Trailer spare tire mount

[Porcupine]

I want to install a spare tire rack under my box/utility trailer.

I have limited space to anchor it. Using a spot at the rear but under the chassis I want to install one of those boat winches used on boat trailers to drag the boat up the trailer from the water on the ramp.

I figured if I could install the winch in the front of the trailer (on the side) and a series of pulleys to the rear of the trailer and then install a plate or anchor system to hold the spare tire in place as it's raised from the ground.

Then for added security I could install 2 or 3 carriage bolts through the floor of the trailer, through the holes in the rim and self-locking wing nuts to finish the job.

I'm thinking the ratchet assembly and tensil strength of the cable would be more than adequate for the task at hand.



BTW I can't mount the spare on the front since there's a mounted plastic tool box there already and since we have tie-down anchors all around the box we can't mount it on the side of the trailer. These are full size 16", 6 bolt trailer rims/tires, so "size matters"

This install is the best idea that I thought would work. If anyone else has something better that worked for them, I'd like to hear it.

[thcardoc]

How about a swing arm that would allow the tire on the arm to rotate out from under the trailer, then you can simply lift it off of the arm once it's clear?

When storing, the assembly turns under the trailer, and a single bolt could go through the arm, the wheel, and then the floor for extra security to hold everything in place. You could use a clevis pin through the vertical portion of the arm for holding the assembly under the trailer and not allow it to pivot out from underneath when moving.

This could all be done with a few pieces of 2" threaded black pipe, an elbow, a small piece of 2 1/2" pipe for the anchor and pivot point, a union or a cap for the 2" pipe which would serve to hold the wheel and carrier assembly vertically.

Any other little additions like welding a wheel nut onto the top of the cap so you could use your wheel wrench to turn the assembly would simply be a matter of choice. Whether you need one anchor/pivot or maybe two with the second one a little higher up the side of the trailer would also be a consideration depending on how strong the frame is and how well you weld.

[vetteonr]

Just keep it in the trailer. It is a TRAILER!

Another thought. Go to a boneyard (or buy new) and get a tire carrier that would normally be on the back of a jeep, bronco, exploder, trail blazer, or whatever. You could mount it on the side of the trailer. A lot easier access too.

[olddog]

Remember the 50's trucks that had the spare tire sitting on the side. I remember a dip in the running board for them to sit in.

How about making a mount to bolt the tire to the side of the trailer, in front of a wheel, on the outside of the box to not take up cargo space. An old axle cut off with at least three studs to bolt to. May need to weld a plate to the axle to bolt it to the trailer. Or you can fabricate from scratch.

Just a thought.

If you do mount it underneath, go with the swing arm idea. Crawling under to take a tire off sucks big time. Especially when it rained on a 95 deg day. That's the day you will need it.

[Daniel Wood]

Porcupine, I've been trying to post this all day. See if this helps!

Just click here Here's two numbers, look at the first one, but build it strong like the second one. DL22145 and FSTC1000301 there's a lot of others that might interest you.







If so, build something like this that's very strong. I don't know what size frame your trailer is built out of.


Something like this. And don't make fun of my Photoshop!



I just couldn't help myself.

[danny]

hey that looks like his aerobucket wheel

[Daniel Wood]

It is.

[Porcupine]

Well, it seems everyone had terrific input especially Mr Wood. I like that side mount aspect, either that fixed mount or everyone else's swing arm off the Jeep etc.
Actually my son and I considered most of those and we did a dry run of all of those concepts.
Truth is we used to have it mounted right on the front where the tool box is like a tailgate mount... it was too tall, meaning the tire height went above the top of the box and you see where those anchor tie-downs are.
Presently, you'll see that cargo net in place but often times we'll have a tarp and we'll soon be cutting a custom tonneau cover for it
Can't do it on the inside, takes up too much space when loading or unloading other stuff. The tail gate is not an option because that's a lift up tailgate in slots and would be too dang heavy.. Yea, I know it's only a trailer but we wanted this for balance and we figured :"under" and "out of the way" would be best.

I'm still not 100% but I think I might go my original route of boat winch at front for mounting under rear.

The one real down side to anything on the front, is weight. While Daniels design show promise the added weight on the front makes that trailer extremely heavy for lifting (even when EMPTY) onto the ball. Yes you do see that wheeled-jack-stand but those things don't "travel" as easily as you think when guiding to the ball. My son can lift that tongue but I can't any more (yup it's age that caught up).

When the trailer-frame was built by a tractor trailer mechanic that builds those trailers for a living he was insistant on axle location for tow-ability, hence my front end is heavy even when empty.
Cardoc's was a good secondary but I am really tight for space even underneath. I think I'll try my concept and if all else fails I'll try some of the others. BTW I had considered the extension of the tongue about 1 to 1 1/2 ft. But simple physics says more weight.

[vetteonr]

Just bolt a couple u-shaped brackets under it and slide the tire in. This way you could mount it in the back to offset the tongue weight.

[Porcupine]

Offsetting the tongue weight is number one concern. Mounting it, I'll play here and there.
After I'm done I'll take a few pics and post them.

[Daniel Wood]

Here's a picture (and I don't know how long they'll keep it posted) but my friend Zabe sold Stratos boats at the body shop where I worked. This is how the spare tire was mounted on the trailer. But I don't believe you have enough room to offset the weight.

[Daniel Wood]

Well, you've been thinking and working on this for 12 hours.

What are you waiting for, Christmas?

[carsandcycles]

Jerry, is this trailer going to be in rough road conditions (where a spare is probably the best/safest bet) or just a highway hauler (that in real world conditions is only/maybe going to see a puncture); if the later, I would get a package of plugs (the sticky-string kind) and a portable compressor. Kindly disregard, if its a spare (you really want/need).

[Daniel Wood]

C&C, that's not a bad idea even if he gets a spare. Would save a lot of work if it's just a small nail or screw.

[danny]

those back up cams are really nice for hooking trailers up