Hi!
Got a used teardrop last year and love it, but worried about the day I might have to get the spare unslung from underneath, and a flat rehung, at the side of a highway (even if it wasn't raining or dark).
I have seen lots of pictures with the tires mounted this way on various brands, so I assume that weight distribution from a driving safety point of view can't be a huge concern. (Have one on my utility trailer too.) Only concern I have found online about side-mounting behind the fender is about compromising the integrity of the wall, but we will not be hanging it on the wall. My welder/fabricator neighbour helped design a frame that will extend across the entire width of the trailer underneath and bolt to it. It will stick out actually 1" less that the current fender when done. The tire will sit in a steel "pocket" open at the bottom to drain if necessary and the weight will be all on the frame, and the tire held there by a single bolt to flat iron against the wall. Again, no holes in the wall.
Does anyone done something similar and have any experience and advice to share?
Thanks a lot!
Tom
I mounted the spare tire on the toung
Princess Automotive and Amazon sell the attachment
I used a piece of 2x4 to fill the space.
Thanks for the quick reply. Yeah, that was the first advice I got. I checked out Princess Auto. Can't find anything that gives me enough clearance, either in-line or perpendicular to the tongue.
Should have mentioned that the tires are 26" in diameter. And we have the large box too, flush to the front wall. Definitely not room to mount in-line on the opposite side than the hitch jack, and there is no more room to slide the hitch jack forward in the travelling position. There is also not room to mount the spare perpendicular to the tongue between the box and the hitch jack and still have clearance for turning the hitch jack handle. Not to mention that the tire is taller than the lid on the large box, and would be somewhat in the way up against it, which I could live with if I could still turn the jack handle.
My Teardrop had 12 inch tires and was made by Steve at The Teardrop Trailers in New Market.
We have a 5x8 Diamond with the full size front box as well... talked to Steve when we bought it and he was only installing under the frame at the time.... I wanted a little more clearance so I declined the spare and bought my own. I've been looking at ways to mount it as well and like you I had concerns with mounting it on the wall at the back... don't like the idea of the wall being constantly vibrated by a 30 odd lb weight. I've been thinking about having something constructed that supports the weight, secures the wheel and is welded to the frame.... hmmm wish I had a "welder/fabricator neighbour " 😉
This is the mount that I bought from Amazon. I hope you find something similar for your application.
Hi Dale, thank you! yes, I picked up one of those too thinking I could use or modify it somehow to fit.... I still may see if I can find a welder who can use it welded rather than bolted to the frame. If I come up with a good solution I will share it here. Cheers!
That would be perfect for our camper if not for the larger tires.
If you are interested, give me a shout at tdnudds@gmail.com and I'll share a sketch of what we've drawn up to mount a spare on the side.
Would either of you suppose there would be any reason to be concerned about the behaviour of the trailer while towing?
The main concern would be placement of weight behind the axel which could cause fish-tailing and loss of control. That said I do have a 5 lb propane bottle mounted on the wall on one side, low and behind the fender, a Dometic CFX35 fridge in the galley and I've never had any issues at all with loss of control.... the only time I know the trailer is there is when we go over a bump or have to back it up.... it tows beautifully.
Thanks Todd, I will drop you a line this week... Cheers!
OK. Wow. That model fridge is 21 kg. That reassures me, as our trailer behaves the same. Thanks. Also, I figure when the box in front is loaded, moving the tire back would distribute the weight better and take some off the tongue. Anyway, still thinking about it ... :-)
Spare tire mounted underneath at the back. Better weight distribution, more road clearance and absolutely no fishtailing. Left Wakefield Quebec at 4:00 AM March 1 and was in Raleigh NC (1450 KM) same day, but tired. Tampa Florida next afternoon. No sway, all the way.
Hi, what bike rack are you using with the trailer ? Is it mounted to the trailer tongue or the car?