Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Topic: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic) (Read 1688 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from just bought 89 grandv...

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #25 – July 30, 2015, 01:43:34 am

Nice one Jerry. A little steel and a welder could make something like that. Long arm is something I didn't think about.

Pierce

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #26 – July 30, 2015, 08:15:05 am

I like the Roadmaster spare tire carrier but it it something I would like to rent for a specific trip i.e an Alaska tour. Any thoughts on the possibility of that happening?

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #27 – July 30, 2015, 11:08:04 am

sounds like an FMCA service - but the weight might make the cost prohibitive to ship - maybe some enterprising person at a jumping off point for Alaska will buy some and rent them out, but I doubt the economics would make sense as a for profit enterprise

agree - all I would want one for is when I knew help was a long way away and tire failure a distinct possibility

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #28 – July 30, 2015, 11:16:52 am

The roof of the toad might not be a bad spot for the spare on the trip especially if it has rack mounts. $2-3 hundred buys a new Alcoa wheel to keep weight down over a steel wheel. I bought a nice used one for $100 complete with tire. alcoa wheels 22.5 | eBay

Alcoa wheel offset has to be checked before buying. Correct offset/bolt pattern/etc is available in both polished and matte (machined only) finishes.

Pierce

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #29 – July 30, 2015, 11:39:19 am

Next item on to make list I guess, but will change a few things to suit my recessed hitch etc.
Like the idea of having spare and already mounted is a plus.
JohnH

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #30 – July 30, 2015, 12:02:10 pm

What are the wheels of our FT coaches interchangeable with. I see the names of Pete, Freightliner, Volvo, Roadmaster and a bunch of others. Who does FT buy there axels from.

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #31 – July 30, 2015, 12:31:56 pm

The wheel that will fit depends the age/model of your coach. If you look at one of the wheels, it will have the Alcoa part number close to the studs. It will also list the maximum air pressure for the wheel stamped into the aluminum. Go to the Alcoa site http://www.alcoa.com/alcoawheels/north_america/en/wheels.asp and enter the application and fill in the information. You will need to measure the bolt circle on your coach. Or, you can just enter the Alcoa part number off your wheel.

The Alcoa information should give you the part number for both polished as well as matte finished wheels along with the offset, etc.

Alcoa wheels are super inexpensive when compared to car "mags" or aluminum wheels. Unlike 99% of car aluminum wheels, the Alcoa aluminum wheel is forged not a casting. This means it will not chunk off pieces in an accident or suddenly fail. Forgings just bend. Porsche is the other brand I can think of that uses forged aluminum wheels. About 1/4 the size but many times the cost.

Pierce

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #32 – July 30, 2015, 01:07:52 pm

The previous owner of my coach was a sheet metal installer who traveled around to boiler plants putting in fancy high temperature steel insulation. He installed steel insulation around the entire inside of both the main engine and generator compartments and did a very professional job that looks like it came from Foretravel. It works very well but it's really expensive stuff so he's probably the only person who would do something like that. He also negotiated a new Michelin mounted on a new Alcoa aluminum wheel into the deal when he bought the coach. He fabricated a fancy aluminum tire carrier thingy to put the mounted tire / wheel inside in the cargo bay and it makes a nice shelf to collect a big pile of junk that I throw into the cargo bay... which means I shouldn't have mentioned it cuz now someone is gonna want me to dig all that junk out so I can photograph the tire carrier... I've never needed the spare tire in all my travels so far, but I'm always traveling in remote areas without cell phone coverage. It's comforting to have options. I think you also need to carry at least one fuel injector with you at all times, at least one set of fuel filters for both the coach and genset, an oil filter for the coach, enough oil to change the engine oil if you blow an injector and it pumps fuel into the oil, a full set of belts for the coach and genset, at least one or two airbags if yours are 15+ years old, a spare domestic water pump, a set of tools (duh), light bulbs, fuses, wire, connectors, silicone caulk, duct tape, baling twine, bubble gum, and service manuals. These are all things I've needed so far in my three plus years of driving and camping all over. So if you're carrying a spare tire you should carry all the other parts you're gonna need too. The other parts are smaller and lighter to carry and more useful, at least in my case so far. Tire problems seem to be kinda rare if you take the time to visually check your tires every morning with an air gauge before you start driving. For extra peace of mind every time you stop driving get out and whop the tires with a hammer and notice the bounce. A lot of people on this forum have fancy computerized tire monitor thingys. Don't rely on those. Get out and visually check your tires every time you stop. I nearly lost a trailer tire earlier this year but caught it just before it blew because I got out and visually checked it. I saw a huge bulge and a split cord in the tire tread. A tire monitor would have informed me of the tire problem immediately AFTER the tire blew, which would have been a big help... not

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #33 – July 30, 2015, 01:23:29 pm

Went out to the U300 and found the info is on the outside area of the rim very readable on the rear wheels. Sorry about the bad location in the first post.

OK, for a 1993 U300, we take the following wheel from the stamped info:

Alcoa Forged Made in the USA, Date with month/year, part number 88311 2 for the polished, 88311 0 for the matte finished, 22.5"X 8.5" offset 15 degrees D.C. Max load 7200 lbs, Max pressure 120 psi (130 psi cold at Alcoa's site) Note that the 88311 is the general part number with the last number indicating the finish.

This wheel just reverses for the inside/outside. Before a long trip, might be a good idea to remove wheels and studs (with flip socket) clean and Anti-Seize lightly on threads only: Amazon.com: Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant with Brush Top Bottle, 8...

