Installing BAL Hide-A-Spare on a Mini Lite

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by dmdomokos

I have a 2702WS and can't decide if I should mount this in front of the axles or behind them. Any suggestions?

When you have it laid out under your unit, you will see the best way and place to install it. With my unit, I was going to put it behind the axels as I have seen others have done.... turned out that that would not work. I have a back door and the steps were in the way on one side and drain pipes on the other... going farther back were the stabilizer jacks and a couple of side wedges that go out from the frame. No good place to put it in the back.

Went to the front of the axels and placed under the fresh water tank. The videos that I have seen have the drop down and pull out on the door side. Did not work very well in the area I wanted close to the axels in front, so I have the drop down and pull out side to the ditch side. The slide skirting gives me more room and I will be out of the road when messing with the spare. Do not go to far forward as you want good clearance and have no chance of dragging it from the front area.

You will see the sweet spot when you move it around under your unit.

[dmdomokos]

You were correct, there was really only one place to mount it, between the front steps and the axles. Easy to install, love it so far.

[modaholic]

With only 9 1/2 inches of space between the frame and skirting I had to weld mine onto the frame[emoji22]

[Johnfort]

You can get flexible valve stem extensions from amazon for a few bucks that will allow you to check the air pressure without lowering the tire mount.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Johnfort

You can get flexible valve stem extensions from amazon for a few bucks that will allow you to check the air pressure without lowering the tire mount.

Thanks.

[kwyer63]

The bracket location for the spare did not work for me due to the way the gas line was located and I needed to mount the tire on the other end of the rack. Came up with a solution using Unistrut and stainless steel U bolts. This also allowed me to mount the grey water tank also. Used some old pieces of bicycle tubing between the Unistrut and the tubing of the rack.

[Islander]

Mounting the Hide A Spare

I used four 5/16" x 1" stainless steel bolts on each mounting plate and flat washers with lock nuts.
I have no faith in self tapping screws when weight is involved especially under the trailer.
I choose to mount behind the axle because I didn't want to add any more weight forward of center.

Even with lock washers on each side of the tire holding bolts I drilled a small hole through the top end of the bolts to slide a lock pin in to should the wheel nuts work loose.

I also drilled a hole through the pull down plate and the resting plate for a padlock....never hurts to add security.


PS... I'm 70 and the 16" wheel & tire is still manageable IMO

Islander