2007 Chevy 2500HD classic/superhitch spare doesn't fit.

[silverbullet555]

So, we are right at 1 year since buying our truck camper. It's been quote odyssey in making it all work right together. My desire to tow the boat while the truck camper was installed has been the primary motivator for the helper springs and the sway bar. Last fall, I bought a superhitch because our boat was too heavy to just use an extension.

I finally got around to installing it and now the spare won't fit. I might be able to loosen the bolts and slide the hitch back a bit (which is a good idea regardless) and may get the tire in, but I'm relatively sure it would be hitting the diff which can't be good.

I'll reach out to torklift in the morning, but for now, I am exploring solves in order to make it work.

Curious from others that might have some suggestions or experience.

If it matters:
Truck: 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic 2500HD shortbed 4x4 duramax.
Tires: Currently 285/75/R16 BFG AT/TAKO. 50% tread
Camper: 1995 Northland 860

Possible ideas:

Put spare inside camper for traveling and take it out when we get where we are going. Major PITA, not sure it would sit on the floor nicely. Super cheap. May be required for the short term.

Put tire on roof of camper? I read that from an old thread on here. Worried that it would cause some kind of damage up there, though I don't know that it would be an issue. Downside is having to hoist it up and down when the camper is on and off. Normally, that would only be a couple times a year. Is there potential for damage to the roof under normal use? We do spend time on dirt roads in the fall during hunting season. Summer would be mostly freeway.

Deflate spare and add a compressor somewhere for on board air. Needs to be able to get to 85 PSI to re-inflate spare as needed. Upside is onboard air for inflating things, blowing out water, etc. Unsure if this would get me the space needed. Additional benefit is being able to plug a tire and reinflate on the side of the road if needed. Is there potential for other issues with a deflated spare? Cost $250

New tires: I would wait until needed and need to find a temp solution in the meantime. Switch to a 275/70/16 or 265/75/16 for the next set of off-road tires. Will need to still have the weight capacity that the current tires do to support everything.

Mount spare on front bumper using front hitch. $250 or so from my quick research. moves the weight up front is a big plus. Only concern really is temps when towing up a hill with the boat and camper. Haven't had overheating issues so nothing to base it on, but something that came to mind. Other issue is losing some visibility. Up side is I wouldn't mind adding winch to get us out of the much should there be an error in judgement. Preserves desired tire size and should be bolt on. No worries about future tire sizes, etc.

Mount spare on front bumper using welded customer bumper. I've always wanted a front bumper like a ranchhand. Could go that route, put a receiver hitch on it so I can have a winch to slide in as well. Most expensive option, but extra brownie points for the cool factor.

[silverbullet555]

Pulled the spare out of the suburban which is a 265/75/16 copper discoverer AT and it fits.

For now, it seems to be the best option to get one and if I get a flat, put the spare on the front and a full size on the back. When it's time to change tires, I can decide if I want to downsize all of them while keeping my weight rating.

[specta]

silverbullet555, thank you for your reply.

[silverbullet555]

specta wrote:
Isn't there another hitch option?? A different brand??

I'd hate my spare mounted on the front of my truck.

The extension is the issue. There are not a lot of options to run a 24-36" extension while still being able to haul a 6200lb load. That leaves torklift for the extension which uses a two bar design which needs their hitch.

If I was less conservative when it comes to capacities and maximum capacities, I could have gone a different route. It's also hard to change when I have the hitch, the camper mounts and the extension bar.

Most likely solve at this point will be a smaller spare. I need to check the fit using a 265/75/16 off my suburban to see if it fits. If it does, I'll run that as a spare and when it is time for new tires, I'll decide if I want to switch to that all around.

[specta]

Isn't there another hitch option?? A different brand??

I'd hate my spare mounted on the front of my truck.

[silverbullet555]

Well, the deinflated spare didn't work. And the hitch didn't slide back much so it's going to have to be relocated, at least until I decide if I am going to downsize my tires which carries with it, it's own set of challenges.

Front mount seems the most promising from a functionality standpoint.

Hoisting it on to the roof is the cheapest option.

[notsobigjoe]

Bedlam wrote:

mike/kellie wrote:
Bedlam our moderator mounted his spare on his superhitch. Not sure if it's laying flat topside or under.

Mine is sitting on top of the SuperTruss so I do not reduce clearance. You will have to measure the space you have under the camper to see if the your spare tire will clear.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29117589/gotomsg/29250087.cfm#29250087

I never saw that thread, WOW nice rig. It's more like an RV than it is a truck camper.

[Bedlam]

mike/kellie wrote:
Bedlam our moderator mounted his spare on his superhitch. Not sure if it's laying flat topside or under.

Mine is sitting on top of the SuperTruss so I do not reduce clearance. You will have to measure the space you have under the camper to see if the your spare tire will clear.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29117589/gotomsg/29250087.cfm#29250087

[Kayteg1]

another vote for front mount.
When it looks on redneck side, the WD benefit alone made me putting it there on F250.
When you have good cooling system, front mounted wheel will not make the engine overheating.
I drove my next F350 with Honda 3000 generator on front hitch all over US, with temperatures as high as 124F and overheating was never an issue.

[ticki2]

I have had no change in coolant temps with a front mounted spare . Also much easier to access and check pressure .

[silverbullet555]

mike/kellie wrote:
Bedlam our moderator mounted his spare on his superhitch. Not sure if it's laying flat topside or under.

Thanks. Shot him a message.

jimh425 wrote:
Others have used front mounted tire carriers.

I saw some of those options which got me thinking. Moving the weight forward is a benefit.

Geo*Boy wrote:
Are your tires oversized, because my spare fit with no problem?

I guess they are. Stock I think is a 265/75/16.

notsobigjoe wrote:
I have a very old truck and built a storage compartment in my place of my back seat. That is where I keep it. Not much help but some input. It's a good 70 pounds off the rear of the 1181 though.

Getting the weight up front isn't a bad thing.

[notsobigjoe]

I have a very old truck and built a storage compartment in my place of my back seat. That is where I keep it. Not much help but some input. It's a good 70 pounds off the rear of the 1181 though.

[Geo_Boy]

Are your tires oversized, because my spare fit with no problem?

[jaycocreek]

I've had two truck campers I had to get a front bumper mount tire carrier and another I just put the spare on the boat tongue..

[jimh406]

Others have used front mounted tire carriers.