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06-23-2016, 11:33 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2014 23' International
Hurst
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,495
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Spare in the truck bed or under the Airstream?
After changing the 14" wheels & tires on our 23D to fifteen inchers, I'm left with a spare tire that won't fit back into its under-trailer cradle unless the cradle is modified. I'm wondering about taking the easy way out...
Why not just carry the spare in the covered truck bed? We don't carry much back there anyway, so it would fit easily. So, what difference would it make to weight distribution and "payload" and all that stuff if the tire is in the truck or under he trailer? Beats me.
Rob
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06-23-2016, 11:48 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1977 23' Safari
Niagara on the Lake
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 984
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we carry the spare in the truck bed, our trailer didn't come with a spare tire mount. the weight of the spare is not significant to our trailer or truck and we have the space. Biggest drawback is having to remember to put the spare in the truck and not leave it at home when we hit the road.
__________________
1977 Safari Land Yacht
2005 Toyota Tundra SR5
2022 Toyota 4Runner SR5
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06-23-2016, 11:52 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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Sure, just put it far forward as possible to help with weight distribution. If the new Airstream tires are top quality, you could leave the spare at home for many travels. Not so many years ago, a spare tire was an Airstream option. And now we have more reliable tires.
Should you ever get a flat, there is a procedure in your Airstream Owners Manual to remove one tire (the flat one) and proceed at reduced speed and limited distance on the remaining three tires (tandem axle Airstream) to get home, or fixed or replaced.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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06-23-2016, 05:13 PM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
2016 23' Flying Cloud
Dallas
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 112
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I have the truck spare, normally mounted under the truck, and trailer spare in the bed of the truck. Also did that for my granddaughter and her 20 footer. Makes it so much easier to get them out rather than have to remove them from the carrier. Especially if you are hooked up to TT. Would not work for someone that carries a lot of stuff in the bed but I like it that way.
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Kittyfeet-
I hope this day to have the opportunity to help someone in need.
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06-23-2016, 06:22 PM
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#5
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Do you have a portable air compressor in your AS tool kit?
Yes....let some air out.
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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06-24-2016, 09:08 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1987 32' Excella
Nepean
, Ontario
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,414
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When I changed my 15" wheels (with GYM tires) for 16" wheels (with Michelin LTX tires), JC made the small modification to enlarge the under-AS spare carrier. JC said it was a minor fix. On that basis, I would suggest the mod.
__________________
VE3JDZ
AIR 12148
1987 Excella 32-foot
1999 Dodge Ram 2500HD Diesel
WBCCI 8080
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06-24-2016, 03:00 PM
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#7
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New Member
Currently Looking...
Greeneville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 4
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Spare in truck bed or under the Airstream
Why not just use a 14 inch tire for a spare ?
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06-24-2016, 03:05 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
1990 29' Excella
Travelers Rest
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 311
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I've travelled in Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas, Nevada etc and had two trailer flats at once. I carry one AS spare under the AS and the second spare in the pickup bed mounted upright to one forward sidewall. May be overkill but works for me. I have all tires including spares with tire monitors so I know the temp and PSI. More peace of mind.
__________________
WBCCI 2456 Georgia Unit 32
1990 Excella 29' Centramatics
2016 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 2500 HD 4x4
6.6L Duramax + Allison, 3.73 axles
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06-24-2016, 04:56 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisPBacon
Why not just use a 14 inch tire for a spare ?
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When we changed from 15" GYM to 16" Michelins we kept the original 15" spare, for the very unlikely event we'll ever need it. No TPMS, that money went to a highly reliable tire upgrade for peace of mind.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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06-24-2016, 05:10 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,223
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We built a custom tire carrier for the 23D to carry the 15" Michelin spare. That spare tire and wheel weight is part of our 968 pound tongue weight fully loaded for camping.
It was a minor bend the arms out on the tire carrier in the 25FB when The Michelins were put on.. The challenge was they were fatter in cross section so getting the lock in place was a challenge. The Classic was a similar situation.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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06-24-2016, 06:15 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2005 30' Classic
Burlington
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,743
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I moved up to 16" wheels to use LT tires on our trailer. The 16" would not fit in the spare tire carrier under the front of the trailer.
I contemplated either bending or cutting/welding the tire carrier to suit, but then decided that I would rather not leave the shiny new aluminum wheel under the trailer to be covered in dirt and road salt anyway, so I just decided to carry it in the bed of the truck.
We have a full cap on the truck and lost of space so it works fine - been doing it three or four years now. Never had to use it yet!
Brian.
__________________
Brian & Connie Mitchell
2005 Classic 30'
Hensley Arrow / Centramatics
2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD,4x4,Crew Cab, Diesel, Leer cap.
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06-24-2016, 09:19 PM
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#12
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Silver Star
1970 23' Safari
Victoria
, British Columbia
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 352
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My AS had the tire on the rear bumper which I didn't like so I moved it into the Tundra...
I built a "Big Drawer" in the back of my truck and planned a spot upfront totally out of the way in a lower storage area... I need to move a few things but its a great spot for it..... hopefully I never need it.
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06-24-2016, 09:37 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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We've been towing our Airstreams all over the country for seven years, never used the spare tire. It's our nature in 50 years of travel and camping to travel simple and light. I'm thinking of leaving it behind from now on and rely on the Owners Manual three wheel method if we should ever have a flat.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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06-24-2016, 10:07 PM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
1977 Argosy 28
Euless
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 338
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RFP
After changing the 14" wheels & tires on our 23D to fifteen inchers, I'm left with a spare tire that won't fit back into its under-trailer cradle unless the cradle is modified. I'm wondering about taking the easy way out...
Why not just carry the spare in the covered truck bed? We don't carry much back there anyway, so it would fit easily. So, what difference would it make to weight distribution and "payload" and all that stuff if the tire is in the truck or under he trailer? Beats me.
Rob
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Hey Rob, I'm just down the road in Euless.
My trailer is vintage and was light in the tongue compared to the trailer weight (less than 10%) so I moved the propane tanks forward a bit and mounted the spare behind them on the tongue. Before that, it was in the truck bed.
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06-24-2016, 10:12 PM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 223
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Wish I had your towing experience but will never share your optimism. One of my last trips I ended up with two of five tires blown and lucky to have found the last tire within miles of anywhere at a Wal-Mart on Sunday evening with another 4 hours to home. Three tire towing is not an option for any length of time. I now travel with two spares towing a dual axle trailer. I sure wouldn't want to be without a spare when needed.
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