Relocated the spare tire

[Jay2504]

As part of the upcoming project to install a rear rack on the back of our 2504s the first thing I had to do was move the spare tire to under the camper. I used the original rear bumper mount with different u bolts. I also added a brace with a pin that could be pulled when it’s time to change a flat. Underneath there 2 welded square tubes that brace the frame. This also has the effect of tying the front brace and back brace together. Jay

[AZ Pete]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

As part of the upcoming project to install a rear rack on the back of our 2504s the first thing I had to do was move the spare tire to under the camper. I used the original rear bumper mount with different u bolts. I also added a brace with a pin that could be pulled when it’s time to change a flat. Underneath there 2 welded square tubes that brace the frame. This also has the effect of tying the front brace and back brace together. JayAttachment 167306



Attachment 167307

so how does the spare tire come down?

[cmysstailights]

Pretty clever, i remove mine for clearence when parking at my parents.

[Jay2504]

You pull the pin, that drops the brace down. Next loosen the 2 U bolts and drop the carrier down. Not the easiest to do compared to the ide a spare that you can buy. My hope is that because I’m not near my max tire load, I won’t have to use it! Jay

[vmax]

Good mod.

[cmysstailights]

Taking your idea and trying to attach to the bottom of my vibes rear bumper. Just need a spacer to drop the tire a little. It hits the stabilizer arms and cant get the pin in.

[cmysstailights]

.....

[Jay2504]

cmysstailights, are you trying to get space behind the bumper? Jay

[cmysstailights]

No it was originally behind the bumper. Took it off so i can get it as far back to clear the sidewalk. Trying to get it to hang underneath so i wont have to remove it every time i store it.

[Jay2504]

I’m not that familiar with a Vibe. Do you have torsion axles? My spare is between the axles. I was able to clamp it to a 2x2 square tube brace that ties the frame extension together. Some people have used a spare cable and gear box from a pickup truck. What kind of suspension do you have?

[cmysstailights]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

cmysstailights, are you trying to get space behind the bumper? Jay

This is where it was

[cmysstailights]

Dont know why all my pics are sideways. I have the axel tube with shackles. No cross members. The under side is enclosed

[Jay2504]

Cool. Mine was on the right side. Are there any other places underneath the camper where the tire would fit? You may already know this, there is a product called “ hide a spare” that looks nice. I just didn’t want to spend the $$. Did you just rotate the spare tire holder on the bumper to face down instead of towards the back? My I pad screen is messed up and it is a little hard to see pictures clearly. I used my factory supplied tire holder with different U bolts. Jay

[cmysstailights]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

Cool. Mine was on the right side. Are there any other places underneath the camper where the tire would fit? You may already know this, there is a product called “ hide a spare” that looks nice. I just didn’t want to spend the $$. Did you just rotate the spare tire holder on the bumper to face down instead of towards the back? My I pad screen is messed up and it is a little hard to see pictures clearly. I used my factory supplied tire holder with different U bolts. Jay

I used the factory u-bolts and just rotated it down. I have to get the spare to drop about a inch so i can clear the stabilizers. There is no other spaces because the underside is closed up and just the axles are accessable. I did not know they made a product to hide the spare.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by cmysstailights

I used the factory u-bolts and just rotated it down. I have to get the spare to drop about a inch so i can clear the stabilizers. There is no other spaces because the underside is closed up and just the axles are accessable. I did not know they made a product to hide the spare.

Your spare should fit up front inside the "A-Frame"! I used a PU truck cable system,it is "Almost Invisible",if you want to buy a cable system Lippert sells them also! Youroo!!

[cmysstailights]

Originally Posted by youroo

Your spare should fit up front inside the "A-Frame"! I used a PU truck cable system,it is "Almost Invisible",if you want to buy a cable system Lippert sells them also! Youroo!!

Awsome, thx will loom into it.

[Jay2504]

Could you re drill the holes to fit? Or maybe add a short piece of metal between the 2 holes? If you did that would the tire be high enough for travel? Jay

[cmysstailights]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

Could you re drill the holes to fit? Or maybe add a short piece of metal between the 2 holes? If you did that would the tire be high enough for travel? Jay

Thought about re drilling but dont wanna weaken the metal. I have a manual hoist kicking around i might try out. If not ill put spacers between the tire and frame and that should give the clearance. Just have to be creative.

[rockfordroo]

cmysstaillights:

Here's another option:

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

[cmysstailights]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

cmysstaillights:

Here's another option:

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

Thats pretty kewl, another option if my first 2 dont work. Gonna try a space to get the tire dropped an inch, if that doesnt work then gonna see if i can fab up my winch. Then if all else fails go with that lol.