Spare Tire for my new Axis

DavidEM · 03-29-2021, 12:17 AM

Tomorrow I am heading over to Town Fair Tire to order a spare tire and wheel. About $90 for a new tire, a cheap but serviceable brand, and a new wheel for about $110. So $200 for the package.

I think I can mount it on the rear ladder using a couple of 1/2" J bolts. Easy enough to remove if I need to climb up. The tire and wheel weigh about 60 lbs which is doable.

The other thing I am considering is the ability to change out a tire myself. I will need a 4 ton bottle jack and a heavy duty jack stand. I can get both of those for about $75. I have the necessary 1/2" drive breaker bar and socket. Specs say the lug nut torque is 140 ft lbs which is similar to a big SUV.

Being able to change out a tire without calling for roadside assistance is a big relief for me.

David

**16ACE27** · 03-29-2021, 12:51 AM

I would NOT mount a spare on the rear ladder. They have a hard enough time holding themselves up.

paulwadley · 03-29-2021, 12:52 AM

Be careful with adding that weight(rim and tire plus mount) to your rear ladder. They are usually not strong enough to hold that weight. The bouncing up and down on the road places a lot of stress and weight on the ladder. The screws will pull out and your tire may be rolling down the highway behind you. You might consider a hitch tire mount that goes directly into your rear trailer hitch. It is much stronger. They can be found at most r v supply stores(Camping World, ETrailer.com, Amazon...).

Paul

DavidEM · 03-29-2021, 02:37 AM

C’mon guys. That ladder has to be good for a 200+ lb human. The tire and wheel are less than 1/3 of that. No reasonable amount of bouncing force is going to exceed 200 lbs.

But we will see.

David

Lt Keefer · 03-29-2021, 02:47 AM

I liked the ability to change my own flats when I had a 30 foot class c. It came with a spare mounted on a rack that was attached to the rear wall of the coach. I used it when the OEM Firestone tread let go at 65 MPH. Lucky for me the rear mud flap deflected the tread and I suffered no other damage. But if I was you, I would be researching how to replace your roof ladder after the bouncing spare has wallored out all of it's mounting screws. Maybe you will be lucky and your toad will catch the ladder and spare before the vehicle behind you does.

lwmcguire · 03-29-2021, 10:34 AM

100% fact the ladder and tire will fall off and could cause a serious accident

Very bad idea

A 90 dollar tire is questionable as well for an RV

vegas25.5 · 03-29-2021, 11:39 AM

It made me sick to my stomach the cost of a Roadmaster Spare setup, a Ford OEM wheel and a tire. Frustrating that a spare tire is no longer a normal or standard option on any vehicle that is driven upon a highway / freeway. As a peace of mind, I had to have a spare tire option while on the road - hoping to never use it.

Shopped for various options both highend being the Roadmaster Spare setup to cheaper options like bumper / reciever spare tire holders. Additionally, I read threads with DIY options which worked for some models.

I started with a OEM Ford wheel and tire. Knowing this will not change and will be needed regardless of what means I use to attach it to our Vegas. Out of nowhere a Roadmaster Spare Tire Carrier popped up on CL. It was a done deal. Still spent way more than I wanted to but now have that needed peace of mind.

I would personally not do a ladder DIY set-up. I would use a basic reciever option for the spare like this....

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/reh-6715

Reasonably priced, practical and dependable.

taylorbob1 · 03-29-2021, 01:44 PM

Lots of threads on Vegas/Axis spare tire mounting options.
I like mine under the rear.
I tow a vehicle and have a bike rack on the rear with an over/under hitch mount.

With a little luck...I’ll never have the opportunity to use the spare (knock on wood).

**16ACE27** · 03-29-2021, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidEM

C’mon guys. That ladder has to be good for a 200+ lb human. The tire and wheel are less than 1/3 of that. No reasonable amount of bouncing force is going to exceed 200 lbs.

But we will see.

David

Here's a thought: Have you ever seen a spare tire attached to a ladder on any RV? I have not.

Some more opinions:
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/f...d/26440493.cfm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXQH1xBgnJI

DavidEM · 03-29-2021, 02:01 PM

I am not yet convinced I can't successfully strap my spare tire to the ladder on my new Axis. The ladder has a support at the bottom and at the top as well as two in the middle. Each support is two 1" tubes flanged to the back or top of the coach. This is about as sturdy a ladder as I have seen. Check out the attached pic.

David

DavidEM · 03-29-2021, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

Lots of threads on Vegas/Axis spare tire mounting options.
I like mine under the rear.
I tow a vehicle and have a bike rack on the rear with an over/under hitch mount.

With a little luck...I’ll never have the opportunity to use the spare (knock on wood).

I looked underneath my Axis and did note the large unused area in front of the bumper which looks ideal to carry the spare. I see you attached a couple of unistruts to support the tire. What keeps the tire from sliding out? It looks like it is just laying on the unistruts.

David

taylorbob1 · 03-29-2021, 02:06 PM

One more thing...
You will block the rear passenger brake light/turn signal, so you’ll need to attach a light package onto the spare tire to be street legal.

Another NO vote.

**16ACE27** · 03-29-2021, 02:08 PM

OK, you do you. Ignore the advice given and the many threads of this forum regarding ladder repair, ladder attachment repair, leaks from the ladder attachment points, etc,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJxCdh1Ps48

taylorbob1 · 03-29-2021, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidEM

I looked underneath my Axis and did note the large unused area in front of the bumper which looks ideal to carry the spare. I see you attached a couple of unistruts to support the tire. What keeps the tire from sliding out? It looks like it is just laying on the unistruts.

David

It’s snug
There’s just 30# of air in there now
To fit in the cavity, the tire needs to be nearly flat
Then once in the location with struts attached I add air to make it tight
Believe me, it does not move

To remove I will need to reduce air pressure so that it can flex enough.
I carry an air compressor

Again, with any luck it will never be removed.

DavidEM · 03-29-2021, 02:37 PM

OK, I got it. Pumping up the tire inflates it enough to wedge in place. That sounds like a good solution and even though i think my ladder solution will work (the tire will be above the tail light) I will try the underneath mounting as you suggest.

David

paulwadley · 03-29-2021, 03:33 PM

You are much better off with the under carriage mounting idea than the ladder. Good luck

Paul

lwmcguire · 03-29-2021, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidEM

I am not yet convinced I can't successfully strap my spare tire to the ladder on my new Axis. The ladder has a support at the bottom and at the top as well as two in the middle. Each support is two 1" tubes flanged to the back or top of the coach. This is about as sturdy a ladder as I have seen. Check out the attached pic.

David

The ladder is mounted by short screws sandwiched in-between the exterior and interior

destined to fail and drop off going down the road

rbykid · 03-29-2021, 07:48 PM

One more vote not to use the ladder to mount a spare. It will fail not if but when.

mcr1010 · 03-29-2021, 07:58 PM

I'll 2nd the no ladder mtg. I view the ladder as emerg. use only.

Mr Sunshine · 04-01-2021, 01:23 AM

Mount a spare on the ladder, no way! You'll be a star in someone's RV fail video.

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