Spare Tire Carrier?

[michaelh712]

I recently purchased an expedition type trailer, but it does not have a place to mount a spare tire. I am familiar with swing away carriers, and have one on my truck, but few mounted on a trailer. I plan to have custom spacers made to mount the same wheels on the trailer as my truck, but other family members with different wheels will be using the trailer as well, so some sort of swing away mount would be great. I would appreciate seeing any photos of mounts on trailers.

 

[cowboy4x4]

Here is what I built for my previous trailer.

 

[Mark Harley]

Contact RFDGUY he has a nice rack on the rear of his trailer.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I recently purchased an expedition type trailer, but it does not have a place to mount a spare tire. I am familiar with swing away carriers, and have one on my truck, but few mounted on a trailer. I plan to have custom spacers made to mount the same wheels on the trailer as my truck, but other family members with different wheels will be using the trailer as well, so some sort of swing away mount would be great. I would appreciate seeing any photos of mounts on trailers.

Where in Utah are you? I have a good friend who can sit down with you and give you some great ideas and build it how you want it.

 

[alia176]

I recently purchased an expedition type trailer, but it does not have a place to mount a spare tire. I am familiar with swing away carriers, and have one on my truck, but few mounted on a trailer. I plan to have custom spacers made to mount the same wheels on the trailer as my truck, but other family members with different wheels will be using the trailer as well, so some sort of swing away mount would be great. I would appreciate seeing any photos of mounts on trailers.

I used the spare tire holder/winch thing from a Toyota Landcruiser and installed it under the Kamparoo. It's a pretty slick unit and does a nice job of hiding the spare. I bet folks have these things floating around in the garage when they go to large tires and need to use the bumper mounted swing out deal.

 

[ManleyORV]

We are still working on a swingaway/fold-down design we are happy with., but in the mean time, we have the dead simple hitch carrier. When we get to camp we just take it out and then just put it back in when we head home.

Or if we are running our lid, we just toss it up there.

cowboy4x4, nice fab work!

-Josh

 

[Chris Cordes]

Ok I've always wondered this. You want as much weight on the tongue as possible and large tires aren't light so why put it on the rear? Wouldn't it throw off the balance unless the fronts REALLY weighed down? Other than look what's the negative of putting it on the front side of the trailer? Is it an access issue?

 

[JPL]

Ok I've always wondered this. You want as much weight on the tongue as possible and large tires aren't light so why put it on the rear? Wouldn't it throw off the balance unless the fronts REALLY weighed down? Other than look what's the negative of putting it on the front side of the trailer? Is it an access issue?

What I've found putting things on the front end of a trailer is that it impeded access when connected to the towing vehicle: can't open the rear door; can't drop the tailgate; can't pass easily between the trailer and the towing vehicle; or it impacts turning radius (stuff on trailer binds up against vehicle).

By adding weight to the very rear of the trailer, yes, you'll want to re-visit tongue weight. Too light and the trailer dances around behind the vehicle (and it's hard on the transmission). Too heavy and it's too much weight on the rear suspension of the vehicle.

 

[ManleyORV]

Ok I've always wondered this. You want as much weight on the tongue as possible and large tires aren't light so why put it on the rear? Wouldn't it throw off the balance unless the fronts REALLY weighed down? Other than look what's the negative of putting it on the front side of the trailer? Is it an access issue?

Well, you want as much weight over the axle as possible and the general consensus everyone throws around is 10-15% tongue weight. When you have a spare on the rear, you may just need to adjust your cargo to get the proper tongue weight. Usually with an RTT mounted at the front of the box; adding the spare tire doesn't throw us off too much.

In practicality, we don't spend much time getting too exact and we have never had an issue or towing problems. Keep in mind if you mount the spare on the tongue and have an RTT toward the front of your box; you may have the opposite problem of what you described.

I'd have no issue with a spare mounted on the front, but that's usually where my cooler goes for easy access.

-Josh

 

[Chris Cordes]

Thanks for clearing up guys! so you want 10 to 15 percent on tongue?? Ive heard more before but I just wanna make sure to ensure I load my own correct

 

[jeepfreak81]

Got my spare on the rear, and I still have PLENTY of tongue weight.

 

[michaelh712]

Thanks to all for your ideas. Thought I'd add some photos of the rear of my trailer for creative ideas about fabbing a rear tire carrier. The upper rear large door opens up to the drivers side, and the lower door opens down to access the rear drawer system. I was wondering if fobbing up a double shear mount of 1/4", tied into the round bumper and also into the rear frame would be strong enough? If not, what about cutting off the left rear tube and welding in rectangular steel tube with carrier mount? Creative ideas welcomed.
thanks, Michael

 

[alia176]

Personally, I have a distaste for swinging a tire out of my way to access a compartment/drawer every time. It sounds like you don't mind doing this so your plan sounds good! Of course, space limitation sometimes drives this decision, which is understandable.