Everything you ever wanted to know about Alcoa wheels from the official Alcoa site. Use command + to make it readable size: http://www.alcoa.com/alcoawheels/catalog/pdf/HDSM022004_en.pdf

Bench grinder with wire brush cleans the threads nicely.

Hope this helps.

Pierce

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Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #34 – July 30, 2015, 03:47:26 pm

Have been doing some drawings and some head scratching as our back door does not open like it does on the CC coach shown in video (unless you are Dave M too) and that fact changes the mechanics of holder some what. I am gong to make a mock up of an idea as see how it does. Should not be hard to figure it all out, and no infringement of copyright.
Will post pictures when I get that far along with all the other issues I am dealing with right now! !
Johnh

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #35 – July 30, 2015, 03:59:04 pm

How about using a 2" receiver extension as a platform for building a spare mount? Here is a guy that made a mount for his "spare tire.": RV NOW: Motorhome tires are huge so where do you carry a spare?

Pierce

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #36 – July 30, 2015, 04:11:54 pm

With his set up you have to remove the tire to get in engine compartment and I do not want to have to do that. I also want it to be off to one side of door and not use the hitch, and am working on using the large box section tube that is open on both sides of engine mount frame. If my idea works it will drop down and slide out of door way.
Johnh

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #37 – July 31, 2015, 11:10:06 am

Our FT have a tripe hitch. I have plans to build a swing arm spare tire carrier, like they have after market bumper spare tire carrier for Jeep Wranglers .... you know project number 7 ... not 77 anymore .. thank God, all must done projects and most of want projects are done, now i can focus on those fancy things like a swing a way spare tire. For now we have the spare tire (only) in under storage bay.

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #38 – July 31, 2015, 01:29:36 pm

So I have done the wood mockup of what needs to be done for our engine door clearance and it will work. A removable support bracket will be bolted to the large tubular box frame and will allow the tire to be dropped out of way so the door can be opened for any service etc work without having to take the tire off the frame. A sliding pce will fit on "lever" and that will carry the tire so it can be moved out of way to clear corner of door. I will fabricate this slide and use nylon strips inside to make it slide easy. This "slide" will also be able to rotate so wheel when sitting on ground can roll and make it easy to move, and of course this will also incorporate the
tire holding lug bolts. There are a few important bits that I did not put on test piece as I know what they have to be. The last picture shows general location of stored wheel when locked in place.
Due to job load at present I will not get around to actually making unit for at least a fe weeks but hope to have it done before our trip in mid Sept.
JohnH

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #39 – July 31, 2015, 01:53:46 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – July 31, 2015, 01:29:36 pm

So I have done the wood mockup of what needs to be done for our engine door clearance and it will work.

John,

Are those backup lights hiding behind the grille in the engine door?

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #40 – July 31, 2015, 02:03:06 pm

I'm hoping this could be mounted on either side. In case you have a ladder on the right.
Looks like a great idea John.

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #41 – July 31, 2015, 04:30:00 pm

John, great job on the mock up!

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #42 – July 31, 2015, 06:28:20 pm

David, yes 2 of them.
We have a ladder on the right above the tire carrier (the bottom section was removed years ago. This system can be moved to the left side as there is an identical tube in same location from centre of coach-but to the left.
JohnH

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #43 – July 31, 2015, 08:04:07 pm

I put my spare carrier in my wrangler trailer hitch. Worked well.

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #44 – July 31, 2015, 08:33:16 pm

John,

Good idea! The dogs can go in through the back doors. Did you use a cargo carrier in your receiver like HF has in their catalogue?

Pierce

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #45 – July 31, 2015, 08:40:30 pm

I had one built that would lay flat when I pulled the pin. I could open the back of the jeep that way.

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #46 – August 01, 2015, 12:14:01 am

Peirce, I have not made it yet but will be custom making all the parts and using heavy walled tube etc for it. I do not want any vibration/ sloppy fits and rattles. The tube I am using to fit into is 4" x 3" so those hitch parts are no good.
John S- I was thinking of making it flip down but the angle of the door on its upswing made that a tough one and with the weight of a tire- awkward. The slide out style I will be using is just as quick and easy I think?? Again using the hitch would not work out if the car is in tow as said before these doors make things touchy and you have to think around them or you will never get to service etc without taking everything off.
JohnH

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #47 – August 01, 2015, 12:11:41 pm

I bought a used tire from Herman Power in NAC to take as a spare. It is in good shape and is newer than the tires on the coach. I bought it before we went on North to Alaska 2014 Motorcade. It lies in the joey bed in the storage compartment of our 36' coach. I cleaned it up a bit before putting it in the coach. The tire is not on a wheel, so I am able store stuff in the tire.

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #48 – August 08, 2015, 07:25:16 pm

Ina e a spare tire mounted on an Alcoa rim, but so far have not carried it when we travel. I might mount it on the back of the Wrangler so I can have it along.

Re: Carry a spare tire? (split from another topic)

Reply #49 – September 26, 2015, 10:02:11 pm

With a lot of measuring under the front I still cant envision mounting a spare under the front of Toby. I had been getting ready to start searching out a picture of a 280 with the spare mounted front and center (watch cars move out of the way then. After seeing the hitch in the link I think I know what I will be doing until I buy a trailer and then that hitch will go on the tongue of the trailer or a new storage in the trailer floor will be fabbed in all the spare time I don't really have.

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