Spare tire carrier

[Dave W]

On our '14 Montana 343RL High Country we have the usual Lippert belly mounted spare. Where the manufacturer installed it behind the rear axle it will drag on very high crown secondary or CG roads or even raised gas station tank fills. I've done done both and have slightly bent one of the mount angles. It sounds like a good idea to have it there, but a High Country is pretty low to start. I don't care much for a bumper mounted spare, but feel like there is only that alternative or throwing the spare in the truck bed. This trailer has a pretty much recessed bumper but it looks like the Ultra Fab carrier will work. Has anyone else done this bumper mounted carrier on a High Country or it's 1st cousin once removed, a Cougar outback? It puts a pretty heavy tire (a 48# LT) and wheel on that 4" bumper.

[mowin]

My Laredo has a bumper mounted spare, but I don't have a recessed bumper. I'd rather have it on the bumper than under the unit, or the bed of my truck.

[gearhead]

I took my spare and put it in the storage bay. Then later had a heavy duty bumper installed. I bought a Ultrafab spare mount but it allowed the spare to hang down several inches below the bumper. That looked like it would drag to me. I got some 3/8" plate and mounted that to the bumper with 4 grade 8, 3/8" bolts. I used the part of the Ultrafab to bolt on the spare wheel. So far so good.

[Dave W]

Originally Posted by gearhead

I took my spare and put it in the storage bay. Then later had a heavy duty bumper installed. I bought a Ultrafab spare mount but it allowed the spare to hang down several inches below the bumper. That looked like it would drag to me. I got some 3/8" plate and mounted that to the bumper with 4 grade 8, 3/8" bolts. I used the part of the Ultrafab to bolt on the spare wheel. So far so good.

Yep, that's one of the reasons I opened this thread. My new Ultra Fab bracket just showed up a few minutes ago and I just tried a quick fit up on the bumper. Whatever it is, it will be a LOT better then hanging under the 5er with only ~4" of road clearance. I'll do a rethink if there's a problem and use some of the odd pieces of steel I have laying around and MIG up a mod if necessary. Might do some frame mounted wheels or skids instead if it tends to drag

[lifecamper]

The only problem my spare tire mount on the 4" square bumper has had is that it twists the 4" tube and pops the ends out. I am in the process of making a bracket that will stop the twist and add a receiver hitch. I would much rather have a spare mount than have it under the trailer or in the back of the truck. JMHO

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by lifecamper

The only problem my spare tire mount on the 4" square bumper has had is that it twists the 4" tube and pops the ends out. I am in the process of making a bracket that will stop the twist and add a receiver hitch. I would much rather have a spare mount than have it under the trailer or in the back of the truck. JMHO

The factory bumpers aren't much more than tack welded on. And what is supporting them to the frame is paper thin.
Yeah, I never understood why folks want the spare underneath. The last place I want it.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by Dave W

Yep, that's one of the reasons I opened this thread. My new Ultra Fab bracket just showed up a few minutes ago and I just tried a quick fit up on the bumper. Whatever it is, it will be a LOT better then hanging under the 5er with only ~4" of road clearance. I'll do a rethink if there's a problem and use some of the odd pieces of steel I have laying around and MIG up a mod if necessary. Might do some frame mounted wheels or skids instead if it tends to drag

I had wheels on the Cougar and they got used occasionally. I think I would rather have some skids. Just turn the leading edge upward so they won't hook something and weld them to something solid. I think the diameter of the wheels actually caused them to contact.
The plates that were added for my new bumper will hopefully perform the same function.