Community Forums

AppleValley2 · 09-27-2011, 10:14 PM

Hi all, I have a question that is specific to the 2002 Itasca Suncruiser model 32v. We bought the MH in July and noticed that the spare tire was shoved into a side compartment. It takes up just about the whole compartment. We figured that the spare must have originally been under the MH, but was later moved to accommodate a tow hitch. We are going to have a new mounting made so that we could get the spare put back under the MH. There seemed to be some conflicting info in the owners manual that indicated that the spare could have intentionally been placed in the side compartment on this model. Its odd because there is no place for it in there. It looks like its just shoved in at an odd angle like and afterthought. I was going to call Winnebago for clarification, but my husband said to ask you all. He is betting you know the answer. Any other 2002 Suncruiser owners out there? Thanks in advance.

Tamara & Monty
2002 Itasca Suncruiser

Clay L · 09-28-2011, 09:05 AM

Which chassis do you have - Ford or Workhorse?

AppleValley2 · 09-28-2011, 09:09 AM

The Chevy Workhorse.

mikron · 09-28-2011, 09:35 AM

Our 2008 Windsport coach sits on a Ford 2007 F53 chassis. We had a rack made under the chassis behind the gas tank and bought a new tire only. Have read threads of how people had no spare and had tough time getting one out on the road.

Ed-Sommers · 09-28-2011, 10:10 AM

In the days when mechanics, and tire shops/help were far and few in between, a spare tire was really necessary, and you had to change it yourself, including truckers.

Now-days a spare is not necessarily needed as a phone number is. Desire to have, and need to have are now two different things.

Although I CAN change my 250 lb 22.5's, I do not desire to, I just use my cell phone to change ii, although one time I was in the forest with no reception so I took off the tire/rim, loaded it in my toad, and drove to a tire shop for a repair. I have much more important things to haul without screwing around with a spare tire, I have a blueboy and garden hoses in my spare tire compartment. IMHO

Ed

JimM68 · 09-28-2011, 12:06 PM

When I had a rig with a changeable spare, it was a ford f53, and it had a cable hoist arrangement between the rear frame rails, aft of the fuel tank. Worked really well.

AppleValley2 · 09-28-2011, 01:20 PM

Update-- I called winnebago and they searched by serial number and said the spare should be installed under the MH. He said the info on the system stated "hitch exterior rear with spare tire bracket". Funny how the underside does not show any sign of there ever having been a bracket. Oh well, thanks for the feedback.

Clay L · 09-28-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleValley2

Update-- I called winnebago and they searched by serial number and said the spare should be installed under the MH. He said the info on the system stated "hitch exterior rear with spare tire bracket". Funny how the underside does not show any sign of there ever having been a bracket. Oh well, thanks for the feedback.

It was a rack with a couple of metal tabs that fit into slots in a bracket on the frame. The rack tips up and a couple of bolts secure it.
Here is one picture of the rack. The bolts are on the left side and the tabs are on the right side.

and here is another

AppleValley2 · 09-28-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay L

It was a rack with a couple of metal tabs that fit into slots in a bracket on the frame. The rack tips up and a couple of bolts secure it.
Here is one picture of the rack. The bolts are on the left side and the tabs are on the right side.

and here is another

Thanks so much! You know what they say about a picture being worth a thousand words. It makes more sense now. I appreciate the time it took for you to take and post the pictures!