Spare Tire Disappeared

Stanbro · 08-22-2018, 07:39 AM

I crawled under my new Alpine 5th wheel today looking for a place to mount an outdoor temperature sensor. Much to my shock, the spare wheel/tire was gone! The cable hoist that holds it in place was in perfect condition and there was only 1/2 inch of slack in the cable. No evidence of damage either.

Has anyone else had this happen? Do they just fall off sometimes or is this a case of theft?

Javi · 08-22-2018, 07:49 AM

somebody done stole it..

Stanbro · 08-22-2018, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javi

somebody done stole it..

Is stealing a single wheel/tire something common? What value is it?

This has really flummoxed me.

Javi · 08-22-2018, 08:10 AM

Somebody needed a trailer tire or $10 to buy a hit..

Stealing is very common...

rhagfo · 08-22-2018, 08:14 AM

Are you sure it was there before? You state NEW Alpine.

**JRTJH** · 08-22-2018, 08:17 AM

If the spare tire/wheel had "dropped away" from the trailer mount while towing, it would have an extremely difficult time passing under the axles without twisting and bouncing. That would have probably torn up the underside of the trailer and, at a minimum, left some significant scarring/scratching/marking on the coroplast underbelly. If there's no damage aft of the spare tire mount, I'd suspect that as Javi stated, somebody stole it.

When was the last time you "know" it was there? That might help you narrow down where you were "when it went missing"....

notanlines · 08-22-2018, 09:07 AM

If it was stolen then the thief would have left the cable DOWN and rolled the tire away. Your cable was UP.
You didn’t get it in the first place is my vote.

Bob Landry · 08-22-2018, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

If it was stolen then the thief would have left the cable DOWN and rolled the tire away. Your cable was UP.
You didn’t get it in the first place is my vote.

My thought also. No thief is going to stop and tidy up before leaving.

AbHDToyHauler · 08-22-2018, 10:12 AM

Ditto. Once they have what they want they flee. Probably wasn't on there to begin with.

rhagfo · 08-22-2018, 10:49 AM

Was there during the PDI???

Alpine · 08-22-2018, 10:59 AM

I'm gonna go with the others.... that is was not there at the time of sale!

Any chance that you have your own pictures taken of the rv that may have an angle to show a spare in that photo? I ask because looking at photos taken of mine, shows a spare!

Javi · 08-22-2018, 10:59 AM

I've had them put my battery box top and strap back on and my propane bottle cover back in place..

datasponge · 08-23-2018, 02:05 PM

We used to keep our old TT at an RV dealership that also had outdoor storage. They tarilers/rv's parked there got hit by theives a couple of times... one night they were grabbing spare tires. We were one of the lucky victims. Ridiculous.

Stanbro · 08-23-2018, 03:31 PM

I am the OP.

The spare tire was definitely there when I picked up the trailer. The top side of the metal bracket that goes through the center hole of the wheel and is attached to the cable hoist has wear marks that indicate it once had a wheel hanging from it. There are also circular dust marks on the two right-angle stops on the underside of the trailer that the tire gets pulled up against.

The spare is/was mounted behind the axles so it is remotely possible that it could come loose and not do any damage as it departed. I travel across a bumpy gravel road going to/from my house and travel below 10 MPH for over 1 mile to reduce dust. Perhaps I will find it along the side of the road when I get back from our current outing.

Thanks to everyone who replied. I appreciate your input.

coop341 · 08-23-2018, 03:47 PM

I got my trailer from Mike Thompson RV in Fountain Valley, a new Cougar 25RES. I was going round the trailer checking and topping off air pressure in all the tires. After I was done with the road tires, I checked the spare. “Huh, that looks like a different brand from the 4 on the road”. Took a closer look, 4 road tires are load range E tires, spare is load range D. I’m assuming dealer is responsible for supplying spare tire?

Ken / Claudia · 08-23-2018, 05:37 PM

Years ago in a Nissan P/U with a under bed spare hanging on a cable came off as I drove over RR tracks. That I heard and seen in the mirror. I do not recall the why it came off.

notanlines · 08-23-2018, 09:51 PM

Stanbro, now that’s info we can use! Hope you have a little luck.

**flybouy** · 08-24-2018, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coop341

I got my trailer from Mike Thompson RV in Fountain Valley, a new Cougar 25RES. I was going round the trailer checking and topping off air pressure in all the tires. After I was done with the road tires, I checked the spare. “Huh, that looks like a different brand from the 4 on the road”. Took a closer look, 4 road tires are load range E tires, spare is load range D. I’m assuming dealer is responsible for supplying spare tire?

During the PDI when we bought our current unit I noticed the blank tank dump valve was missing the handle. The tech went over to the next unit waiting to be delivered and removed the handle and installed it on my unit and said they often fall off in transit. I've wondered if he ever went back and replaced the one he "borrowed". Maybe your spare was "borrowed" also.

Javi · 08-24-2018, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coop341

I got my trailer from Mike Thompson RV in Fountain Valley, a new Cougar 25RES. I was going round the trailer checking and topping off air pressure in all the tires. After I was done with the road tires, I checked the spare. “Huh, that looks like a different brand from the 4 on the road”. Took a closer look, 4 road tires are load range E tires, spare is load range D. I’m assuming dealer is responsible for supplying spare tire?

If I remember correctly, I saw a recall on that or something like it.. where the spare didn't match the sticker...

Dave W · 08-24-2018, 04:28 AM

All it takes is a 3/4: wrench to drop that wheel and tire. Someone needed a tire, was RV knowledgeable and it was a done deal for him. I carry our spare in the truck bed with a heavy chain and hardened padlock and lashed to a tie down. It wont stop a thief but might send him off to easier pickings, This was done after dragging that belly mounted spare on road and gas station high spots.
Check your insurance company. You may be fine unless your deductible is too high. I would opt for a match to the 4 on the axles even if it cost a few buck out of my pocket

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