Spare tire carrier

[GaryUT]

In the picture below you can see how the spare tire carrier is bent and the tire hangs very low. The last time I had the spare out I had to use an impact wrench to get it to crank back up. I'm assuming the mechanism is rusted.

I'm thinking about putting the spare tire on a hitch mount in the rear receiver and tossing the crank up carrier.

Any cons to mounting it to the receiver hitch?

Gary

 

[sourdough]

Gary, is that a BAL Hide a Spare? I have one of those on my trailer and although the concept is great they cannot support the weight of a spare of any weight. DW, trying to help me remove the spare from the Hide a Spare destroyed her spine and we are in, and have been in, a state of suspended animation as she has gone through spine surgeries etc. because she tried to help me yank that thing out - be careful.

She is still recovering. It took 2 of us to try to pull the spare out and now that's out. I bought a spare tire carrier to go in the receiver that allows me to cantilever the spare onto the spare tire carrier- it sits in the entryway as we speak (many months). Hoping it will somehow give us a better way to manage a spare but you might look into them.

 

[NH_Bulldog]

I had been considering a BAL Retract-a-Spare (or the Lippert version) so I could relocate my spare from inside the front compartment. I wasn’t impressed by the reviews of any of the retractable models and I really didn’t want to add weight to the accessory hitch receiver, so I am leaning towards a BAL Hide-a-Spare which uses a rack instead of a winch.

 

[JRTJH]

I've got the BAL Hide A Spare under my trailer. So far, from 2014 to present, it's been "flawless" to carry our 15" LRE Carlisle spare. I agree with Danny, it's probably not a good choice for a larger LRG tire because of the increased weight to manipulate on those "sliding tubes".... For us, with the lighter weight spare, it's worked out great. That said, I'm not sure I'd install one for anything larger than a 285 75R16 LRE tire. The "all steel tires" are, IMO, too heavy for the sliding tubes.

For smaller, 14", 15" and many 16" spares, BAL is a great choice to get the spare out of the sun's UV and heat and protect it "for the long run"... The only problem I see that someone would encounter, is finding a good spot under the trailer that avoids the slide mechanisms, low point drains, holding tank plumbing, axles and suspension and stabilizer jacks/leveling system.... There's a BUCKET LOAD OF STUFF under a modern travel trailer that would get in the way of a BAL Hide A Spare ....

 

[jxnbbl]

After our tire experience (initial non-Carlisle) we have the tire carrier the hitch that came with our trailer as well as a BAL hide a spare. Both work fine. We have both since we tend to do trips the 2000-5000 mile range....and it was a bit dicey with one space one time.

 

[flybouy]

To John's comment on available space under the trailer. Our trailer came with a bumper mounted tire carrier. When the BAL unit hit the market I wanted to change the spare mounting device. There was just no way to mount it on our trailer.

Our unit has 2 large slides on the curb side that encompasses about 3/4 of the trailer. Looking at the underside there's a scissors power stabilizer at the very back of the frame. Then, moving forward is the rear slide that holds a couch/ fold out bed with a fold down bunk above. The other slide that holds the dinette and living room couch is about 18" away. That space is where the sewer outlet and dump valves live. That slide out reaches all the way to the bedroom door. Between that slide and the A frame is the FW tank and the drain valve for it below.

The bumper mount spare has never passed a problem. I wanted to add the BAL unit to hold a second spare for longer trips. I thought it would be easier than putting it in the truck bed but like the song says "we don't always get what w

 

[GaryUT]

Yes it is the BAL Retract-A-Spare.

At this point I'm worried that the spare is going to fall off the trailer. The one time we needed the spare tire dragging it out from under the trailer on the side of the road was a pain.

The rear receiver is rated for 300 pounds, I don't think the tire and mount will be anywhere close to that weight. I would defiantly use an anti rattle clamp to stop it from bouncing in the receiver. Also thinking about using a bolt with washers and a lock nut instead of a hitch pin.

Gary

 

[sourdough]

Depending on the tire size and type I would lean toward the Hide A Spare before trying to use a receiver mounted unit. I have problems with my Hide a Spare but it's due to the weight of the tire. We did not notice the problem with a 235/80 16 LRE Ranier non steel tire. Same size tire but LRG and steel cased and it's a BEAR (much heavier tire). The simplicity of it and being able to pull the spare out from under the trailer to remove/replace it is VERY convenient. I have bought but haven't installed (sitting in the entryway now for about 3 months) a receiver mounted, cantilevered spare tire mount to hopefully allow me to try and carry a spare on the trailer vs the truck since the Hide a Spare won't slide with the heavier tire....even though BAL said their weight limit would allow it.

 

[GaryUT]

Depending on the tire size and type I would lean toward the Hide A Spare before trying to use a receiver mounted unit.

The Retract-A-Spare is mounted so that the about 1/3 of the tire is between the rear jacks. The Hide-A-Spare would need to be mounter further back so that the tire will clear the jack when pulled out, the tire or mount would be in danger of dragging through driveways. I cant move it in front of the axles because of the sewer lines.

Gary

 

[Old Mustanger]

I lost a spare from under the trailer a couple years ago (somewhere on I40), since then the replacement rides in the basement.