Spare tire question

[Yvonnemarc]

Same here. But then 19.5s are much heavier than E350s.

[Mag]

Your unit sits on a Ford chassis so you have 5yr, 60,000 mile road side assistance included from Ford. You can check it out online. I have a spare on my hitch similar to Vegas 25.5. At least that way you have a spare to use.

[MLM]

Originally Posted by Mag

Your unit sits on a Ford chassis so you have 5yr, 60,000 mile road side assistance included from Ford. You can check it out online. I have a spare on my hitch similar to Vegas 25.5. At least that way you have a spare to use.

They didn’t tell me that when we got it. Do you know where I can get information on it?

[Mag]

They never do. The dealer tried to sell me RSA. I didn’t take it and checked online, Owner.Ford.com

[MLM]

Thanks I found it online 1-800-241-3673

[DavidEM]

I debated relying on the "free" Ford RSA for a new chassis, but decided on Good Sam's service. Why? Many things that might require RSA are not Ford related at least on my E350 based Class A Axis.

For example if the slide or awning can't be retracted at a campsite, Ford won't help with that. At least Good Sams presumably understands that and can dispatch the right person to help.

David

[Robert H.]

I don't like not having a spare, and may carry an unmounted tire on longer trips. That way, at least we wouldn't be stuck paying for an overpriced tire that doesn't exactly match our other tires.

I removed the ladder from our Vegas, and will comment it is mounted with small short screws that only go into the fiberglass shell.

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by Robert H.

I don't like not having a spare, and may carry an unmounted tire on longer trips. That way, at least we wouldn't be stuck paying for an overpriced tire that doesn't exactly match our other tires.

I removed the ladder from our Vegas, and will comment it is mounted with small short screws that only go into the fiberglass shell.

My thoughts exactly. Plus, not sure I wanna wait 2-4 hrs for help in an area where there’s limited cell service.

So I purchased a just used tire that matches the other 6 and an aftermarket rim.
It’s mounted under the rear.

Even though I’ve got hydraulic levelers installed on my rig...I still carry a small bottle jack, along with a good breaker bar, overalls and gloves.

A full write-up on this was done in another thread in 2019.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Robert H.

I don't like not having a spare, and may carry an unmounted tire on longer trips. That way, at least we wouldn't be stuck paying for an overpriced tire that doesn't exactly match our other tires.

I removed the ladder from our Vegas, and will comment it is mounted with small short screws that only go into the fiberglass shell.

I understand this sentiment but I look at it differently. Unless you have a flat promptly after buying your tires your spare will be pretty mismatched anyway. Without a spare you might end up with an odd orphan tire on the road - or maybe even a used tire - but it’ll get you going again to a place where you can get a proper fix. In my case I’d probably buy two new tires for the front. I’ve been driving for over half a century and have NEVER had to change a tire on the road. I’d be worried that my spare will age out and never be used. The certain cost of a nice spare now as opposed to a possible cost of a tire on the road. Waiting for help might be inconvenient but at least I’ll have a comfortable place to do it in. Whatever works!

[TerryJames]

Just for interest:
How we access our Axis aft storage easily with the spare on the hitch. Pull one pin ... Rotates back for access …
pull second pin ...and all the way down for spare removal / changeout.

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=45

[cavie]

Originally Posted by DavidEM

I bought a spare tire and wheel from Town Fair Tire for about $240. I already had the 1/2 breaker bar and 7/8" socket to remove the lug nuts but I bought a 4 ton bottle jack and a jack stand. I can now change a tire myself.

And despite the naysayers on another thread, I mounted the tire on the rear ladder of my Axis. It took a couple of 1/2" J bolts and extensions, all about $20 to mount it. It attaches right at a support strut, clears the tail light fine and doesn't intrfere with the rear hatch. No loosening of the ladder attachments so far. See the pics below.

The only real problem was lifting it in place with my 74 YO back and arms. After trying the hard way, I threw a rope over the top rung and used that to help hoist it in place.

David

You're gonna pull the ladder right off the RV. But hey it's your rig. Please install a safety chain so as not to injure someone with your decision.

[lwmcguire]

Safety chain is an absolute must and keep it short so the tire doesn't bounce when the ladder comes loose

Originally Posted by cavie

You're gonna pull the ladder right off the RV. But hey it's your rig. Please install a safety chain so as not to injure someone with your decision.

[Finally Retired]

I see mention of the Roadmaster Hitch Mount Spare Tire Carrier. Looks great, but it is expensive. I just bought a 2012 Thor ACE 29.1 and it doesn't have a spare. Question: The bumper seems rather robust, is it strong enough to support a 225 / 19.5 tire? If so, does anyone know where to find the carrier made to bolt on the bumper?

[paulwadley]

Some have had issue with a bumper mount spare tire holder breaking the welds where the bumper attaches to the frame. Check to be sure the welds are solid and can hold the weight before going that route. If you are not using your trailer hitch for towing, there are many other trailer hitch spare tire mounts that are less in price than the Roadmaster. They may not fold down but would be a better idea than a bumper mount. Etrailer.com offers several hitch mounts.

Paul

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Finally Retired

I see mention of the Roadmaster Hitch Mount Spare Tire Carrier. Looks great, but it is expensive. I just bought a 2012 Thor ACE 29.1 and it doesn't have a spare. Question: The bumper seems rather robust, is it strong enough to support a 225 / 19.5 tire? If so, does anyone know where to find the carrier made to bolt on the bumper?

I have a 2016 ACE with a steel bumper. No way is it robust enough to handle the torque applied by the weight of a 19.5" spare tire and wheel on a carrier.

[Pete'sMH]

Armchair engineering is risky. I elected to just pop for the Roadmaster and it is a fine piece of kit. It’ll outlast several coaches and is easy to use. I’m not currently using mine though because my towed needs a bigger drop than it did on my last coach. You can buy them in whatever drop you need.

[JimEasTexas]

I carry my spare in the toad. Class C E450 tire mounted on rim.

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by Finally Retired

I see mention of the Roadmaster Hitch Mount Spare Tire Carrier. Looks great, but it is expensive. I just bought a 2012 Thor ACE 29.1 and it doesn't have a spare. Question: The bumper seems rather robust, is it strong enough to support a 225 / 19.5 tire? If so, does anyone know where to find the carrier made to bolt on the bumper?

Bumpers are NOT robust and not much more than a sewer hose holder.

[R7000]

I'm just seeing this thread now. I worked 36 yrs as a registered mechanical engineer and I've investigated a lot of accidents, some of them with my career a** on the line. There is no way I would mount the spare on the ladder. I was on my ladder yesterday (I weight 2 bills) and was concerned. The possible consequences of the ladder mount spare are not worth the benefits in my opinion. I'm going to strap my spare into the storage compartment and preserve the trailer hitch for bikes and such. My two cents.

[Duck Soup]

In the past we had a Forest River Salem TT. We were full-timers and had a few flats due to being a bit overloaded. We used a farm jack on the rear bumper and jacked up the unit to change to a spare. This even happened on the side of I-10 in the middle of Tucson in afternoon traffic. We never had problems with that bumper.
No one ever told me not to use it as a lifting point. Worked great.