BAL Hide-A-Spare on RPOD?

We just installed one. Our's is a Hood River Edition, so the spare is a bit on the jumbo side. Took a shoehorn, but we got 'er done. We mounted the thing with 5/16" SS bolts, and they have to be drilled ALL THE WAY to the bottom of the frame. It just fits.

I used large self tappers for mine. Just did 1600 miles and did have some screws come loose....none were on the Hide a Spare.

I can't remember the model # but you will have to cut the rails to fit our frames.

Originally posted by GlueGuy Originally posted by geewizard Originally posted by GlueGuy We just installed one. Our's is a Hood River Edition, so the spare is a bit on the jumbo side. Took a shoehorn, but we got 'er done. We mounted the thing with 5/16" SS bolts, and they have to be drilled ALL THE WAY to the bottom of the frame. It just fits. Good deal.  Which model Hide-A-Spare did you buy?  And what do you mean "they have to be drilled ALL THE WAY to the bottom of the frame."?  It looked to me as if the attach hardware mounts horizontally into the side of the frame. Mine is a HRE as well with the bigger spare tire. thanks. I think ours is the 28217. The brackets "step out" on both sides. That said, we had to shorten the extension tubes by about 5 inches and re-drill the holes. It wasn't exactly plug-n-play, but it was not complicated. We had to use the holes at the very top of the mounting brackets (2 on each side), and we had to place the holes through the frame as close to the bottom of the frame as they would go; about 1/2" above the bottom of the frame members. We used 3" SS bolts plus SS nyloc nuts. Don't forget the anti-seize. In a moment of absent thought, one of our bolts did not get anti-seize, and the nut seized up. We had to cut it off and start over on that one.

Originally posted by geewizard GlueGuy, have you had any issues with the BAL tire carrier bottoming out when crossing rough terrain, ditches, etc?

We have not towed with it yet, but it does hang down a bit. In the final position the cross tubes are about the same level as the dump tubes (just scosh higher). The tire is another inch or so higher than that, and forward of the receiver a little more than a foot. Given the angles and stuff, I think the stabilizer jacks will hit first.

Here's a pic of mine I had to set it lower by 1.5" so the hood river tire would fit.