BAL Hide A Spare leaves dents in side wall

[Ron045]

Hi all,

Getting ready to start season number 6 and I decided to replace all the tires (spare included).

I feel very fortunate to have never had a flat tire. So, the spare has been mounted to the Hide and Spare bars under the rig for 5 seasons.

When I removed the spare tire, it had permanent dents in the sidewalls where the bars were. Now I really feel lucky I did not need it.

Just wondering if anyone else encountered this? Did I tighten it down too much? I was considering adding a block of wood between the rim and the hide a spare plate so that there was a tiny bit of separation between the tire and the bars.

I wish I took a picture of the tire, but I did not. This picture is from a BAL video. You can see some indentation even when they do it.

Thanks for your thoughts.
Ron

[SeaDog]

You could add a spacer to keep the tire from getting the dents as long as it was made such to hold thing securely. I suspect that any dents in the tire would quickly dispensary once the tire was rolling down the road and heated up. JMHO

[NavyLCDR]

The spare tire under my Dodge Durango had those dents. I never thought them to be a problem, but never had to use the spare tire either. It held air just fine.

[lwbfl]

It's normal, I'd bet your tow vehicle has the same thing on it's spare tire. This is another reason you're supposed to include your spare in tire rotation. I'm sure after several years it could present a problem.

[Larry-NC]

If you have clearance, you could slide a piece of plywood under the tire to distribute the weight.

[pmsherman]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

If you have clearance, you could slide a piece of plywood under the tire to distribute the weight.

I'd also add a bolt to hold the plywood to the spare. You'll need a smaller piece of plywood to make a support for the bolt if you decide to use the hub hole of the wheel for the bolt. If you use one of the lug nut holes, a fender washer should do. I'd also use stainless bolts and nuts. A self locking nut or a pair of nuts tightened against each other will prevent vibration from loosening everything.

Phil

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by pmsherman

I'd also add a bolt to hold the plywood to the spare. You'll need a smaller piece of plywood to make a support for the bolt if you decide to use the hub hole of the wheel for the bolt. If you use one of the lug nut holes, a fender washer should do. I'd also use stainless bolts and nuts. A self locking nut or a pair of nuts tightened against each other will prevent vibration from loosening everything.

Phil

What's the benefit of adding a bolt? The tire and plywood are clamped together in a sandwich when the mount is tightened. It would be just one more (possibly muddy or rusted) thing to try to get off when you're stopped on the side of the road.

It would be about equally easy to slide the tire and plywood in together or to slide the plywood in first and then slide the tire atop it.

[Ron045]

Wow... Thanks so much for the idea of plywood. Perfect solution and fit.

I think I'll just put a few coats of paint on it to help protect from the elements.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Ron045

Wow... Thanks so much for the idea of plywood. Perfect solution and fit.

I think I'll just put a few coats of paint on it to help protect from the elements.Attachment 271258Attachment 271259

Looks good. I hadn't envisioned cutting it circular. I was thinking of a square, bigger than the tire, and butting against the hinge end so it wouldn't move when you slid the tire over it. Your solution is nicer since it won't carry dust and mud in the exposed corners.