Spare Tire Project

[mrnoyb]

After 6 months of ownership and over 5,000 miles of travel I'm finally finished driving my class c without a spare tire. I've purchased a new OEM wheel and a matching Michelin tire.

The only remaining decision is how to carry the spare. Do I just pack it along with the rest of the gear in the storage compartment or try to mount an exterior carrier?

I spoke with the factory & they advised the 4" square bumper can accommodate a carrier and in fact the units they build for rental service are equipped with bumper mounted spare tire carriers. However they don't carry the accessory in parts.

I've researched the Stromberg Carlson TR-1 bumper mounted carrier and it seems like it might work but I'm a concerned it may not snug down properly because of the dually wheel.

I would appreciate any information anyone could share regarding bumper mounted spare tire carriers for a class c motor home.

Thank you.

[pnichols]

Can't you have it mounted in the rear up in between the frame rails and between the gas tank and the rear bumper?

That's where ours came mounted, stock ... I assume Ford delivered the bare chassis to the motorhome manufacturer with the spare mounted that way from the factory.

This location gets the spare up out of the way and not so far to the back as to be bounching around as much on a long lever arm. It also looks cleaner to not have the spare tacked on the back coach wall. I does make it harder to get at it when needed, however.

[mrnoyb]

I decided to mount the spare on a Curt trailer hitch carrier. The other alternatives I found didn't seem to provide the support needed to securely carry the combined weight of this size wheel, tire and carrier. I used Trimax receiver & spare tire locks to secure the carrier along with a Camco cover.

The investment in time & money was well spent.

[mrnoyb]

Some quick replies -

The wheel & tire assembly weighed in at 74.2 lbs.

I don't think I'm going to carry it in the cargo compartment for the reasons already stated.

The hitch mounted options are out because I may want to begin towing soon and I don't want to impede air flow to the engine compartment using a front mounted hitch.

I'm still searching for the right bumper carrier.

[aeejbe]

mrnoyb wrote:
... ...bumper mounted spare tire carriers for a class c motor home.

As previously mentioned, a spare wheel & tire for a Class C does weigh in the neighborhood of 80lbs.
That aside, will something 'similar to' BAL's Hide-A-Spare work on a vehicle OTHER THAN a trailer?
If so, it would eliminate adding 80lbs of leveraged weight to the rear bumper (AND rear overhang).
Just a thought... ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsPze0XeHj8

[EsoxLucius]

No rear receiver hitch? http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Cargo-Control/Curt/c31006.html?feed=npn&gclid=CO3Z89emtLoCFaZcMgodvG...

[hrgermany]

I built my own spare tire mount and used the trailer hitch to mount the spare tire.The tire sits between the mounting post and the rear of the motor home.

Hans Rueckert
1995 BF 26 FT RSB

[Rolin]

Our Jayco 23ft Class C motorhome had the spare attached to a carrier which attached to the rear bumper. Was still very snug after 40K miles. We kept it covered with one of those plastic spare tire covers.

Our current Aspect 26A has the spare mounted on the back with a very nice metal cover so no uv rays get to it. Have about 20K miles on this one. I check the tire pressure periodically.

Be sure to mount it inside out.....turned around so the flat side is against the carrier. You may need an extension to reach the nut or just use the lug wrench to tighten it down.

I feel much more secure with a spare tire on the back. I also got a torque wench so I can properly torque the nuts. Then I practiced taking the rear tire off and putting it on just to be sure that I could.

Good to have a spare even if you have road side service. That way you don't have to pay big bucks for a replacement in the middle of no where.

[lane_hog]

I wouldn't do it. That's a lot of weight bouncing at the end of a rolling earthquake...

I'm spoiled by the undermounted spare on our Winnebago -- sits snugly between the frame rails on top of a couple pieces of steel tubing. Keeps it out of the way, and no worries about UV exposure...

[Bobbo]

Winnebago mounted my OEM spare tire on the back wall of my rear basement. The basement at that point is high enough for the tire to stand upright, bolted to the wall.

[Bordercollie]

Not safe to carry spare loose in storage compartment. Ours is mounted to the front wall of storage compartment in our Tioga 26Q.

[Dusty_R]

I saw one once that you pulled a latch and the rear bumper rolled out like a drawer and the spare laid in it. The slides appeared to be garage door track and rollers.

Dusty

[path1]

Just me others might want to, but I wouldn't not after looking at what your talking about https://www.google.com/search?q=Stromberg+Carlson+TR-1+bumper+mounted+carrier&source=lnms&tbm=isch&s... maybe a small trailer tire with a good strong hitch. I think your tire weighs maybe 80 pounds or more and it is going to be mounted at the very end of the "back of the bus" bounce wiggling around. If you tow, I would get it up front with a good strong front hitch (square tube) If you don't tow, mount it in rear hitch. IMO
You said "I'm a concerned it may not snug down properly because of the dually wheel." Yes, good catch with the offset wheel and bolt keeping it on. Mine only goes on one way (inset to rack)and four-way wrench bottoms out on tire before nut is tight. I just use an extension to get bolt tight. I will say that is not the worst place to carry a spare tire. Saw one going up freeway last week with spare tire chained to luggage rack on top of RV just bouncing along on the roof.
edited part: I like something like this although I would like it even more sturdy. http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Cargo-Control/Curt/c31006.html

[Gene_in_NE]

Spare Tire for our Class C

[Desert_Captain]

Tried to send you a PM with no luck.

Search for the thread "Spare Tire for our class C". There is a picture on the second page of the mount I used. Bought it at La Mesa RV (it is in their catalog), for $28. Very secure and mostly out of the way. Our bumper is extremely robust, multiple large bolts holding thick steel plate in place. If you bumper doesn't sound like that you may want to get it reinforced before hanging a fairly heavy spare back there. Some bumpers don't even do well with a simple bike rack so it is worth checking. If you need more pics or info just let me know. :C