Re: spare tire cover on back Reply #25 – January 12, 2019, 05:41:33 pm I've toyed with the idea of putting the spare up front. I keep coming up with the weight of the rack plus the extra bracing needed. I am usually uncomfortably close to the 14.5 K weight, even when carrying little water. My concerns are what I'd have to jettison for the hardware and what carp I'd find to fill the spare space.
Re: spare tire cover on back Reply #26 – January 12, 2019, 06:09:20 pm Quote from: joel wiley - January 12, 2019, 05:41:33 pmI've toyed with the idea of putting the spare up front. I keep coming up with the weight of the rack plus the extra bracing needed. I am usually uncomfortably close to the 14.5 K weight, even when carrying little water. My concerns are what I'd have to jettison for the hardware and what carp I'd find to fill the spare space. Going to a front bumper mounted spared will add 50-60-lbs of weight (the front hitch and tire carrier), plus the weight of whatever you add to the now empty tire storage area. Might not be the hot ticket if weight is a concern.Larry
Re: spare tire cover on back Reply #27 – January 12, 2019, 06:46:13 pm Fill that spare tire with helium, Joel, and that should offset the weight. In fact, fill all the tires with it and you'll get better gas mileage! 3 Likes
Re: spare tire cover on back Reply #28 – January 12, 2019, 06:55:56 pm If a front-mounted spare would put you over your GVWR, of course that's not a good thing. But for those who are still within their rigs' rated weights, it's worth noting that weight added to the front axle is less likely to be a problem than if it were added to the rear axle.
Re: spare tire cover on back Reply #29 – January 12, 2019, 08:41:27 pm I did as Andy, and after 1000¡s of miles, no problems.
Re: spare tire cover on back Reply #30 – January 12, 2019, 09:38:17 pm Quote from: HiLola - January 12, 2019, 06:46:13 pmFill that spare tire with helium, Joel, and that should offset the weight. In fact, fill all the tires with it and you'll get better gas mileage! Chortle...chortle...guffaw