Spare Tire Mounting

[Mary K]

Thats done.....



I got tired of lugging the darn thing around...packing and unpacking...lalala.

One note. If you are going to buy 1/2 bolts, make sure you have 1/2" drill bit. And make sure you have a 1/2" drill bit that fits in your drill.

That's all I'm going to say about that....

[S. Heisley]

Good for you, Mary K!

Mary K wrote:

One note. If you are going to buy 1/2 bolts, make sure you have 1/2" drill bit. And make sure you have a 1/2" drill bit that fits in your drill.

HaHaHa! ...Been there, done that one!

PS. I can't help but wonder if those wing nuts are going to vibrate loose. Maybe nylox nuts would be better? Dunno....

[Daniel Bernoulli]

Mary K.,
I'm interested in knowing what you have supporting those bolts. When your TD goes over a pothole, the force on those two (or three) bolts may be 125 pounds or more each. Are the bolt heads being supported only by half-inch or three-quarter-inch plywood, or do you have a metal plate or very large washers on top of the floor? Thanks.

[planovet]

Spares?? We don't need no stinkin' spares!!




(Seriously, nice job Mary K! And ditto on what Don said.)

[laoutdoorsman]

i have no dog in this hunt....but i see 2 things....

1.. id be worried about the wingnuts loosening up...they have a way of not staying tight for me in my experience...

2..id hate to be on my back in the gravel (or wet dirt, mud)on the side of a dark highway trying to drop that spare to change a flat...(hold tire one hand, turn nuts with other hand---hope its a light tire)

[Steve_Cox]

It just doesn't matter, ya gotta go camping to worry about where the spare falls off.

[Mary K]

Yup Steve, ya know it!!

Okay, Here is the inside. That's 3/4 ply and I used carriage bolts. Was thinking about putting a plate on the top, but now with y'alls suggestions guess I'll do it.



And about the wingnuts, the plan is to check my nuts ~ahem~ before I get on the road. I'll add it to the check list. If I see its going to be a problem, I just replace them with locknuts.

Thanks for the replies.

Oh and about getting on the ground... Im already going to be annoyed that I have a flat anywho... and besides, I been loading that damn tire in and out of the TD for 2 years I dont care where its stored, just as long as I dont have to load it ever again.

[Miriam C.]

Good job. If you are really worried about the wing nuts just get some lock washer and and some "Lock Tite" (spelling).......Looks great

[Mary K]

Thanks Aunti M!!!

[b.bodemer]

Yep, that's one less thing to worry about Mary K!

Glad I did something about it but with a 13" car tire it was easier to mount on the side rather than underneath.



Barb

[Ageless]

One note. If you are going to buy 1/2 bolts, make sure you have 1/2" drill bit. And make sure you have a 1/2" drill bit that fits in your drill.

Ever hear of a forstner bit?

[alffink]

Mary

I think you did great, the idea of using a plate is good, but you could just use 1/2" Fender washers, should give ya plenty of support

and you could just drill a small hole through each bolt just below the wing nuts and use a cotter pin, or one of the neat spring pins, just check out the hardware section of your favorite hardeware store.

The Wing nuts will save you from needing another wrench when changing the spare.

[Ageless]

The Wing nuts will save you from needing another wrench when changing the spare.

Wait until it becomes coated with road grime, dirt, etc

Is a visegrip a wrench?

[S. Heisley]

I think you did great, the idea of using a plate is good, but you could just use 1/2" Fender washers, should give ya plenty of support

and you could just drill a small hole through each bolt just below the wing nuts and use a cotter pin, or one of the neat spring pins, just check out the hardware section of your favorite hardeware store.

Mary K:
I think Al Fink is on to something with his comments.

Fender washers are good and I have seen bolts with cotter pin holes in them, already made. You can probably find them at the hardware store. If not, I know Red Trailer has sold cotter pin bolts so Harbor Freight or someplace like that probably sells them too. If you put the wing nut on first and the cotter pin on after; then, if the wing nut comes loose it won't fall off. If you forget to check your spare, you'll get a rattling reminder instead of having it fall and drag on the road. It might also be a good idea to epoxy the drilled holes with a Q-tip, or put a dab of roof asphalt or something to prevent water-seeping rot. A little silicone sealer on the top side wouldn't hurt, either.

I'm with you on attaching the spare to the under-used bottom side. I haven't done it yet but I think that's where mine is going. Those little guys aren’t heavy. If you have the 12” size like mine, I weighed it and it was only about 10 pounds. A Thanksgiving Day turkey usually weighs more than that. It’s like you said: if you've got to change a tire, you're already going to get dirty and aggravated. Just keep a small plastic drop cloth in your tool kit in case you stop in a cold, wet mud puddle!

By the way, this is a good reminder for I need to do later, when I put mine on! Thanks!

(Among the greatest things about this forum is the collection of knowledge and ideas that come forth. I think we all build and survive better because of it.)

[Miriam C.]

Mary

I think you did great, the idea of using a plate is good, but you could just use 1/2" Fender washers, should give ya plenty of support

and you could just drill a small hole through each bolt just below the wing nuts and use a cotter pin, or one of the neat spring pins, just check out the hardware section of your favorite hardeware store.

The Wing nuts will save you from needing another wrench when changing the spare.

Can't you get bolts with a hole in them? I am thinking I saw some once upon a time.