Community Forums

Shadrach · 06-14-2014, 10:51 PM

My spare is mounted on the back bumper. I would like to move it and was thinking about mounting it under the front of the trailer, not under the tongue as that would cause clearance issues at times. Between the tongue and the axles there is lots of room and the rails are exposed. It is a 15 painted steel rim. Any ideas? Thanks David

Arch Hoagland · 06-15-2014, 01:08 AM

Had a trailer with the spare underneath. Two tires on pssenger side blew out at the same time and I couldn't get to the spare as I was on the edge of the I80 interstate and no room to maneuver. .

Think I'd leave it where it is.

Bob Weis · 06-15-2014, 06:06 AM

Because of the problem of the rear bumpers not carrying much weight, I moved mine to the bed of the truck (have a bed cover). Not sure I like it there, takes up too much storage room. Had not thought what about 2 blowouts on one side. Open for suggestions.

DanFromGC · 06-15-2014, 11:55 AM

Mine is mounted underneath by design, with a cable that lowers it to the ground by cranking, just like the spare under my truck. If I blow both tires on one side, I would assume I would use the jack to lift that side back to normal height and then retrieve the spare. If jacking up the side with damaged tire(s) is not an option, I'm not sure what good having the spare on the rear would do. Either way, you can't put a spare on unless you can jack up the trailer. With that said, I've actually considered moving mine to the rear. If I blow a tire and pull off to the side of the road, whatever is there is what I have to lay down in and crawl through to get under my trailer to access the spare. Murphy's law says that will be some mud, water or worse! Just something to think about before you work too hard getting it moved. I'm not sure how to advise mounting one under the trailer if it is not factory designed. Seems like you'd have to span some metal brace between the two frame sides of the trailer, and then put a plate on to mount the tire. Seems like some work, laying on your back under the trailer trying to mount or access the tire when you needed it. In my case, once I get under I just light the cable out of the middle and slide the tire back to the road. In a custom mount, I'm guessing you'd have to take off some lug nuts and the tire will want to fall once the last lug nut is removed. Good luck on that, and definitely share some pics if you come up with a brilliant design!

Shadrach · 06-15-2014, 10:32 PM

My reason for moving it is because I want to mount a generator on the back and not sure if there will be enough room. I guess I could mount it above the genset. Thanks for the replies.David

Texastbird · 06-15-2014, 10:35 PM

BAL - Innovative Products for the RV Industry

I have been looking at this idea. I want to put a bike carrier on the bumper.

Matt1751 · 06-16-2014, 05:49 PM

I put mine in the front storage compartment. Be careful of what you put on the back bumper though. Most can't hold much weight.

Shadrach · 06-17-2014, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texastbird

BAL - Innovative Products for the RV Industry

I have been looking at this idea. I want to put a bike carrier on the bumper.

THAT'S what I had in mind. Now watch someone say " what if you have a flat and you are parked up against another trailer or a ??? then what? " I still like it.

My storage compartment are already full Thanks David

Bob Weis · 06-18-2014, 01:30 PM

The BAL looks VERY interesting. They also have different configurations that would work for most non MH's.

pt1655 · 06-20-2014, 06:41 PM

That's so funny! Our 2012 Forest River Surveyor came with the spare tire slung underneath the front. A very heavy bike rack was mounted on the back bumper. Well, at our age we don't bike or carry toys anymore, so to make it easier to get to the spare should I ever have to use it, I took off the bike rack and mounted the spare on the back bumper. The bumper was built very strong to hold the bike rack so I had no problems with the weight of the spare tire. I took the rack off the underside of the trailer which turns out saved 50lbs. I guess personally, I would leave it where it is unless you can mount it to the side of the A frame up front with a boat trailer spare tire mount.
Happy Camping!
Pete

Shadrach · 06-20-2014, 11:12 PM

There is no " ideal " spot. Every location has it own issues. Under the tongue lessen ground clearance going thru a dip. On the side of the tongue interferes with jackknifing. Under neath the trailer can be a pain in some circumstances. On the back bumper adds length.

Currently it mounted to the steel bumper on my 28' TT. I will probably end up keeping it back there just move it to above the genset box. I was just curious as to what my options were. David