Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Topic: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath? (Read 1678 times) previous topic - next topic

Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

October 03, 2017, 05:03:50 pm

As the new owner of a 1991 GV, I am not exactly excited about the prospect of having the spare wheel/tire sitting way up on top, in the rear clam-shell box.

It was placed there by a guy with a fork-lift style attachment for a large farm tractor. Getting it down if I need it might be dangerous, but putting it, or a damaged/flat wheel and tire back up there is an even more daunting concept.

Has anyone ever come up with a method of mounting the spare underneath the coach? Looking under the front, it seems as though there "might" be enough room in a couple of locations. I did not take a tape measure with me when I was crawling around....

I'd sure like to get it off of the roof, if anyone has any suggestions. And my wife says "NO" to putting it in the closet inside!

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #1 – October 03, 2017, 05:08:26 pm

Tell us what GV you have-- there were several different chassis used in 1991.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #2 – October 03, 2017, 06:03:56 pm

Why would you even want to carry a spare? And why take up all that room for not only the spare, But the equipment needed to change it. That's why there are roadside emergency services available. Even if you keep the spare. It would still be wise to have a roadside emergency service for the other things that may crop up on your adventure.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #3 – October 03, 2017, 06:23:21 pm

Quote from: ILikeToTravel – October 03, 2017, 05:03:50 pm

Looking under the front, it seems as though there "might" be enough room in a couple of locations. I did not take a tape measure with me when I was crawling around....

Take the tape measure next time - you'll see that it probably would not fit and still allow room for the suspension to operate. Besides, getting the tire up and down from that position would be almost impossible sitting in the bar ditch on the side of the road.

Some members carry a mounted spare in one of the storage bays. Some just carry a good unmounted tire. Takes up a lot of valuable cargo room. As you have noted, carrying a spare up on the roof is possible, but not real practical.

Agree with Bigdog - unless you are a glutton for punishment and possess superhuman strength, I wouldn't worry about carrying a mounted spare. Keep good tires on your coach, and keep them properly inflated. Get a good roadside breakdown insurance policy, keep it paid up, and hope you never need it. It has worked for us for 4 years (knock on wood).

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #4 – October 03, 2017, 06:41:53 pm

Actually, many years ago, I recall seeing a mounting that did allow the carrying of a mounted spare under the front end.

Sorry, do not recall which chassis this was on or exactly how they mounted it.

Agree, I would not do it. Even when traveling deep into Mexico where our size tire was not available, just carried an unmounted spare tire on the roof with a Sunbrella cover to keep UV light off it.

Yes, used a fork lift to get it up there. But really easy to get down! And, no interest in putting a bad tire back up there.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #5 – October 03, 2017, 07:31:44 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – October 03, 2017, 06:41:53 pm

just carried an unmounted spare tire on the roof with a Sunbrella cover to keep UV light off it. Yes, used a fork lift to get it up there. But really easy to get down! And, no interest in putting a bad tire back up there.

It's still up there! With different size Michelins now, it is coming down (by gravity) when we get to Ajo!

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #6 – October 03, 2017, 08:14:22 pm

Carrying a spare is on my wish list too. I have to get to work on the mondays and waiting for a tire for a couple days isn't a good option. Also nothing like being held hostage on the price of a tire because they know they have you by the short and curlies.

Another reason I should get rid of the dolly and get a trailer, another place to mount said spare.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #7 – October 03, 2017, 08:16:58 pm

People mount motorcycles on the front of their coach so why not a spare tire?
Engine & radiator are in the rear, so why not up front?
Can't weigh as much as a motorcycle?
Put a nice fitted cover on it, like one sees on the back of RV trailers.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #8 – October 03, 2017, 09:26:53 pm

Tire could go right behind the Puch.
3Pcs Tire Changer Tire Mount Demount Tool tools tubeless truck 17.5" to 24" Kit Get this set and change your own.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #9 – October 03, 2017, 09:47:04 pm

Brett, FTX Oshkosh's ORED's could fit a 9r22.5 under the front. Fit quite a few back then. Roof pod worked also

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #10 – October 03, 2017, 11:40:08 pm

Thanks for some words of encouragement, and those who frown on the idea... I do appreciate your honest opinions.

The chassis is Oshkosh, and the code GVF ORED SBI is right, I think. Underneath and in front of the axle is the hydraulics for the lift/level system. The tire and wheel might hang down, but still would not be as low as the axle itself, I don't think.

The other option would be behind the axle, in front of the fuel tank. That space is pretty much "open".

