Under Chassis Spare Tire Mount

jimmccreary · 05-14-2009, 10:44 PM

I recently purchased a 2004 winnebago Journey 34H. I was shocked to realise that one of my rear tires was not the correct size resulting in one rear tire bearing the burden of the weight on that side causing steering pull to that side. I went to various tire shops before I realized that my 22.5" rim tire (Michelin XRV) had to be specially ordered. This took several days. Now I realize why the previous owner mounted an undersized tire.

After purchasing two new tires, I moved one of the used tires to a space direcly under the chasis just behind the fuel tank. This is just the tire, not tire plus hub. I did not want to consume the already existing storage spaces by putting the spare tire in them. The rational for carrying a spare tire is that I can avoid a delay associated with finding the correct size tire when on a long trip in a remote area (AlCan Highway).

It was very easy for a custom welding shop to follow my design and weld a tire mount kit under the RV. The only real consideration is that the tire itself weighs 85lbs and the length of the mounting bolt and bracket need to be sized so that the bolt has enough thread to attach the nut without compressing the tire and then has enough thread to tighten the crosspiece and compress the tire enough to hold it in place without vibrating. The bolt was a 1/2 bolt with about 5" of thread and the nut contained a builtin nylon section that locked to the thread.

After 7K mi it has worked fine. No excessive rubbing or wear visible on tire.

It seems to me that this space was a perfect fit in both height and width and must at one time been a space that was designed for a spare tire.

Regards to all

jim & debbie and 2 cocker spaniels

RKL2 · 05-15-2009, 05:46 PM

Jim...I did the same thing for my 2002 Juorney. My mounting was the same except I put an inflated tube in the tire to keep the debris and moisture out and to keep it snug..Also I used rachet nylon tiedowns on two sides to hold it in case the mount broke in some way...30,000 plus miles and good as new....RKL

Paul T · 05-15-2009, 06:02 PM

What are rachet nylon tiedowns??
Thx

jimmccreary · 05-15-2009, 06:09 PM

RKL2,
I like your idea of inflating a tube. I think I will have to add ratched straps as well since this will also help when mounting and unmounting the tire and also is another measure of safety.

best of luck

jim & debbie and 2 cockerspaniels

jimmccreary · 05-15-2009, 06:11 PM

Paul T,
I think he means nylon straps with a ratcheting catch to allow tightening.

jim

TEO · 05-16-2009, 02:04 PM

When I bought my 2002 Journey, the previous owner had a spare tire mounted where you stated. It had no rim, and was held up by three of the ratchet tie-downs. I had to cut the tie-downs to get the tire off and when I did, it was useless. It had been pulled up so tightly that it was terribly misshapened and the harsh bends cause enormous cracks.

I've been trying to think of a way to hold a spare in place, sandwiched between two pieces of plywood to keep it relatively clean. I neveer thought of puting a tube inside to keep the dirt out. What a great idea!

Paul

jimmccreary · 05-17-2009, 12:11 PM

Thanks TEO for the useful tip. I will also follow RKL2's advice about the inner tube.

Jim

DReiser · 05-17-2009, 03:18 PM

Does anyone have a picture of their mount? I carry a spare in my compartment and wouldn't mind re-locating it underneath, if at all possible.

RKL2 · 05-17-2009, 07:39 PM

DReiser....private mail me your email address and I will try to send you a photo of the mount...RKL

RKL2 · 05-18-2009, 03:28 PM

DReiser....your email address is rejected by my mailer...tried to send pics 3 times..all rejected....sorry RKL

RLS · 05-19-2009, 07:05 AM

I too would like a picture. Thanks.

jimmccreary · 05-19-2009, 11:56 AM

I too am interested in the photos.
I have tried to attach to this reply my schematics for the spare tire attachment kit. I hope it comes through.

regards to all

jim

jimmccreary · 05-19-2009, 12:32 PM

Hi All,
here are 3 photos and 6 more to come.

Hope this helps.

regards,
jim

jimmccreary · 05-19-2009, 12:37 PM

Here are 3 more photos.
jim

jimmccreary · 05-19-2009, 12:43 PM

Here are the last 3 photos.

I learned alot from others in this forum and as a result I will probably make 3 modifications:
1. insert a tube to keep the tire in shape
2. add nylon safety straps that allow safer mounting and unmounting
3. add a stiff flat board or sheet metal so that when compressed, the tire seats uniformly against a flat surface.

Hope this helps
regards,
jim & debbie and 2 cocker spaniels

Sammie · 05-19-2009, 04:30 PM

Nice job Jim. Just wondering how do you get the tire and bracket up and down when needed? Does the wife help?

Sammie

jimmccreary · 05-20-2009, 12:12 AM

Hi Sammie,

I have attached and removed the tire about 4 times and this is the worst part of the whole process.
First, the wife does help by mixing the drinks.

At a tire weight of 85lbs I cannot both lift the tire and attach the crossarm and nut. 2 guys can easily do this once the RV is raised about 4in on the leveling jacks. I have tried a 2x4 placed on a hydraulic Jack but this would need to raise the tire 24" and this is almost out of range for the hydraulic jack. A sissor jack might be easier since the weight is only 85lbs. But I like the suggestion by RKL2 to use nylon straps with ratchets. 2 straps on opposite sides could easily pull up the tire into place little by little thus allowing the metal arm and nut to be attached. This is my next project after I find a tube to hold the tire in shape.

Hope this helps,,

jim & debbie and 2 cocker spaniels
2004 winnebago journey 34H

wa8yxm · 05-20-2009, 10:08 AM

From the description I think that's where several car makers park the spare Only instead of the bolt & nut & brace system you used my Chevy Lumina APV (And several other vehicles) use a winch and cable.

Same concept though.. And I suspect my winch would have no tribble with 85 to 100 pounds

(Of course the winch I had that failed had no problem with 800-1000 pounds (It was rated 2x that) but at least it did what I needed it to do before it died... My wife dang near messed her undies when I told her SHE was goign to lift a chunk of gear out of our basement (About 500 pounds) She needed all of 2 fingers to do it. Yup, that's why I bought that winch)

jimmccreary · 05-20-2009, 10:12 AM

Hello RKL2,

Can you tell me what size inner tube you used?

thanks,

jim

RKL2 · 05-20-2009, 12:30 PM

Jim.....can't remember the tube size..I just asked dealer for a tube that would fit a 22.5 rim...He said tube would expand to fit the tire size and fill the void....Bob