According to the many photos I looked at on this forum I see that many trucks do not have their spare tire mounted on the front and I was wondering if it is a big problem to change a tire with the camper on.
On my truck I would have to jack up the camper and drive forward enough away to access the spare tire which is located under the backside of the truck. I really don't want to haul the spare on the front. Is it ok to leave it where it is. thanks
how often do you need to get to your spare? seems to me that I would just leave it where it is and in an emergency you certainly could lift the RV and move the truck a few feet forward even on a flat? maybe this is a good reason to have a dual rear wheel PU however?
bumpy
The spare tire is a necessary albatross.
The couple flats we've had with the Dodge/Lance combo have not been a problem getting the spare down from its nest. However, I'm glad I've not had a flat with the rear hitch rack, as I'd have to remove the rack and contents completely to get to the crank hole in the bumper.
The reason you don't see many front mounted spare tires in the lower 48 is heat. The radiator has to work overtime if there is a blocked air flow through the fins. I see more front mounts on TC's from the northern tier of states, Canada, and, yes, AK, all cooler climes.
The rear/under mounting location is not a good one. The front bumper mount has its woes too. The best mounting location i've seen is on Euro off-road campers based on a Unimog chassis. It's right on the back wall. Some even between the cab and camper. Easy to get to. Out of the way.
Living in AK, you could probably get away with a front mount.
regards, as always, jefe
'01.5 Dodge 3/4T, CTD, HO, Qcab, SB, 4x4, 6spd, D60, D80+Pwr Loc,
camper&tow pkg,Titan V, 285/75R-16 frnt, 33/14.5 Nitto super singles rr,
Rancho 9K's, Warn M15K winch. tows Jeep CJ8 rock crawler on 14' trailer
'98 Lance Squire Lite 165s, 8' 6" X Cab
Yes, it is a pain for me. I could not do it at all with the camper mounted if I had not made a tool to get in and lower the spare. Both times I have had to get the spare down I was in sandy soil and would not have liked trying to raise the camper.
This often discussed topic is BRAND specific. If you have a FORD, as the topic starter does, and any overhang on your TC, then no tool in existence will lower your tire with the camper on. Several of us have made a mod on our Fords to crank down from the passenger side wheel well.
Here is my thread where I ask about the mod on a SRW and (post #8) show the results of my mod for my DRW.
Hope this helps.
Rick
2004 F-350 4WD Crew Cab Dually w/ Airlift air bags, Luverne brush guard, side steps and splash guards.
2007 LanceMax 1181 loaded, wider aftermarket custom mattress (driver's side locker omitted).
"Leave the trail a little better than you found it."
Offline