Just so no one thinks I have lost a grip on reality, what I have in mind is a tethered system like used on many SUV's and others where the spare is carried in the rear and underneath. I'd be attaching cross-bracing between the frame rails, and using a much sturdier than SUV crank-cable lift setup. Custom made parts, and some scavenged ones might get it done, if it will fit and not interfere with any of the current equipment. The wheel is the 6-lug aluminum 22.5 X 6.75 rim, and the tire is a Toyo 245/75.

Being a new owner, I have tons of questions. Before I ask, I'll be searching earlier posts, so as not to hash out old topics. If I can't find something, then you might see me here.

As for why I intend to always carry a spare, and a mounted one at that: It is a Basic Safety Net. I will have what is necessary to change it myself if need be. Yes, I already have a roadside service setup in place, but you can't always count on that! When I want to go somewhere, or get back from wherever, I don't want to wait for help which never seems to come quickly enough. I wish I'd have taken a video of the spare being lifted up on top, but I was busy being the guy on the roof.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #11 – October 04, 2017, 01:03:34 am

I used to camp in remote areas and always carried an unmounted spare in the back of my toad, a Suzuki Samurai. It was easy to get it in and out, and when I was camped and wanted more room in the Samurai I rolled it out and either leaned it against the front of the coach or used it as a platform (with a piece of plywood) for my portable generator.
I have always had a road service. The benefits of having a spare are:
1. you have one and
2. it will keep you from getting gouged on the price of a replacement.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #12 – October 04, 2017, 02:47:11 am

Of course it's always "to each their own". I simply use my history with flat tires and come to the conclusion that they are rather uncommon enough that I have no need to lug around a 70-80 lb three foot tall tire.
If it is simply a nail puncture under 3/8" in the crown area and not a delamination. The tire can be repaired by reaming the hole with a low speed carbide cutter to cut away the steel belt strands, then put in a vulcanized rubber plug with a cloth or rubber reinforced patch on the inner liner. This is according to the RMA. And can be done by most any tire shop that can dismount a commercial tire.

I have had ZERO flats or delaminations in 1.3 million miles on the three semis I have owned. Did have a delamination on a FedEx supplied trailer though. The last actual flat I had on a car I owned was around 15 years ago. But have had two nails recently that were slow leakers and repaired by Les Schwab.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #13 – October 04, 2017, 05:24:48 am

I will say as a professional truck driver and truck owner. I drive just under 90k a year. My advice is run 295/22.5 tires on your coach if they will fit. Keep good rubber on it. Stay off of the shoulders of roads, don't scrub sidewalls on curbs. Inspect for rocks etc stuck in treads at every fuel stop and on pretrip/ postrip inspections. Check air pressure with gauge before trips. I would not worry about carrying s spare. 295/22.5 tires are everywhere. One exception if you boondock in the outback with little to no services.
My last tire issue was 5 years ago after I struck debris in the road at night in the dark. That's just under 400,000 miles ago.jmo

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #14 – October 04, 2017, 07:44:11 am

If you are not pulling anything. I would build a spare tire rack that inserts into the receiver hitch on the rear

wantabe

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #15 – October 04, 2017, 07:52:03 am

Quote from: ILikeToTravel – October 03, 2017, 11:40:08 pm

Thanks for some words of encouragement, and those who frown on the idea... I do appreciate your honest opinions.

You'll find when you ask a question around here, you will get many opinions. Some are based on varied experiences, some on "common sense" (a commodity in short supply these days), and some are just wild guesses. As the coach owner, it is up to you to sort out the wheat from the chaff. You sound like a Do It Yerself kind of guy. We like those types around here - they are often the ones who lead the way down uncharted paths. Whatever you decide to do about the spare tire, please take photos and post them so we can all benefit from your activity. As you can see, there IS some interest in finding a convenient way to carry a mounted spare - we are just waiting for the right person (you, perhaps?) to figure out the solution.

When you get a chance, please fill in some basic info in your signature. You can do that on your profile page. Being able to see at a glance what year/model coach you drive makes it much easier to answer your questions. You might also provide us a shorter "nickname", so we don't have to call you Mr. ILikeToTravel every time we address you.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #16 – October 04, 2017, 07:52:57 am

Quote from: wantabe – October 04, 2017, 07:44:11 am

If you are not pulling anything. I would build a spare tire rack that inserts into the receiver hitch on the rear

wantabe

The problem with that is on our 91 model year coaches, to access the oil dipstick and coolant etc the rear engine door swings out towards the passenger side. I am afraid the tire would stick up to high. Also we have rear radiators and the engine fan blows air out through the radiator. Having something that close to the radiator might interfere with engine cooling. Im not positive but would not want it on my rig myself.
I have seen these swing down units and if cooling was not a problem this might serve the purpose. Although it would be a pain checking oil at the start of each trip.
Roadmaster Hitch Mounted Spare Tire Carrier w/ 2" Receiver Opening - 2"...

