Community Forums

corn18 · 09-29-2020, 07:17 PM

Our 5er has the 16" spare in the front storage. I am thinking about moving it to the back bumper. Any reason I should not do this? Would free up space up front for other stuff.

Thanks,

Corn

arcaguy · 09-29-2020, 07:31 PM

I don't see an issue with it as long as the bumper can handle the weight, it probably weighs over 100 lbs, maybe quite a bit over. Just make sure it doesn't interfere with anything and keep it covered. That's a good use for the best old tire when you replace them.

Ray,IN · 09-29-2020, 07:43 PM

Some square rear bumpers are only designed to contain the waste hose, they actually have little strength. If you decide to do this keep close watch on the bumper welds/mounts. One hundred pounds bouncing up/down create much more kinetic energy than the static weight.

Old-Biscuit · 09-29-2020, 07:47 PM

Ever been behind a trailer with spare mounted on bumper......
SCARY as it is shaking back/worth

MOST trailer rear bumpers are NOT strong enough, braced/supported or built for that kind of weight

IF you go forward I would have a really good welder beef up/brace it for that kind of weight that will be rocking

Mudfrog · 09-29-2020, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcaguy

I don't see an issue with it as long as the bumper can handle the weight, it probably weighs over 100 lbs, maybe quite a bit over. Just make sure it doesn't interfere with anything and keep it covered. That's a good use for the best old tire when you replace them.

Does a 16" tire and wheel really weigh that much? I'm pretty sure my 19.5s mounted on steel wheels weigh less than that.

Like you, I don't see a problem either. The bumper should be good to go but it wouldn't hurt to double check the weld/bolt attachment points at the frame.

Edited to add: Old-Biscuit's reply came out while I was typing and after reading his, have to wonder what I'm missing here. If it's the old fashioned square tube bumper we're talking about here, I sure have seen a bunch with spare tires in my travels. I can't imagine it being a problem with a 16 inch tire and wheel but,,, maybe I'm wrong.

Old-Biscuit · 09-29-2020, 08:10 PM

You tube video....check out bumper at 15:12
Pretty flimsy looking
Might have better luck with a cargo rack but receiver doesn't look very robust either

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCDPi1tE968

arcaguy · 09-29-2020, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudfrog

Does a 16" tire and wheel really weigh that much? I'm pretty sure my 19.5s mounted on steel wheels weigh less than that.

I really don't know what they weigh. It was just a semi educated guess.

hoakken · 09-29-2020, 10:33 PM

Spare ripped the square tube bumper off my fiver and dragged tire and wheel down the freeway. Not pretty but at least it didn’t come completely off and hit a car.

MtCamper · 09-30-2020, 05:03 AM

The rim is between 20 and 35# the tire weight is between 35 and 60. It all depends on quality and standard of manufacture. And don't forget you need to have another 80# or so of air in there.

I've never liked bumper mount spares. How about an undermount?

Seon · 09-30-2020, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoakken

Spare ripped the square tube bumper off my fiver and dragged tire and wheel down the freeway. Not pretty but at least it didn’t come completely off and hit a car.

I'm guessing the tube bumper was intact but the weld attaching the tube to the frame was where it "Ripped off" (?) .

As Old-Biscuit suggested, reinforce the welded joints.

SlowJoe · 09-30-2020, 07:16 AM

No matter what the tire weighs, the bouncing will create a lot of stress on the bumper. I used to work on tanker trailers and their fenders would fatigue crack over time. It is amazing how much stuff would crack and fail. As mentioned above, many of the bumpers are a very light gauge square tube. If it is less than 1/8 inch thick forget about mounting a tire on it. If I were going to do this, I would make sure the entire tire mount was fabricated from 1/4 inch material and that it were mounted with grade 5 hardware at the minimum. If it gets mounted there, you need to make sure it will be as strong after 10 years of bouncing down the highway as it is the first day it's installed. Overkill is a good thing here!!!

Good luck!

corn18 · 09-30-2020, 08:34 AM

I'll leave it in the front storage.

I am going to hang my 28 gal honey wagon on the back ladder, though. Until my wife tells me we look like hillbillies.

charliez · 09-30-2020, 08:55 AM

I keep mine in the storage bin. Nobody can steal it. I can't loose it. I can't forget it. It won't get eaten up buy the sun. I check the air pressure in it occasionally, which is something that should be done regardless of storage location.

PKI · 09-30-2020, 09:48 AM

Storage of anything behind the axles is a degradation of optimal directional stability. Storage of anything in front of the axles that overloads the tow vehicle degrades the safety and reliability of the rig. The gear load out of your rig is a compromise. More is not generally better. Enough is best. IMHO, I would not move the spare to the bumper.

The answer -

Yes, you can. It takes building a strong support structure that adds weight to your coach.

No, you should not move it unless your situation makes that solution necessary, not nice to have, but necessary to function.

If you do, seriously consider what gear and supplies you can better position to center the loading over the coach axles.

And as a final safety consideration, weigh the load out configuration to verify you are not over axle or tire capacity.

In all cases, if you are running heavy, reduce your travel speed and extend your following distance. You can do a lot with a little if you take care, understand the rigs capability and are not forced to do emergency type moves to avoid an event.