[sourdough]

"On first trip out the spare tire almost came off. Not sure I didn't drag it on something. The rack was bent in two places. The center support was bent into a V shape. The spare was riding with the bottom trailing. Big hammer and a four-way fixed it at the campsite. Dealer logo spare tire cover is probably on I-59 somewhere. Didn't want that cover anyhow."


I would bet you drug the spare. You have to watch VERY carefully for driveways/entries etc. that have much of an incline 1n/out or you can catch the spare.

I've hung mine twice and had to do exactly what you describe. After the 1st incident I knew to watch my entrance/exits much more closely, but, on my way back from FL last year I pulled into a station "thinking" the exit looked OK going back onto the street.....but, I could not see beyond the curb. Behind it the drive had a very big drop to the street and an instant rise. There was no way to back out of it or get crossways enough to minimize the dip so I had to bite the bullet. Drove the rest of the way to the next campsite with the spare sticking out backwards. I carry a small sledge with me all the time now for that particular repair.....if it ever happens again, which I hope it doesn't.

I replaced my cover with one from BestTop. Much higher quality than the OEM. It's just black and there are other fancier ones out there you might prefer.