It's not a "spare" if its riding on the car...

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It's not a "spare" if its riding on the car...

Postby capsu78 » Fri Aug 06, 2004 9:50 am

Looking for feedback on spare tires for the TD trailer. My new Hunter has the optional spare and it is mountd on the tounge. After glancing at many different pictures of many different styles, I note the tounge is also a great place to mount additional storage boxes.
Boy scout preparedness suggests the wisdom of carrying a spare tire. What is the reality? Does everyone carry them in the real world?

To spare or not to spare, that is the question... (sorry, couldn't resist)
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Postby Chip » Fri Aug 06, 2004 10:25 am

YES,,spare time will be with me,,,thinking bout mounting under cross member in between tongue rails on the front of the trailer,,that way I can still carry "stuff" I forgot I needed strapped to the top of the tongue rails

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Postby campadk » Fri Aug 06, 2004 10:27 am

I don't bother. Never had a flat in my life. Maybe if you live in the backcountry with rough roads you might want to consider one more.

I thought of buying one of those spray in sealants in case of a flat since we always bring out inflatable/car tire compressor with us. Easier (lighter) than dealing with a spare tire.

A spare on the tongue of a Hunter would add what... about 35lbs? For smaller tow vehicles this might bring the tongue weight well up over the typical 100lb max. (our Hunter was 95lbs tongue dry weight).

True, the Hunter is well suited to a storage box (as we have done). You do need to store your lighter items in it though if tongue weight is an issue for your tow vehicle (as in our case).
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Postby capsu78 » Fri Aug 06, 2004 10:52 am

Thanks Dave,
I was hoping for a reply from you, as your site was where I got the closest match to what I have purchased.
I have brand new tires and would rather have a storage box much like yours rather than the spare. I think I am safe to assume if I did have a flat, I would simply "unhitch and fix".
My tow vehicle will be my 2002 "Double Yellow" New Beetle, so I figure when I am hitched up to my Hunter, I should blend right in to traffic and be pretty inconspicuous. As I tell my wife, I am not seeking attention, but that damn inner child just won't act his age...
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Postby Shrug53 » Fri Aug 06, 2004 11:00 am

I am pulling the hubs off of my trailer (which is still a utility trailer at this point) and replacing them with a bolt pattern to match my Chevy. That way I can use the car spare on the trailer if I have to.
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Postby campadk » Fri Aug 06, 2004 11:12 am

Just a note on the Delta box I have mounted on the tongue. Its rectangular vs having angled sides like some. Mine is 3ft wide, 17.5" deep and 15.5" high. The rectangular box is nice for folding chairs etc.

With the box on the tongue length is a bit short. I have to be a bit more cautious when backing up to prevent jackknifing with our PT cruiser. I can turn sharp corners (even go in circles :shock: ) without worrying about the box hitting the back of our car however.

With your Beetle you turning radius is probably sharper so this could be a problem if our not careful. I have seen some boxes that have angled sides which would solve this, although not as efficient for storage.
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Postby capsu78 » Fri Aug 06, 2004 11:22 am

Dave,
OK, so I would want to run some tests circles to figure out how much clearence I have under 100% of conditions, and then kep he boxes contens as light as possible. Is your Delta box where you store your "custom" wheel blocks?

I'm Dave too!,

Dave
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Postby campadk » Fri Aug 06, 2004 1:02 pm

capsu78 wrote:Dave,
OK, so I would want to run some tests circles to figure out how much clearence I have under 100% of conditions, and then kep he boxes contens as light as possible. Is your Delta box where you store your "custom" wheel blocks?

I'm Dave too!,

Dave


You just have to be aware of possible issues. Certainly backing up. With your short Beetle wheel base you probably have to be more concerned when trying to do a U turn in a busy Walmart parking lot :wink:

I used to store my folding chairs, wheel blocks, fireplace grill, ropes, bungies, propane canisters, tool box and anything else that would fit. However after doing some recent tongue and tear weight measurements I found the tongue was up to 125lbs! PT with manufacturers hitch is rated at 100lbs tongue weight. So to help the situation I know store mainly lighter stuff in the tongue box (along with my newly purchased 5lb propane tank). Light stuff like life jackets, ropes, water floats, tarp and such. The chairs, tool box, axe and such now go in the tow vehicle. It lightens the tongue to about 110lbs (yah whats 15lbs gonna do!!).
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Postby beverlyt » Fri Aug 06, 2004 3:20 pm

Dave (with the bug)
I bring a spare but keep it in the tow vehicle. My tongue weight on my 4'x8' is already at 95 pounds so I decided against putting it there :cry:
If I were to put it anywhere on the tear it would go under the galley area.
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