Axis / Vegas - Show us your spare tire solutions

[Yvonnemarc]

I got my wheel from http://www.wheelsnowinc.com/
Ford sells the wheel for $805 but through some research I found they don’t stock it and it’s discontinued. There is a replacement but I didn’t explore that avenue. I did find a company that could make me the wheel for $266 but it’s a 16 week lead time. So my search led to the link above. He had several of my model wheels on the shelf. It arrived in about 3 days. It is a refurb but looks brand new and I tested the trueness at the tire shop... dead nuts!! My tire shop mounted and balanced for $36. The tire wheel combo didn’t require any weights. The tech showed me the combo spinning up to 50 mph and both lights on the unit were green indicating perfectly balanced as is. Can’t ask for better than that.

[99dart]

Originally Posted by Beau388

In 22 years of traveling in a class A RV,, I have had to use road side service for a failed tire four times. The first question asked "Do you have a serviceable aired-up spare with you?" Try to find a 245/70-19.5 tire on any dealers shelf, to say nothing of a 6.75-19.5 steel rim. Took me two months to find a spare rim for $175. My Ford car dealer want $695 to order just the rim. Just my take....

I agree completely! I don't want be left sitting in a bad area because I didn't have a spare. I won't be changing it myself, but a tire service can sure get you going.

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by Big-Foot

I was amazed that the Axis & Vegas are using such small (LT225x75 R16) wheels and tires.. Fairly light in comparison to the 22’s on our last coach.. Still running pretty closely to the edge when it comes to load vs. capacity I would think...

I have a 24.1. Is there any thing special about the 16" rim? I haven't seen anything on these forums, but when I looked at my tires, it said specifically (right on the tire): CAUTION DO NOT MOUNT ON 16.5" RIM. Why would they say that? Is that common for people to try to mount a 16" tire on a 16.5" rim?

Either way, after reading about everyone's experience with tire services not having the correct rim/tire combo, I'm thinking it will be a good idea to have one with us.

[taylorbob1]

I ordered a 16” rim from Amazon ($83, no tax free ship). Arrived today.
The “gently used” (like new tire) should arrive in a day or so. Ordered thru Ebay for $110 (no tax, free ship)
The tire I ordered is what’s OEM on my Vegas (Michelin 225/75R16 LTX M/S2)

I’ll keep you posted on my underside mounting.

[Beau388]

(quote) I just ordered the New! 16” rim on Amazon ($80, no tax, free ship), a bit cheaper than anywhere else. I couldn’t find a used rim and was not willing to wait
I got a good buy a on a just used Michelin LTX 225-75-16 MS2 ($107, no tax, free ship). It matches my other 6 tires.
Rim & tire will arrive this week (quote). I would be interested to know the date code on the tire when it arrives.

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

I ordered a 16” rim from Amazon ($83, no tax free ship). Arrived today.
The “gently used” (like new tire) should arrive in a day or so. Ordered thru Ebay for $110 (no tax, free ship)
The tire I ordered is what’s OEM on my Vegas (Michelin 225/75R16 LTX M/S2)

I’ll keep you posted on my underside mounting.

Would you mind posting a link to your Amazon wheel, please? I'd love to make sure I'm buying the same one that will fit our 24.1.

Thanks!

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by TimmyB

Would you mind posting a link to your Amazon wheel, please? I'd love to make sure I'm buying the same one that will fit our 24.1.

Thanks!

16" Wheel for E350/450

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

16" Wheel for E350/450

Thanks, Bob!

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by Beau388

(quote) I would be interested to know the date code on the tire when it arrives.

I can tell you that my '17 Vegas with an in-service date of 8/18 has a Michelin date code of...
~ 3116 = 31st week of year 2016

The Ebay tire comes from a reputable seller with many other just used tires for sale.
But I'll find out shortly.

Either way...it's a spare that i hope to never ever use.

[taylorbob1]

The EBay Michelin tire arrived yesterday.
Looks as new as my dual rears, no noticeable wear.

Date code:
~ 1113 = 11th week of year 2013

So similar date to any 2014’s on the road

For $107 I’m a happy camper

Next...mount tire & rim, then install under rear end between gas tank and hitch.

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

The EBay Michelin tire arrived yesterday.
Looks as new as my dual rears, no noticeable wear.

