Truck camper overhang and spare tires

I may have mis read the original thread , but I think op is talking about getting the spare down with the supplied rods and the tire wrench to turn it. I just unlocked the opening to the spare winch and put in 2 rods and left them there,with a rag shoved into the hole to stop them from rattling . if i needed to get spare down , I just used a racthet wrench on the end as it stuck out about 3 " . Would have taken a while to get down and back up ,but it would have worked as I could not have put the rods in with TC on back of truck.

Vic R wrote:
So now that I have this shiny new truck, I've been contemplating a shiny new camper to go with it - potentially one that is longer than my 6' 4" bed. But what I can't figure out is how to access the spare tire if the tailgate is down or the camper has an overhang.

What is the secret?

Don't need no stinkin tailgate
Also don't worry about a flat,had 1 in 17 years of towing trailer and /or hauling camper

Harbor Freight likely sells hydraulic jacks cheap. I know our Canadian version of HF, Princess Auto does. I've got a 12ton,a heavier jack would be better.

okan-star wrote:
The op`s thinking ahead , that's the first step . Last thing you want is to have to get the spare out and have no easy way to do it , without unloading the camper , also might want to think about how your going to lift the truck , stock jack is probably not a good choice with the camper on, I carry a bottle jack , also two jack stands ,I also use to support the front of the camper when I unload at a camp spot
My truck the spare tire winch couldn`t be clocked to access it at the rear wheel so I made this to lower the spare

great idea. can you please share with me how you made this wrench?

My solutions:

-use the camper jacks to reduce the load on the standard jack.

-bought a used truck jack tool kit from the wrecking yard to get the "winch" handle extensions so now I can lower the spare with no issues. I don't have to crawl underneath to crank the tire down.

-installed a front receiver hitch to hold an additional spare because there are trips on which I want two spares.

The standard jack that comes with my truck has worked every time.

Thanks all - some good things to think about.

FWIW I did have a flat on my old truck (99 Ram 2500) with the camper on coming into West Yellowstone in ~2003. I had brand new tires - and the tire shop didn't use a high quality high pressure valve stem! Used the factory screw type jack and no problem, but I do remember complaining a bunch.

So it can happen but I figure if I can determine a solution, I'll probably never need it. But if I don't...

Anyway, to clear up some confusion, the 8' camper I was considering was a Four Wheel Camper/ ATC type pop-up so not sure how much weight the tailgate actually holds.

Its just one of the many options I'm looking at. We also looked at a Lance 825 the other weekend and while there is no tailgate issue, it still looks like it blocks the winch.

But seems like there are some options and there is always the front hitch and carrier which I like for a variety of reasons (if I can't figure out something cheaper!).

My wife's solution was just keep the 7' camper we have. Buzzkill.

If you have a flat, you can put the camper jacks down to support the camper. Then jack the flat tire up. You will just be working the spring to lift the tire off the ground. Be very much like jacking a truck with no camper on. Just put the t/c jacks down enough to lift the weight off the truck.

kohldad wrote:

, stock jack is probably not a good choice with the camper on

Why not? Have you ever checked the rating of the stock jack? At a minimum, it is rated sufficiently to safely pick up the heaviest axle loaded to GAWR.

I've used my stock jack for all sorts of trucks and trailers including a 14k gooseneck. It has always lifted the items with ease.

Never had a stock jack that wasent a screw jack , they get harder to turn with more weight
I guess you have a point if the jack came with the truck its rated for the loaded truck at GVW , but some of use are over that
Hard to beat a compact , cheap , easy to use 10 ton bottle jack , IMHO

This is how a member did his mod.
http://www.ourelkhorn.itgo.com/hoist.htm

, stock jack is probably not a good choice with the camper on

Why not? Have you ever checked the rating of the stock jack? At a minimum, it is rated sufficiently to safely pick up the heaviest axle loaded to GAWR.

I've used my stock jack for all sorts of trucks and trailers including a 14k gooseneck. It has always lifted the items with ease.