Spare Tire Mount for Class C

[SteveCie]

SPARE TIRE
After deciding to procure and carry a spare wheel and tire for my Freedom Elite 26HE, it came time to come up with a way to store it. I pull a Tow Dolly for our car, so the conventional hitch mounted tire rack would only be possible with a nearly $600 device to accommodate my hitch for the dolly as well as the tire rack. Instead, I used a Curt Trailer Hitch Mounted Spare Tire Carrier
Item # C31006, mounted into a Ultra-Fab 2" Motor Home Trailer Hitch Receiver for 4" x 4" Bumpers. I installed the Hitch receiver upside down on the 4" bumper, directly in line with the chassis mount. This provides additional strength by placing the load evenly on the chassis frame instead of placing the stress on the provided U-Bolts and bumper. This will prevent potential bending/denting of the bumper from the 75 lb spare tire. The best part of this besides being very strong - the two parts cost me less than $ 135.00 and took less than 10 minutes to install.

[Pete'sMH]

When I had my FE 26HE and wanted to carry a spare I contacted Thor to see if the bumper was strong enough to do what you did. It may have just been a lawyer answer but I was told under no circumstances could the bumper support a tire. I decided to believe them and bought the expensive hitch mounted pass through carrier. Check the welds on your bumper mounts frequently!

[cpmath]

What about the right tail light being covered/hidden or is that an optical illusion.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by cpmath

What about the right tail light being covered/hidden or is that an optical illusion.

And the license plate??

[SteveCie]

License plate and tail light are both visible, no problem. It was just the angle of my photo that makes them appear invisible.

[SteveCie]

By mounting the bracket directly over the frame rail, the weight of the 75 lb spare is directly on the frame, not the bumper. I've had it on for the past 24,000 miles and it works well.

[Linda M.]

I like your idea. We are thinking about doing the same thing on our Thor Daybreak 22DB. Is this still working for you?

[TheGoodLife]

Same here, I like this idea and will try it myself. Alternatively if need be the spare tire carrier itself can be mounted on the hitch receiver on our toad.

[PreCambrian]

I have considered a lot of options for a spare tire carrier. Your solution is one of the easiest. How is it working now? Any problems with the welds on your bumper? The other option I am considering is a double receiver hitch. https://www.amazon.com/CURT-45792-Re...52257097&psc=1

[10scDust]

I like this idea and how the tire is off center from the trailer hitch itself. I purchased an extension for the ball. It is about 15 inches further out from the bumper than a normal ball is located. Caveat: the safety chains were short so I had to add for that, harness could be affected and easy fix of an extension.

Our dilemma is we have a toy hauler. I had to figure a way to carry the spare in the space forward of the trailer hitch. I used a 2" pipe to span slotted holes already on the framework to allow my carrier to tilt down. Of course, I needed to add a way to bolt it up near the hitch under there. It works well and I was glad to have a spare with me once. Sorry no pictures at this time.

Caveat on this: you need to bring coveralls and a carpet throw to lay on.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Originally Posted by SteveCie

License plate and tail light are both visible, no problem. It was just the angle of my photo that makes them appear invisible.

Your angle in the photo was directly from the center of the rear of your coach...right where people following you will be and see. It could be an issue for a bored police officer looking for an excuse to shake someone down at 2AM in the morning. Your "corrected" angle shot was far to the right. It a bad accident it could pose a liability issue for you. But, nice job in the mount.

[JimEasTexas]

I carry spare in toad.

[Roadking545]

Originally Posted by SteveCie

SPARE TIRE
After deciding to procure and carry a spare wheel and tire for my Freedom Elite 26HE, it came time to come up with a way to store it. I pull a Tow Dolly for our car, so the conventional hitch mounted tire rack would only be possible with a nearly $600 device to accommodate my hitch for the dolly as well as the tire rack. Instead, I used a Curt Trailer Hitch Mounted Spare Tire Carrier
Item # C31006, mounted into a Ultra-Fab 2" Motor Home Trailer Hitch Receiver for 4" x 4" Bumpers. I installed the Hitch receiver upside down on the 4" bumper, directly in line with the chassis mount. This provides additional strength by placing the load evenly on the chassis frame instead of placing the stress on the provided U-Bolts and bumper. This will prevent potential bending/denting of the bumper from the 75 lb spare tire. The best part of this besides being very strong - the two parts cost me less than $ 135.00 and took less than 10 minutes to install.

Can I ask where did you get your rim and tire? And were there any issues with fitment?

[10scDust]

Originally Posted by Roadking545

Can I ask where did you get your rim and tire? And were there any issues with fitment?

For our 2016 Outlaw on the Ford E450 platform. The dual wheels on the rear, and the front tire rim, were the same as a 2000 Ford F350 dually, i.e. 1 ton rim.

Check at a tire place, preferably one that has been around for a long time and you should get reliable information. (Bias opinion of mine: do not to go to like a Walmart tire service center and ask questions)

Of course, you could bring a tire/rim assembly with you for comparison and measurements.
Or, a junk yard could set you up with one that compares reasonably cheaper. I mean it's a spare, does it need to be squeaky clean new looking?
There is always a can of white rattle can!

[roadsendmom]

Spare has been mounted on rear bumper for a few years now. No problems

[PreCambrian]

Thanks for the update. I see that you have a new spare tire cover.

[Coveman2]

I also have the Curt Tire mount and it works great. Just a word of caution if driving in Canada , before I bought it I checked the local police and was told that the plate has to be totally visible and had to have a light on the plate holder.
Coveman2

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Coveman2

I also have the Curt Tire mount and it works great. Just a word of caution if driving in Canada , before I bought it I checked the local police and was told that the plate has to be totally visible and had to have a light on the plate holder.
Coveman2

I believe that's true everywhere, just not strictly enforced.

[Coveman2]

Up here the fine in Ontario is $100 so I moved mine to the farthest spot on the passenger side of the coach and had it wired for the light. You are probably right about not being enforced but did not want to take the chance, you never know if you get an police officer needing something to do on a slow ticket day !!
Coveman2

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

I believe that's true everywhere, just not strictly enforced.

They’ll get you in Indiana though. And they don’t much like obscure plates anywhere where you go through toll situations that rely on readers.