Spare tire.

Binderme · 05-14-2009, 05:09 PM

Hi everyone,
Well as I have been going through every inch of our used M/H. So I decided to check out the function of the spare tire which is mounted under the rear of our RV on a ford chassis. I lowered the tire and found the tire to be in good shape and examined how it was mount to the winch. Then I raised the tire back up to position. To my horror the tire fell off onto the ground because the center bracket to the rim broke from it's weld. I just can't believe hat Ford would make such a flimsy bracket that could cause some terrible injury or death to someone if it had fallen off while I was traveling. I will be modifying this bracket to make it safe.
I just thought I should warn all of you Ford chassis owners to check this out on your RV.

kayo · 05-19-2009, 01:00 PM

My 2004 Workhorse chassis has a steel tube bracket that surr9ounds the spare and bolts to the frame. a pain inthe neck to unbolt so therie can be dropped, but a nice insurance policy to prevent an accident like you had.

wa8yxm · 05-19-2009, 02:07 PM

Well, feel better, Ford did not make that bracket... They bought it.

GM uses the same type of system (only lighter weight) on some of their rides.. I've had to replace ONE winch.

I'd have a weld shop fix it for you if possible

Doggy Daddy · 05-22-2009, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Binderme

Hi everyone,
Well as I have been going through every inch of our used M/H. So I decided to check out the function of the spare tire which is mounted under the rear of our RV on a ford chassis. I lowered the tire and found the tire to be in good shape and examined how it was mount to the winch.

You failed to mention if you checked the age (birth date) of the tire. If it is over 5 years old, it is as useful as the bracket.

kayo · 05-22-2009, 07:16 AM

It's four years old, (original was used) never been exposed to sun (according to Goodyear specs, it had UV inhibitors). the thread was about a means to prevent the time fomr dropping, not the age of the tire

KC1BUD · 05-27-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayo

It's four years old, (original was used) never been exposed to sun (according to Goodyear specs, it had UV inhibitors). the thread was about a means to prevent the time fomr dropping, not the age of the tire

The only way I can think of would to be thread a cable through the hand holes on the rim and attach it to the frame on both sides as a backup if you don't trust the winch bracket. That way it wouldn't hit the highway if the Bracket failed.