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1953 Flying · 04-15-2008, 04:55 PM

Hi all,

After searching for a while I have come up with nothing. This past weekend I discovered that I need to add more tongue weight to my trailer. Here is what I have

Trailer weight dry- 2940 Lbs
Tongue weight - 150 Lbs

My TV Dodge Durango, 4.7, 4 x 4

TV weight with 1/2 tank gas and me is 5200 Lbs

As far as I know the tongue weight should be about 10 to 15 percent of the trailer weight.

So here is my question. To add more weight to the tongue I wanted to add my spare tire to the undercarrige of the tongue. I can't seem to find one. Has any one else done this or have any ideas where to by it?

Thanks for the help again,

OregonArgy · 04-15-2008, 04:58 PM

I've heard of people installing it vertically between the LP tanks and the body of the trailer.

overlander63 · 04-15-2008, 05:01 PM

I've seen one on a mid 60's Safari. You can put twin 30# LP tanks up front as well, and mount your battery (if you have one) under the front couch. Every little bit helps. The above will add about 60 pounds to the tongue.
Another option is to emulate Airstream when they added weight inside the tongue to increase tongue weight to some of their trailers.

1953 Flying · 04-15-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote OregonArg-I've heard of people installing it vertically between the LP tanks and the body of the trailer.

I've seen this also, if the bracket get loose it rubs on the aluminum and make a mark. Plus it hides the shine in the front.

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

I've seen one on a mid 60's Safari. You can put twin 30# LP tanks up front as well, and mount your battery (if you have one) under the front couch. Every little bit helps. The above will add about 60 pounds to the tongue.
Another option is to emulate Airstream when they added weight inside the tongue to increase tongue weight to some of their trailers.

I have now 2- 5# propane tanks and a 25 gallon water tank up front. Which helps a lot. I was just trying to figure out another spot to put my spare instead of the inside of my TV since I can add more weight to the tongue.

wkerfoot · 04-15-2008, 05:15 PM

Where is your battery, can you move it forward? We are putting a spare tire mount under the front of our Liner, just like Airstream has. Do you have enough room between the frame rails for a spare tire?

Bill

1953 Flying · 04-15-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Where is your battery, can you move it forward? We are putting a spare tire mount under the front of our Liner, just like Airstream has. Do you have enough room between the frame rails for a spare tire?

Bill

My batteries are located in the rear trunk. So can't not move those. I do have enough room under the front tongue area.

CJ of Okla · 04-16-2008, 05:38 AM

Check this one out.

1972 27

Hope the web sight come through. Someone on the forum "Sneakinup" posted this 7-4-2005.

1953 Flying · 04-16-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ of Okla

Check this one out.

1972 27

Hope the web sight come through. Someone on the forum "Sneakinup" posted this 7-4-2005.

Thanks CJ,

Thats exactly what I'm looking for. I guess I can try to fabricate one. Wish me luck.

geezernbabe · 04-16-2008, 05:21 PM

Hi Robert nice to meet you at Cassini. I do not have the pics handy but I got one of the crank up tire winches off of a mimi van I think it was. It was real easy to mount and cranks the tire right up to the bottom of the sub floor. If you would like to come up and look at it PM me and we can work it out were only 1/2 hr away. Dave & Penny

urbanfood · 04-16-2008, 05:49 PM

hi robert,

i believe you're looking for this.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/486235-post63.html

that's my '56 flying cloud. they are available from airstream i believe (same that they put on the new ones i've been told).

i had greg at inland rv put one on when he was doing the axle work.

Tarheel · 04-16-2008, 06:52 PM

my 2001 has it mounted in the front under the body between the frames. A nice simple leaver pulls it up and a collar lockes it in place. No tools needed! A clever, simple device. It should be readily available at Airstream, and cheaper than fabrication in the long run.

1953 Flying · 04-16-2008, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanfood

hi robert,

i believe you're looking for this.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/486235-post63.html

that's my '56 flying cloud. they are available from airstream i believe (same that they put on the new ones i've been told).

i had greg at inland rv put one on when he was doing the axle work.

David your progress on your FC is awsome. Regarding the tire holder does it go up into the underbelly or is it completely under the aluminum on the outside? I have already redid my underbelly and would hate to cut a hole to make that bracket fit.