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #17 – October 04, 2017, 07:57:09 am

Quote from: stump – October 04, 2017, 05:24:48 am

I will say as a professional truck driver and truck owner. I drive just under 90k a year. My advice is run 295/22.5 tires on your coach if they will fit. Keep good rubber on it. Stay off of the shoulders of roads, don't scrub sidewalls on curbs. Inspect for rocks etc stuck in treads at every fuel stop and on pretrip/ postrip inspections. Check air pressure with gauge before trips. I would not worry about carrying s spare. 295/22.5 tires are everywhere. One exception if you boondock in the outback with little to no services.
My last tire issue was 5 years ago after I struck debris in the road at night in the dark. That's just under 400,000 miles ago.jmo

I would like to say that this information is so good and accurate. As an owner-operator of a fleet of charter buses, when we followed this advice listed above we had little tire issues. Generally speaking, most tire issues we did have was the direct result of how the driver was driving or not maintaining his/her tires. We never carried spares even though there were special mounts for them on buses. Simply, just too heavy for a driver to handle alone and why worry about a spare tire mounted somewhere coming loose and taking off while driving.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #18 – October 04, 2017, 10:12:27 am

I had a enclosed spare on a previous coach, had not noticed I needed a front end alignment and rounded off a steer tire. Put the spare on, it blew in twenty miles. Spare turned out to be dry as a bone!

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #19 – October 04, 2017, 11:05:22 am

We have a spare and an air jack in our only storage compartment. Won't turn a wheel without it. Used it once and the R&R took about 20 minutes. Since we live in an area without cell coverage and many of our campsites are without coverage, it's not smart not to have a spare. It's just not that hard to change a tire if you are prepared for it.

Pierce

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #20 – October 04, 2017, 12:20:58 pm

That hitch mount tire carrier looks ace. I wonder if the OP's rig has sufficient structural support up front that he could weld up a receiver out the front?

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #21 – October 04, 2017, 12:52:49 pm

Quote from: ILikeToTravel – October 03, 2017, 11:40:08 pm

Thanks for some words of encouragement, and those who frown on the idea... I do appreciate your honest opinions.

I wouldn't say anyone frowns on it. Just been our particular individual experience that tire issues are not an issue to the point that we feel compelled to haul one around.
As most flats are from nails or small screws that create a leak that deflates over time when we fail to notice them. It makes sense to me that as we all have electricity & an air supply. Just make up a roadside kit consisting of a low speed electric drill, carbide cutter and Vulcanized rubber plug kit. That would get you under way and on the way to a tire shop to inspect the inside of the tire and apply the inner patch.
If you are intent on a spare. That receiver hitch tire carrier looks like the way to go.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #22 – October 04, 2017, 01:21:29 pm

I carry a mounted spare in the centre of the front (4 foot) basement storage. Bolt heads in the floor keep it from moving when driving.
I still have sufficient storage space when I travel south each winter for 5 months. The space required to do this is why I bought a 40 foot rather then a 36 foot. The jacks and tools required are carried inside the rim (except for the 500 ftLB torque wrench which is too long). The 275/80R22.5 tire with rim is 190 pounds so leverage is required to install it, but even at 74, with planning, I can change the tire solo. Even travelling major highways from Canada to California, there are long lonely stretches of road where rescue would take at least several hours, or perhaps days. I also travel in Mexico where being stranded on a road would be frightening, particularly after dark. In seven years and 35,000 miles I have not it. The one low tire from a bolt picked up on the I5, was repaired at a truck stop in southern California, because I saw the low pressure during my morning walk around. Lucky, that new tire (1100 miles) could have been shredded.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #23 – October 04, 2017, 01:27:46 pm

In the last post I meant:
In seven years and 35,000 miles I have not used the spare. I do agree that perhaps tire plugs and air is sufficient, so may not replace the spare when it reaches ten years old.

Re: Carrying a Spare.... Underneath?

Reply #24 – October 04, 2017, 01:46:15 pm

Using the onboard air, any good HF air impact will take a tire off. For a ~~little~~ more cash, a small, battery powered impact will loosen the most stubborn truck lug nut. I watched a AAA truck use one on our coach. One battery quickly pulled all the nuts with a fresh battery to torque them. If you use NeverSeez, you only need around 300 lbs to loosen/tighten the nuts.

Tubeless plugs are great to carry. They also work on leaking airbags.

A lot of AAA's Indian Country map will only have the tribal cell service so you can be out of cell reception for several days. We use Verizon's overseas service for Mexico (Canada also). $2/day and only on the days you use it. Europe is $10/day for the days you use it.

Pierce

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