the back bumper, which allows the tire to rest on the bumper?

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/...rrier.jpg/>

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Sorry if you've seen this picture elsewhere, but I thought it appropriate for this thread.

Working out where to put tire took a lot of thought as you all have been doing.<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3f00c26fa577brackdown.jpg/> <img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3f00c28689cf6rack-up.jpg/>

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Suz,

I had the same problem when I converted to 14 inch tires and I looked at all of the solutions offered by factory made tire mounts. I purchased one like the one in the photo that Joe posted but the tire hung so low that hit the pavement when going over any small dip. The solution was very simple. I just cut a new disk to replace the one that Casita made from scrap fiberglass and drilled the hole off center to compensate for the larger diameter tire and wheel. I made the new disk out of an old plastic cutting board.