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DEO · 06-01-2004, 08:09 AM

I was suprised when I looked under my trailer and noticed that a spare is not standard equipment. In any case I now need to purchase a spare tire and rim. I found the tire at The tire rack but my question is do I have to buy a special rim?

overlander64 · 06-01-2004, 08:58 AM

Greetings DEO!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEO

I was suprised when I looked under my trailer and noticed that a spare is not standard equipment. In any case I now need to purchase a spare tire and rim. I found the tire at The tire rack but my question is do I have to buy a special rim?

Yes, there are special considerations when purchasing a rim for your Airstream's spare tire. The main one is weight carrying capacity. Generally, the advice is to look for a weight carrying rating of at least 2,600 pounds. My tire dealer was able to order rims of the proper size, weight rating, and designated for trailer use when he ordered my Marathon ST tires several years ago (1995). At that time, the rims were $49.00 each. Inland RV is one of the sources for the correct wheel on the Internet.

Good luck with your search!

Kevin

Penguin · 06-01-2004, 09:07 AM

While we're on the spare tire topic, where do folks store theirs? The best place I can think of is the bed of the truck we are towing with. We have a 24-foot Trade Wind so there's not too much in the way of "spare" (

) room.

Connie

overlander64 · 06-01-2004, 09:19 AM

Greetings Connie!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penguin

While we're on the spare tire topic, where do folks store theirs? The best place I can think of is the bed of the truck we are towing with. We have a 24-foot Trade Wind so there's not too much in the way of "spare" (

) room.

Connie

I believe that the original mounting spot for the spare tire on your '66 may have been the same as that used on the '64 Overlanders (when the original owner ordered the spare wheel/tire and mount). On the '64 the original mount was on the "A"-frame hitch behind the LP tanks against the front wall. Since I changed to 40 pound LP tanks, it has limited space to the extent that I am not planning on trying to use that location on the Overlander. My Airstream dealer has advised that it would be possible to modify the current under-coach mount to the Vintage coaches - - it mounts under the coach behind the hitch in a recessed compartment (requires modifying the bellyskin to create and seal opening).

On my Minuet with its smaller 20 pound LP tanks, I am planning to have a local welder build a spare tire/wheel carrier to mount behind the LP tanks which was the factory location for the spare tire/wheel on the Minuet 6.0 Metre according to my information.

The only thing that I know that I would suggest avoiding is the temptation to use a rear bumper mount for the spare tire/wheel. This was a dealer added accessory on my Overlander shortly after its purchase by the original owners. It was a big contributor to a rear separation issue that was an expensive repair a few years ago.

Good luck with finding a good spot for your spare tire/wheel!

Kevin

Penguin · 06-01-2004, 09:28 AM

I knew the rear bumper is prohibited, seen that on the posts. So I will examine the tongue closely and see if it can ride there. Currently we don't even have a spare, but it doesn't matter because we aren't going anywhere til we get our axles. But after that happens and we are road-worthy, we are going to be very interested in a spare. I guess I thought the tongue was also prohibited. Good news for me! I didn't want it wrapped up in a tarp in the living room!

Connie

Chuck · 06-01-2004, 10:47 AM

this is how they did it in the '70's. this pic is looking aft at the underside of the trailer from the front streetside corner. just outside the pic to the left, there is a handle that bends upward, and connects to a bracket on the underside of the a-frame. you can see the skin has been removed from this section to create a cavity in which a tire can fit.