Getting the spare tire out....

work2much wrote:
Honestly in 4 truck campers over 20 years we have never had a flat...knock on wood.. I do stay prepared keeping the spare aired up. I have always assumed that I would need to raise the camper off the truck enough to get the spare out if that day ever comes as well as take some weight off to use the cheapie screw jack that comes with the truck.

Don't agitate the 'God of flat tires'... You go on a trip and wake up to 2 flats...:E

Honestly in 4 truck campers over 20 years we have never had a flat...knock on wood.. I do stay prepared keeping the spare aired up. I have always assumed that I would need to raise the camper off the truck enough to get the spare out if that day ever comes as well as take some weight off to use the cheapie screw jack that comes with the truck.

245/70R19.5 fit in the OEM location even with the larger SuperHitch installed. If you have a card with a serial number on it in your documentation, that is the key code to order a replacement. I kept mine with the crank handle, but it originally comes in a zip lock pouch with the serialized card.

IF it's a Ford Superduty, make **** sure you have the lock for the spare tire.. Mine's missing (I bought it used, they probably threw it out when they prepped the truck for resale), did not realize it had one until I had a flat.

Plan is to remove it anyway, I'm running 19.5's and it's a 16" E rated rotted 17 year old tire anyway.

jimh425 wrote:
Kayteg1, that's a heavy spare.

The wheels for my motorhome weight 190 lb and I was able to lift them off the ground at the time to slide over the hub.
So what is 80-90 lb wheel even for a guy in his "prime years" ;)
Coming to front mount, using Ford tow eye for mount had disadvantage of obstructing the light, so I think front hitch would be better.
I mounted front hitch on my new truck for generator carrying, but doesn't take much to buy or manufacture wheel mount.
The hitch was less than $200 and I already used it several times on very different tasks.

I do have a question about the front mount spare tire carrier... Why is the tire leaning back in Emcvay's picture? Is there a reason why it's mounted like that? I think if I made a mount, I'd want the tire to ride vertical but maybe there is a reason for it that I don't understand.

Could someone explain????

If it needs to be like that I can make one like that...

They do look kind of redneck but then I am a redneck, Michigan redneck farmer that is....

Kayteg1 wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:


I've consider that myself. My truck is so old I'd have to fabricate a mount. and it would have to be hinged so the tire laid down on the ground to remove it from the mount.

Come-on Flip. You are fellow metal fabricator and you can do that.
For my 2000 F250 I made a clamp on factory tow eye so 1 lb of steel, 1 big bolt to clamp it and about 1 hr of work.
I would advise the idea to each TC owner who drive SRW.
The spare wheel moved from behind rear axle onto front bumper took close to 300 lb from rear axle, so sure increased safety and handling, even if it looks Redneck ;)

Kayteg..

My issue is, I don't have the stock suspension on the old girl. I extensively modified the front and rear suspension many years ago so to fit a front spare tire carrier would entail a bunch of fab and welding work and I'm getting old and don't want to.

I did an axle flip on the front and got rid of the front swing shackles with a fabricated weldment that runs across the frame ends. The truck sits high, 6 over stock. Kind of wish I didn't do it now, it's a pain to get in and out of even with steps. My wife has to use a step stool to get in. It did really improve the ride and handling. The old F350's rode like tanks with those huge stack of leaf springs. I have 7 leaves in the back and 5 in the front on each side. It's a tank by today's standards. Made all the spring pivots greaseable too. Added Thompson linear roller bearings in each pivot point in place of the stock rubber bushings. 15 zerks just on the front end. 4 more out back plus the driveline.

I may anyhow this winter. I have the steel in the barn to do it. Looked at making one with a winch mount and tire carrier and it would get the weight from the back end even though my tire and wheel assembly isn't that heavy with the Alcoa forged rims.

Never planned on keeping it for 20 years back then.

Probably should get a new one but I don't want the DEF and all the headaches of the pollution hardware. Mine has no pollution hardware at all and she does 21 with the camper in the bed.

Besides, a new truck cost more than I paid for the farm.

Kayteg1, that's a heavy spare.

SidecarFlip wrote:


I've consider that myself. My truck is so old I'd have to fabricate a mount. and it would have to be hinged so the tire laid down on the ground to remove it from the mount.

Come-on Flip. You are fellow metal fabricator and you can do that.
For my 2000 F250 I made a clamp on factory tow eye so 1 lb of steel, 1 big bolt to clamp it and about 1 hr of work.
I would advise the idea to each TC owner who drive SRW.
The spare wheel moved from behind rear axle onto front bumper took close to 300 lb from rear axle, so sure increased safety and handling, even if it looks Redneck ;)

Eric&Lisa wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
Unloading the TC with a flat on the rear on the side of the freeway sounds like a bad dream in the making.
....

Did that, done that. I-405 southbound in Renton, WA, exit 3, in the 'V' between three lanes of traffic and the exit ramp. The overhang of the camper blocks access to the hole for the handle. Jacks down, tie-downs unhooked, and I lifted the camper enough to get access. Yeah, this is in the 'not fun' category.

-Eric

Last year I had a flat (new tires btw) on I 94 at the 127 south exit, picked up a spike in the front driver's side tire, got it on the berm and getting the spare out wasn't a big deal but dismounting the drivers side front tire with about a foot clearance between me and the inconsiderate drivers that could not slow down or move over a foot was what concerned me. Had my 4 ways on and I put out triangles too. It was scary, people passing inches from me at 70 per.

Everybody is in a hurry to get nowhere and don't give a hoot about their fellow man (or woman).