Under Chassis Spare Tire Mount

[jimmccreary]

I recently purchased a 2004 winnebago Journey 34H. I was shocked to realise that one of my rear tires was not the correct size resulting in one rear tire bearing the burden of the weight on that side causing steering pull to that side. I went to various tire shops before I realized that my 22.5" rim tire (Michelin XRV) had to be specially ordered. This took several days. Now I realize why the previous owner mounted an undersized tire.

After purchasing two new tires, I moved one of the used tires to a space direcly under the chasis just behind the fuel tank. This is just the tire, not tire plus hub. I did not want to consume the already existing storage spaces by putting the spare tire in them. The rational for carrying a spare tire is that I can avoid a delay associated with finding the correct size tire when on a long trip in a remote area (AlCan Highway).

It was very easy for a custom welding shop to follow my design and weld a tire mount kit under the RV. The only real consideration is that the tire itself weighs 85lbs and the length of the mounting bolt and bracket need to be sized so that the bolt has enough thread to attach the nut without compressing the tire and then has enough thread to tighten the crosspiece and compress the tire enough to hold it in place without vibrating. The bolt was a 1/2 bolt with about 5" of thread and the nut contained a builtin nylon section that locked to the thread.

After 7K mi it has worked fine. No excessive rubbing or wear visible on tire.

It seems to me that this space was a perfect fit in both height and width and must at one time been a space that was designed for a spare tire.

Regards to all

jim & debbie and 2 cocker spaniels

[RKL2]

Jim...I did the same thing for my 2002 Juorney. My mounting was the same except I put an inflated tube in the tire to keep the debris and moisture out and to keep it snug..Also I used rachet nylon tiedowns on two sides to hold it in case the mount broke in some way...30,000 plus miles and good as new....RKL

[Paul T]

What are rachet nylon tiedowns??
Thx

[jimmccreary]

RKL2,
I like your idea of inflating a tube. I think I will have to add ratched straps as well since this will also help when mounting and unmounting the tire and also is another measure of safety.

best of luck

jim & debbie and 2 cockerspaniels

[jimmccreary]

Paul T,
I think he means nylon straps with a ratcheting catch to allow tightening.

jim

[TEO]

When I bought my 2002 Journey, the previous owner had a spare tire mounted where you stated. It had no rim, and was held up by three of the ratchet tie-downs. I had to cut the tie-downs to get the tire off and when I did, it was useless. It had been pulled up so tightly that it was terribly misshapened and the harsh bends cause enormous cracks.

I've been trying to think of a way to hold a spare in place, sandwiched between two pieces of plywood to keep it relatively clean. I neveer thought of puting a tube inside to keep the dirt out. What a great idea!

Paul

[jimmccreary]

Thanks TEO for the useful tip. I will also follow RKL2's advice about the inner tube.

Jim

[DReiser]

Does anyone have a picture of their mount? I carry a spare in my compartment and wouldn't mind re-locating it underneath, if at all possible.

[RKL2]

DReiser....private mail me your email address and I will try to send you a photo of the mount...RKL

[RKL2]

DReiser....your email address is rejected by my mailer...tried to send pics 3 times..all rejected....sorry RKL

[RLS]

I too would like a picture. Thanks.

[jimmccreary]

I too am interested in the photos.
I have tried to attach to this reply my schematics for the spare tire attachment kit. I hope it comes through.

regards to all

jim

[jimmccreary]

Hi All,
here are 3 photos and 6 more to come.

Hope this helps.

regards,
jim

[jimmccreary]

Here are 3 more photos.
jim