Spare Tire Mount on Front [Critique]
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11469
Printed Date: 01 May 2024 at 8:12pm
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Topic: Spare Tire Mount on Front [Critique]
Posted By: HikerSteve
Subject: Spare Tire Mount on Front [Critique]
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 6:20pm
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I am looking for input on my front tire mount. After much playing around with different ideas I ended up having the best luck with mounting a 2" Bumper Adaptor at an angle and using a reducer. I thought about using a standard mount but couldn't get it to fit between the jack and the weight distribution. I had to mount it on an angle so it will fit, with it straight on the tire hit the camper. I am using a pin to hold it because I may need to get at the weight distribution which I like using when on longer trips. Anyway I bolted it up and jumped around on it, pushed it around, shook it, and it seems to be as solid as I need for hanging a spare tire. I just wanted to get some opinions in case there is something I am missing. Thanks!       |
Replies:
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 6:29pm
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I think you have reduced your ability to turn right. Have no idea how much, and only time will tell if you start making contact with tow vehicle. There is a significant reason the tow potion of the tongue is V shaped, good luck. I would try hard turns and see what the effect is. The bumper could push the tire back into the camper. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: HikerSteve
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 6:48pm
Hmmm... good call. Not sure if forward driving would be an issue but backing could be a potential issue. I will have to keep an eye on it for both. Unfortunately, I won't be hooking up till the 10th.
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 7:00pm
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As long as you were cutting and welding, you might have been able to put a 2" insert in place of the 1-1/4" insert on the original spare mount. That "could" have made the assembly shorter and snooked it up closer to the trailer frame. Would have been stronger too. But I do like the general concept. Takes the spare weight off the trailer axle and adds it to the tow vehicle via higher tongue weight. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 10:50pm
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I made a similar mod to my 172 in order to carry bikes on the back. Maybe this thread will give you some ideas. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3132&KW=spare+tire&PID=29715&title=tongue-mounted-spare-tire-on-172#29715 - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3132&KW=spare+tire&PID=29715&title=tongue-mounted-spare-tire-on-172#29715 It uses the OEM tire mount. I used the same Swagman adapter but used a sleeve insert to reduce from 2" to 1.25". This gets the tire closer to the frame, reducing the lever arm. It also allows use of the side bolt to eliminate the wobble/rattle of the tire. I was also able to mount the adapter and tire parallel to the frame and redrill the adapter to better fit the 2" frame width. I had a WDH but it was an E2 that mounts differently. You can see it in the pictures. The concern with your angle mounting is the uneven bending forces on the adapter. If you really torque down on the adapter bolts, as you should, you might induce a failure of the welds or bending of the plates. All that said, you're well on your way. My tongue mount worked well until I moved the bikes to a Swagman basket carrier between the TT and TV. That worked the best because it got the bikes off the rear of the camper. That's a very inhospitable environment for bikes. That change sent the spare back to the rear bumper where it started life. good luck on your project. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 7:52am
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We moved our spare to the A frame. first, we moved the propane tank as far forward as possible. This gave us more room for the spare. We used the original spare mounting post and cut the bottom"L" part off, leaving just the vertical post. we welded this post directly to the A frame. this is very close to the hatch on our expedition-we have about 2" of clearance, but it does not affect turning Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 7:59am
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Pod People - look at the picture of your spare mount and how close it is inboard to the frame. Then go back and look at how far outboard and close to trailer side Hiker Steve's mount is, that is the point running radius will be effected. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: texman
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 10:00am
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did you consider the BAL tire carrier that mounts underneath the trailer in the rear? ------------- TexMan 2015 182g 2018 Sequoia http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9122&title=texman-182g-mods - TexManMods |
Posted By: HikerSteve
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 6:53pm
Do you have pictures or a write up of your current set up? Essentially that is what prompted the move is for me to haul bikes off the back.
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Posted By: HikerSteve
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 6:56pm
I did and I really like it. Currently I scrape getting the camper in the driveway if I don't hit the angle just right so my fear with the BAL is clearance getting in and out of my driveway.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 9:33pm
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I do have a BAL carrier that I am no longer using since I made a ladder carrier and sewer hose carrier that take up that space. I would prefer to find a new home for it rather than let it sit and rust or throw it in the trash. Since the BAL sits closer to the axle than the rear jacks, it is less likely to scrape. It sits as high as the steps since the tire sits recessed between the frame rails and not below them. I don't think you would have any problems with one. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 10:20pm
My original write up and pictures got lost with the new forum. @fwunder copied my original mod and posted new pictures http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9619&KW=swagman&PID=90640&title=mount-bike-rack-in-place-of-spare#90640 - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9619&KW=swagman&PID=90640&title=mount-bike-rack-in-place-of-spare#90640. Scroll to the top to see his installation. I still have pictures but posting them to this forum is a PITA. Send me a PM with your email and I'll send them to you. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 12:01am
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HikerSteve, Here's my take on a front tire mount (the bike thing) before I got the BAL undermount unit, Which took some pounds off the front and put it down low just in front of the axle, (on a 180), And allowed for other tongue mods. I think you will find the undermount does not really impact ground clearance so much as you don't put it all the way out back, should sit forward a few feet from the rear on a 179. This is really the best way to go to keep tongue weight down. IMHO. Taking the tire off the back and moving it up front means less weight in back and more on the tongue, Think teeter totter.
I played with the same mount you have and it messed with the ability to back up tight into my awkward driveway, so I did this.
 I used the tire carrier, notched the front angle iron that holds the batteries and welded it all together. Had to move the propane tank a few inches forward , and the tire sat nice and tight on the frame. I even added a second tank and it worked well. I just noticed your battery's sit higher and further forward than mine and would require a bit more work to put fit it all in.  Here's the undermount unit, 14" in front of the axle on the 180.  And now the front looks like this.  I am thinking of re-doing the whole thing now to reduce weight up front, with all my mods inside and out, I'm now pushing 600 lbs up front on the ball, with the empty front fresh tank. (2 propane tanks, elec jack, battery box & 2 GC-6volts, Plus the inside twin bed stuff and drawers. Or maybe just a custom lift and move the axle forward til it gets under 500 lbs with the fresh tank full. cheers, John ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost 
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Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 5:23am
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When we had our r-pod 171, I bought from Northern Tool a spare tire carrier bracket that I bolted to the front frame and I don't remember it ever being a problem with sharp turns. I did it to move more weight forward for better towing with less sway. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: HikerSteve
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 7:17pm
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Anyone have one of these? I might just get it and put the tire on the back again. https://goo.gl/UzokqN
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Posted By: HikerSteve
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 7:20pm
Yeah, looking at the pictures it might not be too bad. Right now I can scrape a rear jack if I don't hit the driveway right. Being centered like that might not be bad. What do you want for yours? I might give it a try.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 9:50pm
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |