Additional Spare Tire Mount Options/Ideas (truck camper)?

[deminimis]

Just went through another Baja vacation on a wing and a prayer (only one spare and its located in the factory location). So, I need to figure out the best way to add a second spare. When pulling a trailer, no problem (will store extras on the trailer). When sans a trailer, that's the issue. So, was thinking I might fab up a mount that plugs into my Superhitch and tuck it (the spare) up tight under the rear of the camper. I'll loose valuable approach clearance if I go that route however, but that seems the best plan at present. The Camper bumper is too weak to fab any kind of swing out that attaches to it. The roof is currently covered with various vents and components (and what little real estate that remains up top will be covered in solar panels eventually), so a roof mount is not an option. So, anyone have any better ideas? Here's my canvas. Thanks.

 

[Herbie]

Front Bumper?

I'm planning to have a 2" front hitch mounted to my van when I do the bumper/etc. up there. Mostly it'll be used as an alternate mount for a bike carrier and for a receiver-mount winch, but I also plan to be able to use one of the cheap receiver-mount spare tire carriers for the times when two spares would be a plus.

Due to the design of the rear doors on my van, I couldn't do a rear-mount spare unless I went full swing-away, since the top hatch would interfere.

I don't want to deal with a swing-away on my daily driver, since its already 3 latches to open the back end! Instead, I plan to mount my fuel cans to the lower left door and a ladder on the right side of the upper hatch that extends down, so no additional latches to undo.

Edit: Discussed previously: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=189791

 

[ntsqd]

Up front on a socket receiver plug-in?

How much does that camper overhang the bed sides? Could a mount be made to hang one there?

Make a plug-in to go into the rear trailer hitch, but instead of a swing-away make it swing down and become the step(s) to get into the camper.

 

[deminimis]

Make a plug-in to go into the rear trailer hitch, but instead of a swing-away make it swing down and become the step(s) to get into the camper.

Hey now, there's something to think about. Currently using a six tier step that works great but its hard to negotiate six steps after a bunch of Pacificos while relaxing on the beach. A big spare tire/step might be a great solution. The extension would run approx 4' from the hitch, but its a Super Hitch, so it can take it. I have a 48" Superhitch extension. I need to pop that on there and see what my clearance will look like. If I can use that as is, it would be an easy job to fab the drop down spare/step combo. Seems like I have a 700# tongue weight rating when using that extension, so plenty of over kill, just the way I like it.

Thanks for the input regarding a front mount guys. My guess is it wouldn't work given my IFS and the mods I've been doing up there.

 

[jefe4x4]

deminimus,
This is a quandry for all of us truck camper types. When I read your post title, I thought, before opening it, what a great idea putting the second spare on a 2.5" square tubing rack inserted into your class V hitch hole and tucked under the rear of the camper.
After actually reading your post, I still think it's the best place to store a spare, even with the reduction in departure angle. I think you could get the clearance very tight and tire up as high as it will go. The weight is down low. Easy to get to. Does not restrict air to the radiator, or cut down on your view out the front.
There are just not a lot of options on a second spare placement. I certainly wish I would have had two on our 'to AK and beyond' adventure a few years ago. I used 17 tire plugs to try to stem the flow of a massive tread separation on a BFG AT BAJA to no avail. We had driven 2500 miles on gravel/dirt roads by this time. Not having a 2nd spare changed our route plans. Here we are gravel pit camping at Coldfoot, AK with the Brooks range (and north slope) in the distance:

Another way to go would be to take one spare tire tucked up under there with no rim. You can always get some local to mount it for you, if needed. It would save some vertical space and about 25 lbs. with no rim.
On a trip to the deepest heart of Baja about 30 yrs. ago, I took THREE spare tires/wheels along knowing how the volcanic rock on the east side eats tires. Well, it ate all my tires, as we had seven, yes count 'em, seven flat tires, several were completely unfixable. Drove the last 100 KM north into Puertocitos having to stop every KM to inflate what was left of the tires with a pair of hand pumps. Oh, those were the bad old days. Only fun in retrospect.
That was in my Chevy powered Toyota FJ-55 Land Cruiser with ******** cepek roof rack that held all the tires.
regards, as always, jefe

 

[jefe4x4]

I couldn't edit my post above, so,
After re-reading your post, I noticed you keep your jacks on. Me thinks that a spare tucked under there wouldn't hang down any farther than your rear jacks do, negating the worry about the tire being the lowest item in departure angle.
As for me, no jacks on the road, only at home. Call me "King of the Jacks-Off" if you will.
regards, as always, jefe

 

[charlieaarons]

What about mounted or unmounted in front of rear wheel-well, one on each side, on the side of the truck bed? It would require some body modification, maybe some cutting of wheel-well.
I carry 2 unmounted spares on the roof plus a mounted spare on the back of my camper. Fortunately i have 3-piece rims which means I can mount a tire in the field, if I can handle the 224 lb weight of the tire (395/85R20 Michelin XZL, 18 ply rated). There is still room for A/C unit, a vent and 2 123W solar panels.
http://www.unicat.net/en/info/TC49compact.html


Charlie

 

[deminimis]

Sorry I didn't reply earlier. I think I'll use a trailer to haul extra wheels in the future. Not sure what trailer that will be, but most likely a cargo type. Guess I need to start saving for that little dealio.

 

[turtlesdove3]

Sorry I didn't reply earlier. I think I'll use a trailer to haul extra gibson exhaust systems wheels in the future. Not sure what trailer that will be, but most likely a cargo type. Guess I need to start saving for that little dealio.

With all those trailers out there it may take time to narrow down choices. Cargo type is a good choice. Hoping to see some pics after you buy them.

 

[dzzz]

A trailer to haul a second spare you may never use? How about a hitch on the front that could also hold a winch?

 

[Keyblazer]

Here is what I am doing....
I want to carry 2 spares.
Custom rear bumper is my plan, tho you could build this on a tow hitch too... or out front!
I have it drawn in my head, now can I explain it?

One vertical upright of 2" trailer hitch, with a piece of 2 1/2" hitch receiver tube welded on top facing the rear.
On the rear face is welded a 1/4" steel plate, sized according to your wheel mounting flange, with 2 studs for mounting wheel #1.
The center of the 1/4" plate is cut out to match the hitch receiver.

Wheel #2 is mounted on a second length of 2" tow hitch steel, with a similar 1/4" plate mounted on the end of it with 2 studs, but this plate is mounted reversed.

Both wheels are mounted thus...
Wheel #1 is bolted with stock lug nuts to the main frame.
Wheel #2 is mounted with hitch bar sticking thru wheel center bore, and secured with 2 wheels lugs also.
Bar passes thru center of wheel #1 and thru 2 1/2" receiver until the two tires meet.
A hole drilled thru both pieces of the hitch tubing behind wheel #1 takes a standard hitch lock, or a longframed padlock, which means wheel #2 cannot be removed, and as the lug nuts are facing each other between the tires its all secure!
I will try to draw it later...

 

[JonoP]

A short video on how to make your own spare tire carrier