Date code:
~ 1113 = 11th week of year 2013

So similar date to any 2014’s on the road

For $107 I’m a happy camper

Next...mount tire & rim, then install under rear end between gas tank and hitch.

Nice. Can you post pics of your under-coach mount when you have a chance? I'd love to see what you created.

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by TimmyB

Nice. Can you post pics of your under-coach mount when you have a chance? I'd love to see what you created.

It’ll be similar to this install that I found on another thread.

He used a 2” x 6” along the front end
I’m going to try 2” channel iron on front, then slide the spare in, push up, then another piece of channel iron across rear
Then bolt into place
Will need to be unbolted when needed so it’ll slide out the back side

The issue discussed in that previous thread identified the trailer hitch wire loom as being in the way, and needs to be re-located

I’ll know more shortly

[taylorbob1]

Gently used tire and new rim are now mounted, and placed under the rear of my Vegas 24.1
Not yet securely supported, but I have the materials to finalize.
Will be using Channel Iron, placed from side to side and fastened to the frame

Note...
~ I had to reduce the air pressure to 20# so that it would fit between the trailer hitch and the floorboard. If spare is ever needed, I will use my on-board air compressor to re-inflate on-site
~ also I moved and secured the wire loom, temporarily moved the trailer light harness. Once tire/rim is secured, I’ll re-fasten the trailer light harness in its original place

Here are some photos of the placement...

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

Gently used tire and new rim are now mounted, and placed under the rear of my Vegas 24.1
Not yet securely supported, but I have the materials to finalize.
Will be using Channel Iron, placed from side to side and fastened to the frame

Note...
~ I had to reduce the air pressure to 20# so that it would fit between the trailer hitch and the floorboard. If spare is ever needed, I will use my on-board air compressor to re-inflate on-site
~ also I moved and secured the wire loom, temporarily moved the trailer light harness. Once tire/rim is secured, I’ll re-fasten the trailer light harness in its original place

Here are some photos of the placement...

Nice job, Bob! I hope I can do something like this, sooner rather than later.

[Big-Foot]

Nice work guys!!!!
I started to accumulate the parts I was going to need to do an under-chassis mount on my Vegas 25.5 and then got under it last night to take some measurements.
Crud!
I have only about 24” between the black tank and fuel tank. The mounted spare tire is 29.125” tall. Even deflating it all the way, I could not stuff it in there and if I have either the front or the rear of the spare hanging down, it will be a problem for clearance...
So - I’m back to the drawing board and am likely to clone or make a close copy of the Roadmaster hitch based mount.

[Long & Winding road]

Nice Job Taylor Bob (hey the rhymes).

Post more pictures when done please. For now I have a tire plug kit and a large can of fix a flat. I have yet to decide on which compressor to purchase. Which Compressor are you using? I like Viair but they are $$

I may add a spare later (lots of room under mine with my 25.4 floor plan (27 foot long). But I hope to add a toad next year so I may just keep it in the truck of the toad.

[Long & Winding road]

Originally Posted by Big-Foot

Nice work guys!!!!
I started to accumulate the parts I was going to need to do an under-chassis mount on my Vegas 25.5 and then got under it last night to take some measurements.
Crud!
I have only about 24” between the black tank and fuel tank. The mounted spare tire is 29.125” tall. Even deflating it all the way, I could not stuff it in there and if I have either the front or the rear of the spare hanging down, it will be a problem for clearance...
So - I’m back to the drawing board and am likely to clone or make a close copy of the Roadmaster hitch based mount.

Wow. Im surprized by that. I would have figured you had enough room with your 25.5! Let us know know what you figure out for your install.

[jimmyzshack]

we put ours in the jeep. i don't see a spot under the 2018 25.3 to put it.

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by jimmyzshack

we put ours in the jeep. i don't see a spot under the 2018 25.3 to put it.

it's a heavy "mow-fo" to move in and out of a Toad.
and i really didn't want it on a bumper mount on the Vegas.
quite frankly, if i hadn't been able to find room underneath, i probably would have gone without spare

[taylorbob1]

All done
Used “uni-strut” material to support the spare in position
Existing holes in frame, so no drilling required
I placed some foam between the rim and the floorboard to eliminate chafing and vibration
Then once in place, I added air to about 20# which tightened it up, no movement