So mark this as a stupid question asked but how the heck do you easily return your spare tire to it's spot underneath the trailer? I wanted to check my spare tire pressure and of course the valve stem is pointed up so you have to remove the tire from it's carrier. The carrier just screws into a mount welded on the frame, once you've unscrewed it the tire falls to the ground. To put it back up you need three hands, 2 to lift the tire and one to screw the holder back in. Other than sounding like the beginning of a bad joke how do people do this? I ended up having to use a jack to support one side of the tire and free up a hand but that seems like a lot of effort.
As a data point, I managed it solo somehow.
I think it involved lying on my back, and using a knee and one hand to support the wheel while the free hand started the knob.
I did apply a rubber cushion to what was, on mine, a simple piece of aluminum stock holding the wheel up.
And mounted the wheel valve stem down, of course!
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5339/17934160331_2812283ce3_z.jpg)
Although it wouldnt work on the side of the road. ..i ised a floor jack under one side and lifted the other by hand. That left a hand free to screw it tight
Definitely a crappy way to mount it though
Still vaguely toying with a rear bumper mount, both for convenience and to lighten tongue weight a hair.
Quote from: @fasteddieb" timestamp="1432219850" source="/post/11173/threadStill vaguely toying with a rear bumper mount, both for convenience and to lighten tongue weight a hair.
Did this and it does both well. Saved near 30 lbs on the TW IIRC.
[quote source="/post/11194/thread" timestamp="1432251483" author="@whoofit"]
Quote from: @fasteddieb" timestamp="1432219850" source="/post/11173/threadStill vaguely toying with a rear bumper mount, both for convenience and to lighten tongue weight a hair.
Did this and it does both well. Saved near 30 lbs on the TW IIRC.
[/quote]Details please!
I got a new tire mounted due to the cracks in the spare, tried to mount it stem down but the bolt was not long enough to reach through the rim, that is why I think they mount them stem up. Nearly ruined several arm muscles trying to mount it stem down and gave up and mounted it stem up. Do not even think about trying to do this on the side of the road! But one has to get it off right if one has a flat or blowout! The only way is flat on your back 1/3 the way under the trailer. I did use up all my cuss words for a week and fantasized about having a LL engineer(?) answer my questions about how it is mounted and why and demanding he take it down and replace in 95 degree heat in GA. Even getting it down is a challenge as it can hit you in the head on the way down! I would bet $100 the LL President has never taken the tire down or replaced it; if he did it one time it would not be installed that way going forward!
[quote source="/post/11197/thread" timestamp="1432256013" author="@fasteddieb"][quote timestamp="1432251483" author="@whoofit" source="/post/11194/thread"]Did this and it does both well. Saved near 30 lbs on the TW IIRC.
[/quote]Details please![/quote][p]I bought a Stromberg Carlson TR-1 rigid tire carrier and mounted it to the bumper. Needed to pad the U bolts both fore and aft because I only have a 2" thick bumper for now. Mounted my spare tire to it using one of the supplied lugs and also used the original tire knob that was upfront under the trailer through the hub hole. Wrapped a PVC cover over it and done.[/p][p]
[/p][p]It is secure. It is handy. It gives me a place for a flag pole/antenna mast. If I remember correctly removing the spare from under the front deck shaved 18lbs from the TW. Adding the mount, cover and spare to the bumper shaved another 12 or so.
[/p]
Thank you!
You would not happen to have any photos of your handiwork, would you?
No but I'll snap one tomorrow when we get to VT.
Here's how Livinlite installs the spares! Don emailed me this pic of my trailer during its manufacture. Seeing it again now raises a question --- We have the offroad package with the larger tires but the spare is the smaller size. Was that an error? Do others with the off-road option also have a smaller spare or did they match it for you? (I note in the pic that there doesn't seem to be enough room for a bigger spare).
(http://s4.postimg.org/9sijw9o3x/underside.jpg)
[quote source="/post/11216/thread" timestamp="1432286082" author="@peislander"]Here's how Livinlite installs the spares! Don emailed me this pic of my trailer during its manufacture. Seeing it again now raises a question --- We have the offroad package with the larger tires but the spare is the smaller size. Was that an error? Do others with the off-road option also have a smaller spare or did they match it for you? (I note in the pic that there doesn't seem to be enough room for a bigger spare).
[/quote][font size="3"]No error there. The spare is intended to get you home or to a repair facility. For my money I'd rather not spend extra for an upgraded wheel and tire that spend all their lives hanging under the frame.
[/font]
PEI, thanks for the pic on how LL installs the spare. This explains everything. If you have a flat tire, just unhitch and then put your Camplite over on its side. Voila! Easy access!
[quote source="/post/11227/thread" timestamp="1432316813" author="@leslie"]PEI, thanks for the pic on how LL installs the spare. This explains everything. If you have a flat tire, just unhitch and then put your Camplite over on its side. Voila! Easy access![/quote]lol...we have been doing it wrong i guess
I also have 15in tires and a 12in spare. dealer sold me a full size spare, which I barely was able to mount under the trailer at an angle. I'd love to put back the small spare if it would still meet the need. How would it tow with one full size and a smaller spare. Could you even get it home?
[quote source="/post/11166/thread" timestamp="1432215078" author="@mitch"]So mark this as a stupid question asked but how the heck do you easily return your spare tire to it's spot underneath the trailer? I wanted to check my spare tire pressure and of course the valve stem is pointed up so you have to remove the tire from it's carrier. The carrier just screws into a mount welded on the frame, once you've unscrewed it the tire falls to the ground. To put it back up you. need three hands, 2 to lift the tire and one to screw the holder back in. Other than sounding like the beginning of a bad joke how do people do this? I ended up having to use a jack to support one side of the tire and free up a hand but that seems like a lot of effort.[/quote]I may have commented previously, if so please forgive me. As in the other post regarding how it is installed originally (see picture below) that is the answer I got when I called Camplite. I have addressed the problem two ways is the past, and have now added a third:
1) I purchased some ratchet straps. I place two of them across the tire and ratchet the tire up and install the bolt. It works well. Previously to this approach I tried using the knee approach described below and failed.
2) I had the tire dealer do it. It was even easier than the ratchet straps.
3) I have since purchase a truck. I travel light so I can just trow it in the back of the bed.
I like 2 the best