I really don't want to fabricate one as of my welding skills are not so hot.

urbanfood · 04-16-2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1953 Flying

David your progress on your FC is awsome. Regarding the tire holder does it go up into the underbelly or is it completely under the aluminum on the outside? I have already redid my underbelly and would hate to cut a hole to make that bracket fit.

the tire holder goes up into the underbelly and allows the tire to site inside the triangle 4" frame and just under the subfloor. it hangs down below the frame a few inches. so no i will not have a bellypan in that area. you would have to cut your belly pan to install it but i think it'd be worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1953 Flying

I really don't want to fabricate one as of my welding skills are not so hot.

i agree about buying versus making it. the cost was less than $200 and it was once less thing i hade to make so i was happy to purchase it.

FreshAir · 04-17-2008, 01:05 AM

Robert, did you see my spare location when we were at Casini? It's up under the propane tanks..half under the front of the coach. I can take a picture and post it for you. It cost me almost nothing....but then I have a lot of junk to create from.
Neil.

geezernbabe · 04-17-2008, 08:57 AM

I found the pics. The tire goes up inside of the frame rails otherwise it will hang down to low I think . The tire winch was $15.00 at pick and pull. It can be bolted in but I was welding alot in the trailer at the time so it was easy at the time. Dave

geezernbabe · 04-17-2008, 09:07 AM

Not sure what I did it has been a while since I put any Pics on Hope this is better

1953 Flying · 04-17-2008, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshAir

Robert, did you see my spare location when we were at Casini? It's up under the propane tanks..half under the front of the coach. I can take a picture and post it for you. It cost me almost nothing....but then I have a lot of junk to create from.
Neil.

Neil,
I didn't see your spare tire location. A pic would be great. Well shoot. I really didn't want to cut a hole in the belly pan. I just might have to keep looking or really think outside of the aluminum on this one.

1953 Flying · 04-17-2008, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geezernbabe

Not sure what I did it has been a while since I put any Pics on Hope this is better

Great pics Dave. How do you crank it down once the new floor goes in? Does the tire hang below the belly pan or is it half and half?

geezernbabe · 04-17-2008, 09:30 AM

The pic of the front of the trailer shows a 1/2 drive ratchet that goes in an old socket that I welded to the factory shaft that comes with the winch. The ratchet comes out when not in use. I hope that is most of the time. I do not have the pan on yet but I think it is going to hang down about 2" and I am going to make a pan to go over the tire when I do the whole pan. Like I said you are welcome to take a look if you want the floor is down now but the pan is not so it is easy to see. Dave

FreshAir · 04-17-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1953 Flying

Neil,
I didn't see your spare tire location. A pic would be great. Well shoot. I really didn't want to cut a hole in the belly pan. I just might have to keep looking or really think outside of the aluminum on this one.

Ok, Robert I just in from taking, hopefully, enough pictures of my s-tire mount. As you know a convertible TV leaves little room to carry an additional tire and in spite of those who question the need for a s-tire with tandem axles I would feel more secure having the spare with me. Also during my recovery process from hip(s) replacement crawling around under to wrestle a spare was nearly impossible for me. I was tempted to have the spare mounted behind the propane tanks but like you the aluminum on the front of the coach is the most pristine I have and covering it with a spare was not really an option. Dave's suggestion is attractive to me so maybe when my hips are 'secured' in time I will reconsider that route.
So my solution intended to be temporary but do you know what?....it's working so moving the spare has dropped way down on my priority list. I thought the location may be unappealing to the eye but there is so much other 'stuff' going on the tonque that I and apparently others hardly notice it. In fact no one has asked me about it.
My mounting is basic. Draw the tire up against the A of the tonque and as far back as possible for it not to interfere with the WDH. I placed a C- channel across the tonque next to the front of the coach, drilled a hole for an all-thread rod and placed a bracket on the the bottom end of the all-thread to support the wheel. I used a perhaps a longer than necessary all-thread so that I can lower/raise the tire to the ground. You will note that I placed another 2 C-channels to protect the gas line. It is my intention to re-route the gas line then the tire can be 2" closer to the bottom of the coach frame. Also I am fortunate that I have those rare stabilizers that also conveniently help secure the tire. However I do travel with a safety chain to 'catch' the tire should the all-thread fail. That is probably THE weak link in this which I will change down my road of life. Perhaps it gives you an idea. THERE...it took longer to present this than it took to create the tire mount!
Neil