living with a spare tire E350

[wagoneer]

Most vans have an underneath spare tire system unfortunately in my 2001 E350 xl super duty the fuel tank and exhaust system take up that space. Spare tire is in the back taking up much valuable space. SEARCHING FOR AN EXTERIOR MOUNT . Aluminess makes one that is very good but $650 I don't do off road (too much) just medium washboard and can get by with something lesser. Any sugestions ?

 

[cyndi]

Front/hood mount? I was looking at them on Amazon the other day. 80ish bucks

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Cyndi, I really don't recommend hood mounts.  They make it much harder to raise your hood for routine checks of oil, brake fluid, coolant, etc.  They are such a pita that invariably people wind up not checking as often as they should.

Wagoneer, it shouldn't be hard to adapt one of the jeep spare tire carriers over to a back van door.  Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Rugged-Ridge-...3647540&sr=8-1&keywords=jeep+spare+tire+mount

You'll need access to the inner panel of the door.  I wouldn't depend on even large body washers to back it up, I would drill a couple of long pieces of metal to match the mounting holes and spread the weight over quite a few square inches of door panel.

Regards
John

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Heavy 16" tires can take a toll on the rear door hinges.
I have the same issue with our Dodge.

 

[Gary68]

should be able to find a door mount at a u-pull it for cheap and then theres up on the roof

 

[WheelEstate USA]

No way I can get that monster up on the roof. It weighs almost as I do and I'm past being able to do even 1 pull-up.
I would need help mounting it on door/bumper mount but room under the bed would be nice.

 

[SoulRaven]

Money's never been an issue for me, so I just get a front mounted hitch, then a hitch mounted pass through spare tire carrier, that hinges it right down to the ground for you.

You might be able to find one in a wrecking yard, for the DIY types.

 

[Patrick46]

I'm getting a '99 E-250 here in about 2 weeks.

I was going to mount the spare on the back door again, like my last one had, but instead, I'm gonna build my own simple spare carrier that is mounted to the rear bumper, but is hinged so that it rides up where a rear door carrier sits, and will be lockable.

Unlock it, and the whole thing swings down to the ground. The only lifting is putting it back up in it's riding position. 1 person can do it easily. Ultra simple.

oh...and no wear and tear on the rear door hinges! (maybe I should patent it!)

 

[WheelEstate USA]

A swing down might be my choice.
I think Margie and I could lift that together.

 

[wagoneer]

ONCE AGAIN THANKS YOU GUYS Hey Jay sorry we bailed so early went to Yuma nice and warmer. See you all soon

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Yeah, we left a couple days early...in Yuma at Fortuna Pond now.

 

[Wanderer]

I'm getting a '99 E-250 here in about 2 weeks.

I was going to mount the spare on the back door again, like my last one had, but instead, I'm gonna build my own simple spare carrier that is mounted to the rear bumper, but is hinged so that it rides up where a rear door carrier sits, and will be lockable.

Unlock it, and the whole thing swings down to the ground. The only lifting is putting it back up in it's riding position. 1 person can do it easily. Ultra simple.

oh...and no wear and tear on the rear door hinges!  (maybe I should patent it!)

Oh wow...I'd LOVE to see the finished product.....I would probably love to buy it. My Dodge has it underneath and the strength to put it back in position has been a  concern for me....This sounds like a very workable thing....

 

[Tinman74]

Wanderer,
The spare under the Dodge Van should have a winch, operated thru a hole in the rear door sill above the bumper, no problem.

Another Bob

 

[Patrick46]

Wanderer,
The spare under the Dodge Van should have a winch, operated thru a hole in the rear door sill above the bumper, no problem.

Another Bob

My S-10 pick-up has this set-up, and I can't stand it! You've gotta crawl around under the back of your rig to fetch the tire outta there, and it's a very dirty job. No Thanx!

My idea...your hands will get dirty messing with a dirty tire...that's all.
And you guys have now given me the added idea to maybe mount some sort of spring on it to make raising and lowering easier.

Hey...better yet...how 'bout an electric hydraulic cylinder????

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I like the simple counter spring idea.

 

[WriterMs]

My S-10 pick-up has this set-up, and I can't stand it! You've gotta crawl around under the back of your rig to fetch the tire outta there, and it's a very dirty job.  No Thanx!

My idea...your hands will get dirty messing with a dirty tire...that's all.
And you guys have now given me the added idea to maybe mount some sort of spring on it to make raising and lowering easier.

Hey...better yet...how 'bout an electric hydraulic cylinder????

Maybe you really should look into a patent.... or at least into making it a product you sell to others (after you try it out in all conditions... now i'm thinking the big obstacle in selling one is manufacturer's liability if one of them fails at some point). Sounds like there is a lot of interest in just this small sampling of folks.

 

[Patrick46]

Well...like I said, I AM gong to build one for myself.

I post the results here once I get it done...but you'll hafta be patient, as it may be a few months before I get the chance.

 

[SternWake]

Despite a bad paintjob and some rust which I have treated, the one which came on my Dodge seems well built. I regularly stand on my spare tire when squeeging my solar panels, I just made sure the adjustable support on the bottom of the door is resting on the door frame. Took a few washers to take out the play that would otherwise occur when I stand on the tire with the door closed.