NiasWagn
Western Iowa
Full Member
Joined: 12/30/2007
View Profile
 Offline
|
I'm looking to make some changes this season to my fifth wheel. First, I'm mounting the spare tire under the trailer up front near the landing gear. I think that's going to work just fine.
Secondly, I'm looking to add a box in front of the first axle that will hang down about 12 inches (still above the axle) to store my waste water tote. It would seem this would work fine except maybe some elevated RR crossing or something (which I would never attempt anyway). Is there anything else I should be thinking about. I'm looking for ideas. The other alternative is to add a box to the rear of the trailer but I don't really want to do that. I plan on having a hitch welded on and putting a bicycle rack back there.
My camper does not have a ladder on the back and I've seen some folks strap it to the ladder. That's not an option for me.
Thoughts? Photos?
2012 F-150 EB 3.73
2014 Forest River 25RR
2004 GL1800
2014 Texas Healer with wet nose named Molly
|
BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
Moderator
Joined: 10/16/2000
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Something like this should probably do the trick. A bit pricy but most things that fit RV's are.
Barney
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/Gs4wnkdl.png)
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD
|
NiasWagn
Western Iowa
Full Member
Joined: 12/30/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Thanks for the feedback.
I actually came across that in my travels. It is not big enough for my tote. To be clear on my ask, I'm custom making the box. It will be 1 foot tall to fit my tote. I'm just curious if there aren't any gotcha's with something like this that I'm not thinking about. I will supply a photo or two when I'm done but before I get started I thought I'd seek some feedback from others.
* This post was
edited 03/01/21 10:38am by an administrator/moderator *
|
Sjm9911
New Jersey
Senior Member
Joined: 07/01/2020
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
If just for the tote, maybe just some angle iron to hold it might be easier.
2012 kz spree 220 ks
2020 Silverado 2500
Equalizer ( because i have it)
Formerly a pup owner.
|
dryfly
Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 11/16/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
My previous trailer had the spare up front under the trailer. It was well supported and I was able to add "safety" chains around it and attach to the frame.
My big concern with a front mounted spare is if it ever came loose. The damage as it bounced it's way to exit in the rear could be catastrophic. The retractable hangers used to hold the spare up that are on most trailers are pretty flimsy.
|
|
|
NiasWagn
Western Iowa
Full Member
Joined: 12/30/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
dryfly wrote:My previous trailer had the spare up front under the trailer. It was well supported and I was able to add "safety" chains around it and attach to the frame.
My big concern with a front mounted spare is if it ever came loose. The damage as it bounced it's way to exit in the rear could be catastrophic. The retractable hangers used to hold the spare up that are on most trailers are pretty flimsy.
That's a great piece of advice. Thanks for sharing that. That should be pretty easily accomplished.
|
JRscooby
Indepmo
Senior Member
Joined: 06/10/2019
View Profile
Offline
|
dryfly wrote:My previous trailer had the spare up front under the trailer. It was well supported and I was able to add "safety" chains around it and attach to the frame.
My big concern with a front mounted spare is if it ever came loose. The damage as it bounced it's way to exit in the rear could be catastrophic. The retractable hangers used to hold the spare up that are on most trailers are pretty flimsy.
Let me see if I understand what you are saying. Your spare, mounted on front, comes loose, it will bounce around destroying your property. But if it is mounted on rear, your property is safe. The death and destruction that likely will happen behind you is not important?
OP, on level ground, park the front tire on a string. Pull that string up to the lowest point halfway between that axle and the rear axle of TV. Box above string? Very unlikely to hit it. Could you make a cage to hold tank up between crossmembers? Might need it hinged so could lower outside end to get it in/out.
* This post was
edited 03/04/21 08:08am by JRscooby *
|
shadows4
Kansas City, Mo
Senior Member
Joined: 04/15/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I have seen some pics of the Bal spare tire carrier that also held a waste water tote and the spare tire. Something like that would work well I would think. Good luck.
Bal carrier.
2003 4X4 F350,CC,SB,Lariat,7.3L diesel, 214,000 miles
2015 Coachmen Chapparal 324 TSRK
B&W Patriot 16K hitch.
|
NiasWagn
Western Iowa
Full Member
Joined: 12/30/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
shadows4 wrote:I have seen some pics of the Bal spare tire carrier that also held a waste water tote and the spare tire. Something like that would work well I would think. Good luck.
Bal carrier.
Believe it or not, that was my original plan exactly. This spring I set out to put it into motion and guess what? I can't buy that BAL carrier anywhere. There's a sudden shortage of spare tire carriers now. Instead I paid four times as much for a Lippert model. The good part is it is made for the frame so just bolt it on and go.
|
NiasWagn
Western Iowa
Full Member
Joined: 12/30/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
JRscooby wrote:dryfly wrote:My previous trailer had the spare up front under the trailer. It was well supported and I was able to add "safety" chains around it and attach to the frame.
My big concern with a front mounted spare is if it ever came loose. The damage as it bounced it's way to exit in the rear could be catastrophic. The retractable hangers used to hold the spare up that are on most trailers are pretty flimsy.
OP, on level ground, park the front tire on a string. Pull that string up to the lowest point halfway between that axle and the rear axle of TV. Box above string? Very unlikely to hit it. Could you make a cage to hold tank up between crossmembers? Might need it hinged so could lower outside end to get it in/out.
My trailer has an enclosed underbelly and I don't want to mess with it but that is actually a good idea otherwise. I've got the underside sealed up pretty tight. The first year I parked it over the winter I had mice in there...since then...none. I saw the string trick in the instruction manual Lippert sent me for my spare tire carrier so I'll give that a shot too up front. Thanks for the advice there.
|
|
|
