I have bought my spare and the mount from Northern Tool. The mount will fit the 4 inch bumper of a TT. How many folks do this and is it safe? I just saw a video where someone had their rear bumper ripped off by a bicycle rack. Granted there were 4 bikes on it with a lot of leverage and bounce. I really don't want to take up space in the TV with the TT's spare.

falconbrother wrote:I have bought my spare and the mount from Northern Tool. The mount will fit the 4 inch bumper of a TT. How many folks do this and is it safe? I just saw a video where someone had their rear bumper ripped off by a bicycle rack. Granted there were 4 bikes on it with a lot of leverage and bounce. I really don't want to take up space in the TV with the TT's spare.Be safe and not sorry, have your spare tire rack welded to your frame.

I made my own where the weight of the tire is on top of the bumper instead of hanging out toward the rear.Gives more clearance for the bikes too.

Mine has been riding back there for 25 years. I would guess it depends on what weight the bumper was designed to carry. Mine is welded to the frame and is 4x4 square steel with bracing welded to a between the frame cross member. In short mine is reinforced and is pretty strong.I use to have a cargo rack on my rear hitch(attached to frame not bumper) but had to get it reinforced to carry the generator after a weld cracked 5 years ago. Check your welds often to avoid problems.

time2roll wrote:I made my own where the weight of the tire is on top of the bumper instead of hanging out toward the rear.Gives more clearance for the bikes too.I considered welding my own together but, the store bought one was on sale and under $20 bucks. I have the scrap steel. I could go home and start measuring, cutting, grinding and welding tonight. The lazy gets the best of me..

Lots and lots of trailers out there with a spare tire on the rear bumper...But, it you are still worried there is this....... Safety Struts....LINK...CLICKY

Spare tire mounted to TT bumper | Good Sam Community

Hannibal
Explorer
May 04, 2017
I think I'd give the TT manufacturer a quick call or email. I'd tell you to go ahead and mount it and let the good times roll, but I don't have a clue about your particular TT. All of mine have come with a spare mounted to the rear bumper. Four 50~lb Walmart bicycles bouncing on a 20 lb long leverage hanging type bike rack multiplies the force on the bumper several times. A 35 lb spare tire on it's mount is just kind of riding along.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
May 04, 2017
falconbrother wrote:
I have bought my spare and the mount from Northern Tool. The mount will fit the 4 inch bumper of a TT. How many folks do this and is it safe? I just saw a video where someone had their rear bumper ripped off by a bicycle rack.

Yes, the rear bumpers and the part of the frame that extends to the rear bumper are notoriously weak.

Any welding shop can reinforce it.
falconbrother
Explorer II
May 04, 2017
midnightsadie wrote:
get under there and look see how well the bumper is welded on. some are just hardly welded.

If that's the case I can throw down a couple of beads easy. maybe weld a support plate under the bumper from the frame to take the flex and roll out of it and help prevent the metal from tearing. The spare isn't particularly heavy.
rbpru
Explorer II
May 04, 2017
The spare tire post on my TT is bolted on. I assume it was factory installed. It has worked fine for the last 30,000 miles. If you have any concerns, email or call the manufacturer with the VIN number. They will advise you on the strength of your bumper.
jersey_traveler
Explorer
May 04, 2017
I wanted to carry a fishing cart and a bike rack on a 2" receiver on the back. The local welder charged me $230 to cut off the factory bumper from the frame, fabricate a new bumper with brackets from 1/4" stock, and weld it on. Best $230 I have spent on the TT yet!!
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
May 03, 2017
Check your manual, some manufacturers dont allow anything on the bumper, that said the dealers all do it anyway. I believe Keystone says nothing over 250 lbs.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
May 03, 2017
get under there and look see how well the bumper is welded on. some are just hardly welded.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
May 03, 2017
Almost all RV manuf install them on the rear bumper. It sits almost even with the bumper so there is not a lot of leverage going on with it.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
May 03, 2017
My Winnie has the spare on the rear bumper from the factory but they warn you in the owner's booklet not to put on anything additional.
ScottG
Nomad
May 03, 2017
Most of us have a spare mounted that way. I don't think there's any danger of the mount itself breaking off. It's the bumper that's questionable but a tire mount isn't nearly as hard on the bumper as a loaded bike rack.
I would bolt it on and watch it closely.

Personally, I had a heavily loaded bike rack rip the bumper nearly off. It wasn't a weld that failed, it was the paper thin bumper that simply ripped around where the frame is welded to it. Never had a problem with the tire mount on either of our TT's.