Hey guys I have a 2017 Winnebago 31K. I have been customizing to my liking and I am now at the spare tire, or lack thereof. There is plenty of rear overhang space in the back between the frame rails. I will most likely being building my own and looking for some ideas from people who have done it before. I am leaning towards a simple cage type that I can simply slide the tire into or mounting a spare tire hoist. Should be able to make it fairly easily with my limited welding skills. BAL makes a retract-a-spare, but unfortunately my frame rails are too narrow. Thoughts/Ideas?NOTE: I have already weighted the rig and have plenty of rear axle and gvrw for the spare tire.

Why didn't Winnebago mount your spare up there between the frame rails in the rear?(Our Winnebago Itasca 24V Class C came stock with the spare tire mounted up high in the back between the frame rails just like in a pickup truck.)

pnichols wrote:Why didn't Winnebago mount your spare up there between the frame rails in the rear?(Our Winnebago Itasca 24V Class C came stock with the spare tire mounted up high in the back between the frame rails just like in a pickup truck.)His, like my 2014 31K, probably didn't come with a spare tire. I bought a tire and rim and threw it in the huge rear storage compartment.

There is a member, Baja Man, he did a really nice job on it, his post has a lot of pictures, you can See It Here

I can't hardly believe that a 31' long coach on an E450 chassis really would have any spare rear axle weight rating left - I would actually expect an over loaded rear axle. With the rear overhang multiplication effect, the 90 lb weight of the spare and rim will add approximately 135 additional lbs to you rear axle.

whemme wrote:I can't hardly believe that a 31' long coach on an E450 chassis really would have any spare rear axle weight rating left - I would actually expect an over loaded rear axle. With the rear overhang multiplication effect, the 90 lb weight of the spare and rim will add approximately 135 additional lbs to you rear axle.My 32 1/2' Class C on an E 450 came with an OCCC of 3,275#. I weighed it about 5 months after buying it, all loaded for camping and the rear axle was at 7,820#. I went over the scales about a week ago and it was 8,640# ( 5 years older and put on weight), but still well under the 9,600# rear axle rating.

Spare tire | Good Sam Community

pnichols
Explorer II
Jul 10, 2018
Why didn't Winnebago mount your spare up there between the frame rails in the rear?

(Our Winnebago Itasca 24V Class C came stock with the spare tire mounted up high in the back between the frame rails just like in a pickup truck.)
Mich_F
Explorer
Jul 10, 2018
pnichols wrote:
Why didn't Winnebago mount your spare up there between the frame rails in the rear?

(Our Winnebago Itasca 24V Class C came stock with the spare tire mounted up high in the back between the frame rails just like in a pickup truck.)

His, like my 2014 31K, probably didn't come with a spare tire. I bought a tire and rim and threw it in the huge rear storage compartment.
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Jul 10, 2018
There is a member, Baja Man, he did a really nice job on it, his post has a lot of pictures, you can
See It Here
whemme
Explorer II
Jul 10, 2018
I can't hardly believe that a 31' long coach on an E450 chassis really would have any spare rear axle weight rating left - I would actually expect an over loaded rear axle. With the rear overhang multiplication effect, the 90 lb weight of the spare and rim will add approximately 135 additional lbs to you rear axle.
Mich_F
Explorer
Jul 10, 2018
whemme wrote:
I can't hardly believe that a 31' long coach on an E450 chassis really would have any spare rear axle weight rating left - I would actually expect an over loaded rear axle. With the rear overhang multiplication effect, the 90 lb weight of the spare and rim will add approximately 135 additional lbs to you rear axle.

My 32 1/2' Class C on an E 450 came with an OCCC of 3,275#. I weighed it about 5 months after buying it, all loaded for camping and the rear axle was at 7,820#. I went over the scales about a week ago and it was 8,640# ( 5 years older and put on weight), but still well under the 9,600# rear axle rating.
PartyOf_Five
Explorer
Jul 11, 2018
We've been under for two years but are loaded with clothes and toys (for kids of all ages) this time around, and are running 500-750 over weight on the rear with half a tank of fresh water. The basement and all the compartments are jammed. I'm not happy we're so heavy but the RV, suspension, and tires are all doing fine through the hills. I'm trying to shed some weight before we hit the mountains.
pnichols
Explorer II
Jul 11, 2018
I read posts all the time regarding large Class C rigs over-loading or nearly over-loading the Ford E450 chassis they're built on.

It's too bad Ford didn't continue offering their short-lived E550 van chassis. :( and :h

Regarding a full size mounted spare in an RV .... I wouldn't buy a motorhome that didn't include a full spare neatly stored and fairly easy to get at.
j-d
Explorer II
Jul 11, 2018
pnichols wrote:
It's too bad Ford didn't continue offering their short-lived E550 van chassis.

One BIG thing E550 offered was a straight I-Beam Front Axle! Higher capacity, of course. Easier to get a decent alignment, no doubt. Less commonly known, MUCH SMALLER turning circle. Any would be nice, and E550 offered all three. And with a higher capacity rear axle with far bigger gears. On 19.5" wheels.
pnichols
Explorer II
Jul 11, 2018
j-d wrote:
One BIG thing E550 offered was a straight I-Beam Front Axle! Higher capacity, of course. Easier to get a decent alignment, no doubt. Less commonly known, MUCH SMALLER turning circle. Any would be nice, and E550 offered all three. And with a higher capacity rear axle with far bigger gears. On 19.5" wheels.

Yep ... big old leaf springs up there in front!

What a great 22-26 foot 4X4 class C chassis that E550 would have made, too ... bullet proof.
Mich_F
Explorer
Jul 11, 2018
While looking for info about the E 550, I came across this old news. Might have already been posted here, but I found it interesting.
Ford E 550

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