Spare Tire Relocation on a 2019 - 400

RCB

I would like to move the spare aft to under the berth area but on the outside. Here is a description of the concept. Run a steel tube from one side of the frame to the other. There is a short section of tube that extends and is easily accessible. Weld a couple of bolts to the end of the tube , slide in place and secure with nuts. Fabricate a U shaped bracket welded to the cross ways tube and fasten to the RV . Use U bolts insulated with heavy neoprene washers and backing plates on the inside. It way be necessary to remove and install the black hose storage tube. There is not much weight involved, so I would think the existing plywood structure should be adequate.  Mount the spare tire raising mechanism to the tube and U bracket. Bolt ‘er up, add the spare and Bob’s yer uncle.
I’ve taken a few dimensions this looks feasible.

JCALD

Post some pics when you get it done.

Denny16

This may reduce your rear ground clearance and cause issues going in and out of driveways, gas station drives, etc.  moving the spare is not going to gain much reduction in the tongue weight.  Many of those with TaB 300s that have the rear under spare storage moved their spare to the tongue.  I looked into this, thinking it would save forward weight, but decided it was a non starter idea, not very practical, at least for me.
cheers

jimcenname

For me, a full timer, I keep the spare (cable-locked) in the bed of my truck. I was motivated to do this after the spare scraped the ground when departing a gas station with a steep apron to road transition. FYI, being a full timer I keep lots of RV supplies in the bed of my truck already. The truck bed is covered to reduce risk of theft and provide weather protection. 

Denny16

The truck bed is a good location, thinking of doing the same when going out on unpaved roads.  I am adding the Boondock pitch axle/wheels upgrade,which will,increase ground clearance, so need to see how this goes later this summer.
cheers

Markitect

RCB said:

I would like to move the spare aft to under the berth area but on the outside. Here is a description of the concept. Run a steel tube from one side of the frame to the other. There is a short section of tube that extends and is easily accessible. Weld a couple of bolts to the end of the tube , slide in place and secure with nuts. Fabricate a U shaped bracket welded to the cross ways tube and fasten to the RV . Use U bolts insulated with heavy neoprene washers and backing plates on the inside. It way be necessary to remove and install the black hose storage tube. There is not much weight involved, so I would think the existing plywood structure should be adequate.  Mount the spare tire raising mechanism to the tube and U bracket. Bolt ‘er up, add the spare and Bob’s yer uncle.
I’ve taken a few dimensions this looks feasible.

@RCB  < Have you done this, I would like to do something like this, at least get the spare out from under the tongue.
Let me know, thanks!

m_lewis

I'm looking at just about anything that will move some tongue weight behind the axle. Having looked into this idea, it doesn't seem too feasible, but if you succeed, please tell us about it.

jrhamel

I like the idea but I think as others have stated the clearance could be an issue. I think that I'm going to try in the bed of the pickup as well. I think in order to take weight off the hitch doesn't it have to be forward of the rear axle? 

Markitect

@jrhamel yes it would need to be forward of the truck's axle.
I am having clearance issues getting into my driveway with the spare in it's current location, under the tongue. 
I'm interested in also lightening the tongue weight a bit as well. (I added a bigger box so all the stuff I stow added a bit of weight).
M