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Topic: Another Tire Issue - Another Rant from Doug (Read 7 times) previous topic - next topic
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Another Tire Issue - Another Rant from Doug
Yahoo Message Number: 141661
Recently I replaced the 9-year old spare tire (Ford OEM Michelin LT225-75R16 LTX MS) with an "identical" new tire. After mounting the tire, Discount Tire put it back into the right rear upper compartment.  They did not push it forward to its normal position in the front of the compartment as I had the area of stuff; a result of several recent tire problems.
 Today I decided to rearrage the compartment and push the spare tire forward.  Before doing this, I wanted to get the valve stem to the outside so that I could attach my "long extender" that makes checking the pressure easy.
 Based on prior experience I knew that the easiest way to rotate the tire is to get the tire about half way out of the compartment.  When I tried to slide it out of the compartment, it got stuck.  After a lot of pulling, pushing, and certain well chosen words I determined that this new tire has a slightly larger cross section than the original spare.  I finally managed to get it rotated anc back into the compartment.  I abandoned plans to put the tire back into the front of the comparment, at the moment.
 The height of the compartment door opening is approximately 9.5 inches.  The original spare tire and rim had a height of approximately 9.25 inches and it would come out of the compartment with minimum trouble.  The new tire and rim appear to have a height that is almost the height of the compartment door opening.  It really is reluctant to come out of the compartment.  It must be held "dead level" to make it out.
 The tire air pressure was about 70 psi.  The old spare was typically inflated to 80 psi.  I considered increasing the tire pressure to see if it would reduce the tire cross section.  This would happen if the tire were supporting vehicle weight, but is isn't doing this.
 After getting the tire back into the compartment I inspected the "frame lips," seals, etc of the compartment door.  I found that the seal had been damaged in a couple of places and the paint on the lower "lip" was mainly missing.  From all appearances Discount Tire had to do a "push and cuss" operation to get the tire into the compartment.
 I guess that it is not unusual for a tire manufacturer to have minor dimensional changes in tires over the years as they change manufacturing methods, etc.  IMHO Lazy Daze's choice of putting the spare tire into this rear compartment with minimum door opening clearance was an absolutely stupid move.  If they could increase the door opening height to 10-inches it might make it reasonable, but still difficult to use.  I don't know how many LD models store the spare tire in this manner.  I do know that I will never buy another LD that uses this storage method.
 You hope that you never have to use the spare tire and get it out of its storage location.  However, when you must use the spare it ought to be a simple task and not add frustration to an already stressful situation; even if the tire change is being done by a road service company. When and if LD people start using their own product they may find out that what looks good on paper and works in the factory, is a PITA in the real world.
 Sorry, didn't mean this as a condemnation of LD. I still like my 2005 MB, although I am considering replacing it due to accumulated miles.  However, the issue does indicate a lack of "customer oriented engineering design"  on LD's part.

Doug
Re: Another Tire Issue - Another Rant from Doug
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 141665
"The new tire and rim appear to have a height that is almost the height of the compartment door opening. It really is reluctant to come out of the compartment. It must be held "dead level" to make it out."

Doug
 Many times, when running wires for an accessory, I have had to remove a spare located in the storage compartment. They never come out easily, gosh I hate that, it is so easy to strain your back just trying to get it to move.
In your case, if you carry a good size air compressor, try deflating the spare tire and see if that reduces the cross section.

Makes me happy to have the spare mounted on the rear of the MH.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Another Tire Issue - Another Rant from Doug
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 141667
That's not a rant, Doug, it's the plain truth! This is a bad design, and I agree with everything you say about it. At the very least, Lazy Daze should increase that compartment door height to 10". Personally, I think the spare should go back into the rear housing where it belongs, even if that means the rear housing has to be enlarged by a few inches.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
 
Re: Another Tire Issue - Another Rant from Doug
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 141676
Quote
Today I decided to rearrage the compartment and push the spare tire >forward. ...  Based on prior experience I knew that the easiest way >to rotate the tire is to get the tire about half way out of the >compartment.  When I tried to slide it out of the compartment, it >got stuck.  After a lot of pulling, pushing, and certain well chosen words .

Sorry, didn't mean this as a condemnation of LD. I still like my 2005 MB, although I am considering replacing it due to accumulated miles.  However, the issue does indicate a lack of "customer oriented engineering design"  on LD's part.
Doug
Hi Doug
 Sorry to read about your spare tire issue. I can and have felt the same pain with our spare tire.
 Last time I tried to get my spare out, the awning crank and center support got stuck with the tire. I uttered every foul word I knew. And bloodied my arm and hand in the process. I was starting to think I would have to remove the rear sofa and attack the problem from above; it isn't as complicated as it may seem.
 I try to put the spare tire on a large garbage bag so it slides a bit easier. And after my last agonizing attempt and reading your "rant", I think it may be a good idea to attach a couple ropes to the hand holes of the wheel to use as handles as I rotate the tire to towards the opening.
 At home (thankfully the only place I've removed the spare) I place a Workmate workbench next to the compartment door that is just about the same height as the compartment. It seems to work for me.

Steve K. (that spare tire gets heavier every year!)
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath