Does anyone have the BAL Hide A Spare

[saus]

I have been thinking about taking my spare out of the front storage compartment and using the Hide A Spare to place it underneath. For those that have done this, does it work ok? I have some concerns. Does the metal seem sturdy enough to hold a 70 lb. tire? I have an enclosed underbelly. Is there going to be enough clearance? (I know the model number I need for this). Do I have to remove the material underneath in order to bolt it to the frame or does it only use self tapping screws? It seem like they would come loose over time. Please let me know of any pros or cons that I have not thought of. Thanks.

[rockfordroo]

I've been happy with mine. See here:

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

[RollnStone]

I have the model that works with a non-enclosed belly. In my case there is plenty of clearance as it is higher than my axles, and just forward of them. I drilled and bolted the trailer frame and carrier together using lock nuts. I do not check them as often as lug nuts.

The carrier is rated for 100 lbs. While the tire is stowed, it is actually offset, toward the side it is pulled out from, (in my case, the curb side) so the undulations from uneven roads will be less than if it was centered. Also, the tubing telescopes, and is virtually doubled while the tire is stowed.

The unit has worked well with my Micro-Lite. It got the spare off the back bumper. Benefits: no bumper overhang so my length is slightly less, and no unsightly, oversized, droopy, dealership installed and logo applied, tire cover. (it resembled a full diaper.) I have used the spare once and it was very easy to access.

Hope this helps.

[youroo]

Agree with post# 2 & 3 use bolts and locking Nuts! That means "Dropping the Belly cover"! Youroo!!

[saus]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

I've been happy with mine. See here:

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

Thanks. The only difference is that I have a D frame and not an I Beam so the brackets would be a little different.

[hbillsmith]

I use it to carry my PortaBote hull. Used bolts and lock nuts. You would measure tire and place according.

[Maggiewaggie]

My hubby installed ours like "Rollinstone" did, with an exposed underbelly on the RV and it was easy enough to remove the spare when we needed it. Worked well, but may not be same as yours.

[Jim in Halifax]

Have had one on our CC-29RE...Great!!! Only had to use it once.....Just keep it well oiled/greesed

[TheGatherer]

I have an open non-enclosed frame and made a spare tire rack in the front using 2x2x3/16ths angle to mount the spare tire hoist from a small dodge truck (it doesn't have to be dodge that's what worked for me) and fabricated a crank extension through the frame in front with a 1/2" bolt welded on the end.. so I can put my cordless drill and raise or lower the spare as needed. The one piece of angle didn't hold the tire still so I put a piece of 'bed rail' on each side to stabilize the tire.. Costs $28

[saus]

[QUOTE=RollnStone;1782160]I have the model that works with a non-enclosed belly. In my case there is plenty of clearance as it is higher than my axles, and just forward of them.

After trying to figure out where to place mine, it looks like I would have to put it half way between the rear tires and the bumper. That is due to the gas line and other things in the way. This is about 3 feet behind the rear tires. I hope that isn't too far back. More weight on the axles, less on the pin.

[Sc00ter]

Installed one last season. No issues. It holds a spare tire and a portable waste tank. To bolster the extra weight I use two 500# rated ratcheting tie downs webbed underneath and attached to points on the frame rails.

[CAMPINGADDICT]

Originally Posted by Sc00ter

Installed one last season. No issues. It holds a spare tire and a portable waste tank. To bolster the extra weight I use two 500# rated ratcheting tie downs webbed underneath and attached to points on the frame rails.

Any chance you could post a pic of this? I would love to be able to do this with my spare and waste tank.

[Kaadk]

This is some shots of the factory installed one I took during the PDI on our new fifth wheel:

Sorry that it’s only the two, must have missed the one on the other end.

[Sc00ter]

This is not my rig. This is the photo I found somewhere that was the inspiration for my setup. I am planning on removing the cover tomorrow (YAY) and will take some pics then. For the record, I figured the thickness of a standard 15” tire and bought a tote commiserate with that in thickness. I have the plastic underbelly and the tote does push up against it but I figure that helps stabilize it going down the road.

[Lskeen]

I installed one on my 5th wheel with the enclosed underbelly. Installation was easily. I had to predrill the holes and then used self tapping screws. The only thing I wish I knew was to set the wheel up with some extra lugs nuts rather than letting the tire rest on the conduit frame. I tried to use my spare once and notice the conduit indention on the side of the tire. My tire store said that could damage to the wire in the tire and cause a blowout. I am going to try an additional set of lug nuts to possibly raise the wheel enough to not have as much weight of the tire resting on the conduit.

[WNY_Clipper]

Originally Posted by Sc00ter

This is not my rig. This is the photo I found somewhere that was the inspiration for my setup. I am planning on removing the cover tomorrow (YAY) and will take some pics then. For the record, I figured the thickness of a standard 15” tire and bought a tote commiserate with that in thickness. I have the plastic underbelly and the tote does push up against it but I figure that helps stabilize it going down the road.

What is the measurement of the clearance and what size tote did you go with?

[dlwilliams48]

I have one on my 2016 243RBS and had to remove the spare recently in a campground because of a flat. It wasn't easy to get the locking knob unscrewed and removed, probably could have used some lubricant. The only thing I found was that when I put the thing back into position under the camper (without a tire on it), the holes would not line up for the locking knob and I never could get it screwed back in. I finally duck taped the heck out of it to hold it, and made it home a few hundred miles. Thinking about it, I am wondering if the weight of the spare will put enough downward pressure on the rails to cause the holes to line up. Has anyone else experienced this when putting the thing back into position? I do like having the spare underneath and out of the way.

Right now I still have my spare in the back of by TV, I'm leaving Saturday on another trip, and not sure I am going to fool with it until I get back home in a month or so.

[Sc00ter]

“What is the measurement of the clearance and what size tote did you go with?”

Away from the camper for a few days, will post info and pics later this week.