Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Spare tire mount U280 (Read 446 times) previous topic - next topic

Spare tire mount U280

Hi,

A few weeks back there was a discussion about spare tire storage and I mentioned mine was forward of the front axle- Pierce had asked for a picture and here it is, I thought it was standard FT but maybe custom?
Dan 1989 U280 40'

Re: Spare tire mount U280

Reply #1 –
Hard to tell from the photo - looks like that tire is centered, and right behind the front fiberglass "spoiler".  If so, that same space on our '93 GV is occupied by 2 air tanks, so would not work for us.  Will be interesting to hear if any other coaches have that mount.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Spare tire mount U280

Reply #2 –
Chuck, you are correct on the location. 
Dan 1989 U280 40'

Re: Spare tire mount U280

Reply #3 –
Thanks for the photo. I must have crawled under ours a dozen times trying to figure out how to mount the spare there. Not too much trouble to move the air tanks on ours but think the tow receivers would have to be modified and then the spare would hang down pretty far. As I remember, I said a VW Vanagon spare tire type holder would allow the front of the tire to drop down to the ground and then slide out.

How close to the ground is it? Is it hidden away a little or obvious? Going to have to take still another look.

Thanks again.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Spare tire mount U280

Reply #4 –
Hi Pierce,

You can see the drivers side tow receiver in the picture and the bottom of the bumper the white on the left- that should give you an idea of the height- ground clearance isn't an issue.  After studying the picture and thinking about it, maybe the channel iron on the left has been added to be flush with the big box beam on the right- thus giving a flat surface for the tire to mount? 

Air bags are flat- she hasn't come out of hibernation from winter storage yet, but hopefully in a couple weeks ::)  Got 3 kids at home still in summer sports.
Dan 1989 U280 40'

Re: Spare tire mount U280

Reply #5 –
Is that just a spare tire, or is the tire mounted on a wheel?  How is it retained?  Just wondering how much hassle it would be to get it out of there in a "blown tire" scenario, especially if a front tire was gone. Coach would be sitting a lot lower on one side in the front...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Spare tire mount U280

Reply #6 –
Chuck,

GVs have a ton of ground clearance in the front and even with a flat front tire, if you have air pressure you should have clearance. You are going to have to jack it up to change the tire anyway so using a HF air/hydraulic jack makes it fast and easy. Very easy if a Vanagon design mount is used for the spare to unlock it, slowly drop it's front to the ground and slide it out. Otherwise, very difficult with a very heavy tire and wheel. The Vanagon type pivots on two points at the rear with one attachment at the front to unlock and lower. Would need a little rigging to allow lowering and raising without too much effort.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Spare tire mount U280

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Would need a little rigging to allow lowering and raising without too much effort.

If Don ((AKA Don & Tys (AKA acousticart)) built one of these spare tire carriers, it would be constructed of polished aluminum, with titanium hinges, and a remote control electronic mechanism to raise and lower the platform...PLUS a braided stainless steel inflater hose to automatically maintain optimum temperature corrected tire pressure.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Spare tire mount U280

Reply #8 –

Don't forget the LED lighting package to highlight these mods, and a sheet of mirror polished stainless to put under the front of the coach so you can see them without bending over! :D
Don
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
If Don ((AKA Don & Tys (AKA acousticart)) built one of these spare tire carriers, it would be constructed of polished aluminum, with titanium hinges, and a remote control electronic mechanism to raise and lower the platform...PLUS a braided stainless steel inflater hose to automatically maintain optimum temperature corrected tire pressure.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson