Hide-a-Spare mounting

[LTnTN]

My 8528RKWS has the insulation underneath, stretching from one side of the frame to the other. How will this impact installing the Hide-a-Tire rack? I'd really like to get it off my rear bumper.

[bob caldwell]

Cut it....

[doc73]

Originally Posted by LTnTN

My 8528RKWS has the insulation underneath, stretching from one side of the frame to the other. How will this impact installing the Hide-a-Tire rack? I'd really like to get it off my rear bumper.

I'm pretty certain they make various versions, one for your usage.

[LTnTN]

Originally Posted by doc73

I'm pretty certain they make various versions, one for your usage.

After digging a little deeper, you're right. There's an under slung model that should do the trick.

[jtatum65]

Originally Posted by LTnTN

After digging a little deeper, you're right. There's an under slung model that should do the trick.

I would be interested in seeing how you mounted this tire rack, as I have a Rockwood 5ver I want to do the samething with. Could you update us with pictures when your done?

[LTnTN]

Originally Posted by jtatum65

I would be interested in seeing how you mounted this tire rack, as I have a Rockwood 5ver I want to do the samething with. Could you update us with pictures when your done?

I took a close look at my camper yesterday after reviewing the installation instructions and looking at pictures. The bottom skirt of my camper turns and extends all the way to the I-beams, overlapping the insulation there, and then secured with a strip and screws. It looks like there would be zero chance of road spray during rain getting into that area, as it is now. I will have to cut & modify the skirt to get access to the I-beams. I'm going to give this some more thought about how to address that before I install it (if?).

[rockfordroo]

I don't have an enclosed belly, but here's some pics and details on installing mine. Might help you some.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ite-91088.html

[2Evil4U]

https://www.amazon.com/BAL-28218-Hid...2528003&sr=8-1

I installed this one under my insulated 832IKBS. No issues.

Just make sure you get the appropriate one for the type of frame you have.

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by LTnTN

I took a close look at my camper yesterday after reviewing the installation instructions and looking at pictures. The bottom skirt of my camper turns and extends all the way to the I-beams, overlapping the insulation there, and then secured with a strip and screws. It looks like there would be zero chance of road spray during rain getting into that area, as it is now. I will have to cut & modify the skirt to get access to the I-beams. I'm going to give this some more thought about how to address that before I install it (if?).

you do not have to cut or modify the skirt. at least I did not. My skirts hang low also. what I did was change the direction of install. instead of having the drop down on the door side, I moved it to the ditch side and there was a lot move room over in that side. If I need to, I can move my slide out a little to have more room. As stated, I know that there are 4 different designs of the hid-a-spare for attaching to the under carriage. Get the design for your unit.

[rockfordroo]

Here's their model identifier document.

[jtatum65]

Originally Posted by Brother Les

you do not have to cut or modify the skirt. at least I did not. My skirts hang low also. what I did was change the direction of install. instead of having the drop down on the door side, I moved it to the ditch side and there was a lot move room over in that side. If I need to, I can move my slide out a little to have more room. As stated, I know that there are 4 different designs of the hid-a-spare for attaching to the under carriage. Get the design for your unit.

Do you have pictures you can share?

[rmac04401]

Here is a pic

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by jtatum65

Do you have pictures you can share?

Look at post #12 rmac04401

If the drop down side was put on the stairs side of my unit.... the stabilizers would be in the way.. the steps were in the way... the gas lines were in the way... and the skirts hung low... by swinging it around to the drivers side the tire and drop down is clear of everything and the tire is under the water tank (if the tank falls out ) ..... and is fairly clear of the skirts and if I need I can move the slide out. my first post I said the ditch side drops down, I mean that it is the side opposite of the door and the truck drivers side that drops down.

[LTnTN]

Originally Posted by Brother Les

you do not have to cut or modify the skirt. at least I did not. My skirts hang low also. what I did was change the direction of install. instead of having the drop down on the door side, I moved it to the ditch side and there was a lot move room over in that side. If I need to, I can move my slide out a little to have more room. As stated, I know that there are 4 different designs of the hid-a-spare for attaching to the under carriage. Get the design for your unit.

With exception of the slide, my skirts wrap completely under the bottom and attach at the frame. Of course, in the slide area, the driven shaft extends the full length of the slide. My gas line runs just underneath the frame on the door side of the camper. I'm really not seeing an easy way to make it work behind the axles now, which is what I prefer. I'll keep thinking about it though.

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by LTnTN

With exception of the slide, my skirts wrap completely under the bottom and attach at the frame. Of course, in the slide area, the driven shaft extends the full length of the slide. My gas line runs just underneath the frame on the door side of the camper. I'm really not seeing an easy way to make it work behind the axles now, which is what I prefer. I'll keep thinking about it though.

mine is in front of the axles

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by LTnTN

With exception of the slide, my skirts wrap completely under the bottom and attach at the frame. Of course, in the slide area, the driven shaft extends the full length of the slide. My gas line runs just underneath the frame on the door side of the camper. I'm really not seeing an easy way to make it work behind the axles now, which is what I prefer. I'll keep thinking about it though.

Give BAL a call and talk to them about it.

[LTnTN]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Give BAL a call and talk to them about it.

I talked to John Hawkins with Norco Industries today. Nice guy. He was familiar with units like mine that wraps the skirt underneath and attaches to the frame. Unfortunately, it seems like I'll have to cut the skirt to clear the rack on the passenger side, then modify the skirt to make it sturdy again. The driver side pivot could be mounted behind the slide out shaft, so that skirt won't interfere.

One remote possibility would be to mount behind the entry steps, but obviously, access would be restricted.

[jtatum65]

Originally Posted by LTnTN

I talked to John Hawkins with Norco Industries today. Nice guy. He was familiar with units like mine that wraps the skirt underneath and attaches to the frame. Unfortunately, it seems like I'll have to cut the skirt to clear the rack on the passenger side, then modify the skirt to make it sturdy again. The driver side pivot could be mounted behind the slide out shaft, so that skirt won't interfere.

One remote possibility would be to mount behind the entry steps, but obviously, access would be restricted.

Does your FW have opposing slides? Thats what I have and I was considering mounting one between the slideout rams.

[LTnTN]

Originally Posted by jtatum65

Does your FW have opposing slides? Thats what I have and I was considering mounting one between the slideout rams.

No, only on one side.

He mentioned that when mounting in the area of the slide outs, you can loosen one end of the shaft between the rams, and slip the mount behind it.

If your I-beams aren't covered by the lower skirts wrapping around them, the installation looks pretty straight forward.

[mikdor1]

I was thinking about the same system and almost bought one. Then after packing my basement I found I have plenty of room for spare. That's were it's at now, dry and easy to access.