Spare under trailer

Submitted: Saturday, Oct 02, 2004 at 14:20

ThreadID: 16731 Views:12570 Replies:11 FollowUps:0

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Member - Camper (SA)

Currently my camper trailer spare wheel is on the drawbar which considering the risk of damage from ricocheted rocks is not a great idea.
I've been considering fitting a spare wheel carrier from a 4wd with a wind-up chain to carry the wheel under the trailer ahead of the axle (this to preserve departure angle compared to fitting behind the axle)
This will cut down my general clearance to about 245mm which is below the axle so under tough conditions I might catch the wheel on a rock, but I could always move it to the drawbar when the going gets tough if I have enough energy.
Has anyone used this method?
Any experiences , comments helpful hints before I search out the wrecker's yards for the bit I need?
Thanks
Camper

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Reply By: Member - Andrew R (VIC) - Saturday, Oct 02, 2004 at 14:48

Saturday, Oct 02, 2004 at 14:48

Goodaye Camper,

I am about to do the same thing, so I cannot comment by experience as yet. However, I can help you with where to find the winch. I got a brand new one for nothing recently from and LPG gas installer. They often remove them to fit the gas tanks. I was able to get one to suit the handle I already have for the Landcruiser.

Good luck.

Andrew

AnswerID: 78608

Reply By: Justin - Saturday, Oct 02, 2004 at 17:20

Saturday, Oct 02, 2004 at 17:20

I have just mounted one in that same position under my off-road boat trailer and seems ok. Once I got it installed it looked very low but I have just done 4000kms with it (nothing too rough but the hells gate road was very rocky) and the only thing that hit it was a small roo that went under the cruiser. I think 99% of the time it would be fine and its only when it gets real rough that it may be a drama, and then I suppose you could move it during these times. I have 290mm clearance

AnswerID: 78611

Reply By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Saturday, Oct 02, 2004 at 18:30

Saturday, Oct 02, 2004 at 18:30

Hey guys, there is a fair chance your EO wheelcover will get damaged and it certainly won't be seen there. {;-)

AnswerID: 78616

Reply By: Shaker - Saturday, Oct 02, 2004 at 21:08

Saturday, Oct 02, 2004 at 21:08

I have a Track camper trailer, the spare is angled on the draw bar & I have just completed 8000kms through the outback & no stones hit the back of the vehicle!

AnswerID: 78629

Reply By: Steve L - Saturday, Oct 02, 2004 at 22:04

Saturday, Oct 02, 2004 at 22:04

I'd have thought it would be easier (and cheaper) to leave the spare on the drawbar, and simply fit a stoneguard to the drawbar ahead of the spare. A properly angled stoneguard will not only protect the spare, but will deflect stones downwards so they don't hit the back of the 4by. Also keeps your current clearance.

That's how my camper trailer is setup, ad I've had no problems with clearance, no damage to anything on the trailer and no stones thrown back onto the Cruiser.

AnswerID: 78638

Reply By: Member - Brian (WA) - Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 12:17

Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 12:17

Hi
My spare is on the drawbar, It has heavy duty (i think its shade cloth ) mounted around the spare. Had no trouble yet.Proberly cheaper
cheers

AnswerID: 78660

Reply By: Member - Allan - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 00:53

Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 00:53

Hi Camper,
I have my spare mouted under the CT but behind the axles (water tank is mounted in front of axles). My CT has independent suspension so it already is quite high but I would still like more clearance. The wind up mechanism is from a Landcruiser but it is still mounted to the cross member which lowers the spare by another 50mm. While I have never had any trouble with clearance I will be removing the cross member bracket to reduce weight and lift the spare higher.
I do have a spare winder mechanism if anyone is interested. Mounting the spare behind the axle reduces drawbar weight and leaves more room on the drawbar for other toys (toolboxes, outboards etc).

AnswerID: 78723

Reply By: Bob of KAOS - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 11:42

Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 11:42

I have two spares mounted side by side in front of the trailer box. They have not been a problem in this location. I use a steel framed wire mesh stone deflector which can fold up or down as needed. It sits in front of the spares. Alternative place to consider is on the flat bits fore and aft the mudguards (if this spot isn't taken by jerries or gas cylinders).

AnswerID: 78760

Reply By: duncs - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 22:01

Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 22:01

Like many others mine is mounted on the front gate of the trailer and never been a problem.

One of the other concerns I have with fitting spares under the vehicle or trailer is access.

Sitting in the mud with the spare jamed under the trailer and having a puncture is an unpleasant thought. Winching the spare down in that situation won't work you would have to winch the trailer up. Any body got a skyhook?

Duncs

AnswerID: 78839

Reply By: Member - Camper (SA) - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2004 at 22:21

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2004 at 22:21

Thanks everyone.
One of the most impressive things about this forum is the exchange of ideas and the way questions are dealt with seriously from the experience of oyhers.
I got hold of an ex-landcruiser winch (thanks Andrew) and will give the project a go.
It is easier for me to fabricate a winch system than a stone guard which will work well (I think)
If I get stuck in mud with a flat I guess I will have to wear it. There's always the exhaust jack. I figure that I risk stone damage more often than a flat tyre and I can always shift the spare back to the drawbar if and when I have to.
Thanks again
Camper

AnswerID: 79136