Hide-A-Spare

[GmaPaTime]

Just completed installing a Hide-A-Spare tire mount. Was a straight forward install and only took a couple of hours. Used (4) grade 8 bolts on each mounting plate. Dulled my cobalt drills though

[chuckster57]

Very nice install. Was your spare on the back bumper before?

[Larry1013]

Looks great!!

Can you give a little more information such as the location you mounted it, ie., fore or aft axles, how close to front if in the front, frame style (I or Z), etc and maybe a few pics from each side with more of the 5'r showing.

Thanks

[GmaPaTime]

chuckster57.... Yes, spare was on bumper. Hated it there and have plains for a generator box mod down the road.

Installed forward of axles, even distance between the steps and tire. My frame is an "I" beam which made the install easier since the mounting plates are "Z" shaped and lay right on the flange of the beam so I didn't have to make sure it was level.

[Fishhawk]

Looks great!!
I'm planning on doing that same install
If it ever stops raining around here 😀

Thanks for sharing

👍👍

[GBR]

Very nice install Steve. As you know this is to be my next install given I bent the rear mounted tire holder leaving a gas station. I assume that I will have an identical install as you. Where did you get your BAL? I will be departing Ottawa in the next week and hope to pick one up on my way south.

George

[GmaPaTime]

George... I purchased mine at MakariosRV.com

Best price I could find @ $81 plus $14 S/H.

[GBR]

Thanks Steve. Will check out the site. That was a great price. I note you bolted versus the self tapping screws which is the route I will also take.
George

[Larry1013]

Installed the 28218 (enclosed under belly with I-Beam frame) Hide-A-Spare this week. Was a lot easier than I thought as i looked at the pictures on various websites. It took more time going back and forth between tool shed and trailer than to actually install it. Took about 2 and half hours total.

Use location similar to GmaPaTime. Right in front of the front wheels.

Since I didn't want to take down the coraplast underbelly to use 5/16" bolts as suggested in the instructions, I clamped the mounting flange to the lower lip of the I beam. I drilled 3 each 5/16" holes through the I beam frame lip and mounting flange. After bolting the mounting flange to the lip of the I beam, I drilled 4 holes into the side of the I beam side through 4 of the 6 existing holes in the mounting flange. I used #14 sheet metal screws in these holes.

That many bolts and screws might be over kill, but I feel assured it will not fall off nor come loose.

I checked MakariosRV.com but their shipping is now listed as 117.00 to Alabama. I bought it off eBay for $102 with free shipping. Received it the next day since item was in Georgia.

[GBR]

Hi Larry;
Reading your post and trying to visualize your install versus Steves. If you get a chance to post a few pictures, that would be greatly appreciated.

George

[Larry1013]

Originally Posted by GBR

Hi Larry;
Reading your post and trying to visualize your install versus Steves. If you get a chance to post a few pictures, that would be greatly appreciated.

George

George, here are some photos. Hopefully you can make out what I did.

The first 2 photos are from the right side of trailer, off highway side should you have to stop along highway to change a tire. The second pic on the right side you can see one of the bolts going down through the flange/mounting bracket and the I-beam lip. You can also see the #14 sheet metal screws and the one skirt brace I had to relocate.

The next 3 photos show the highway side of the mount. The first photo shows the relation on my trailer with the 3" drain and the front tire. In the second photo, you can see the #14 sheet metal screws through the side of the I-beam. In the 3rd photo you can see where i drilled down through the flange/mounting bracket and lower I-beam lip for the bolts.

[GBR]

Hey Larry;
Thanks for the great pictures. That puppy is not ever coming off by itself. After looking under my unit it appears the best place is behind by axel as I have exposed I-beam on both sides. I will still likey be faced with same issue Steve had in having to cut a piece of the under cover to bolt in the unit. Next step is to pick up a unit and see where that takes me. Again, thanks fit sharing so quickly.

George