Spare tire on the roof?

[Freightguy]

I am looking for options to mount a spare tire without rim on my motor home roof. If you are doing this I would like to know your setup also pros and cons.
Thanks,

[CA_Traveler]

I'll go against the tide here as I think the above picture is a better choice than the roof. And storing this large tire in the storage locker takes a lot of space but perhaps OK for weekend warriors.

This rig like mine has a side radiator and I've measured my rear vent temperature at 140F about like my tires on a hot summer day.

I do agree that the visual design could be better.

And of course if you never need a spare then why carry one?

[wolfe10]

A very hot location for a tire.

[doxiemom11]

Doesn't seem like a good idea to be blocking part of the venting either.

[colliehauler]

wbwood wrote:

jfkmk wrote:

CA Traveler wrote:
This is a spare tire solution by another RVer, no rim just the tire so that's it's available if needed.

Man, nothing screams "Beverly Hillbillies" more than that!

And on a Newmar Mountain Aire

Hey ol jed he's a millionaire.

[wbwood]

jfkmk wrote:

CA Traveler wrote:
This is a spare tire solution by another RVer, no rim just the tire so that's it's available if needed.

Man, nothing screams "Beverly Hillbillies" more than that!

And on a Newmar Mountain Aire

[jfkmk]

CA Traveler wrote:
This is a spare tire solution by another RVer, no rim just the tire so that's it's available if needed.

Man, nothing screams "Beverly Hillbillies" more than that!

[georgelesley]

No matter where you mount it just be sure to protect it from the sun and wx since it will not be mounted debris could easily get inside the tire.

[wbwood]

Nomadac wrote:
My tire weighs 100+ lbs. and I would not try to get it on my roof or get it down. It was heavy enough when I carried it in one of my storage bays.If I decided to take a tire with me I would put it in one of my storage bays where is covered and out of the sun.

I agree. A DP tire itself is big, bulky and heavy. You are going to need a truck tire place to change the tire anyway. By having the tire with you and not mounted on a rim, the only thing you are saving is the time for them to find a spare and maybe the cost of the tire difference. I would probably just find a place in a storage bay or do without. You will need to call someone anyway and since it's not mounted, you will have to pay them extra to mount it on the rim on the side of the road.

We have a class C with a smaller tire. I went to Discount tire and ordered a spare and a used rim and had it mounted. I found space in one of our outside bays to store it. We have no way of mounting it outside. It would cost me 3 times the cost of the tire and rim just to mount it in a good manner I would feel safe about.

[Ivylog]

The tire in my picture above is wrapped in aluminum foil and plastic wrap. My newer used tire is wrapped in white duct tape which seems to hold up better than the plastic wrap. Getting it off is easy enough as you can roll it off and it will hardly bounce since it does not have air in it.

[Nomadac]

My tire weighs 100+ lbs. and I would not try to get it on my roof or get it down. It was heavy enough when I carried it in one of my storage bays.If I decided to take a tire with me I would put it in one of my storage bays where is covered and out of the sun.

[wnjj]

donn0128 wrote:

Freightguy wrote:
If you are doing this I would like to know your setup also pros and cons
Thanks,

Well excuse me! I guess I misread your post.

Fixed it for you.

[Ivylog]

I love answers from those that have trailers with roofs that will barely hold a person and have 1/2" plywood roofs... usually without a ladder as they do not want you on the roof. My spare tire has stayed put for 75K miles...my DP does not bounce around like your trailer.

[allen8106]

For what it's worth, I sure wouldn't do but to each his own.

[ScottG]

fj12ryder wrote:
Well, I am surprised that it is more common than I had ever thought. It still seems like a bad idea though. IMO anyway.

I agree and just because someone has done it doesn't make it a good idea. Those who tie one down to the aluminum "railing" on the roof should check out how that is attached to the roof; by a few little wood screws into some plywood or sheet metal.