Input for coach absent of Spare tire

[Vlamgat]

[quote="randallrae"]New coaches have spare option[/quote]

How is that spare removed and replaced behind the ladder? Is the ladder removable? Having changed my wheel, I know how difficult it is to get the wheel up to that height but toalso have to slide it behind the ladder looks very challenging.

[randallrae]

Ladder hinges up out of the way ,but you still have to lift it . The roadmaster hitch mount is equipped with a handle that allows you to lower and raise the tire to the ground and back up .

[stevek]

TopLine Mfg. is the ladder on my BF.
They make hinges that can be located anywhere.
To me that Chrome Continental Kit may look really sexy and added wt.,
but I would like a regular vinyl tire cover when removing the tire and lower/ raising from ground.
Regarding the total weight of tire and rim, wonder how much weight you would save using an alloy rim?
What would you say the total weight of a tire and steel rim would be?

Also...just my 2 cents.. instead of the spare "hanging" on the side of the BF, to me it would be better if the bottom of tire rested on the bumper. My bumper is very heavy duty and has a wide ledge.
This would mean repositioning the ladder.

Here is a pic of the hinge from the TopLine site. Not very detailed.

[Mike Jean Bandfield]

TopLine Mfg. is the ladder on my BF.
They make hinges that can be located anywhere.
To me that Chrome Continental Kit may look really sexy and added wt.,
but I would like a regular vinyl tire cover when removing the tire and lower/ raising from ground.
Regarding the total weight of tire and rim, wonder how much weight you would save using an alloy rim?
What would you say the total weight of a tire and steel rim would be?

Also...just my 2 cents.. instead of the spare "hanging" on the side of the BF, to me it would be better if the bottom of tire rested on the bumper. My bumper is very heavy duty and has a wide ledge.
This would mean repositioning the ladder.

Here is a pic of the hinge from the TopLine site. Not very detailed.

Hi Steve,
I like that picture showing the spare behind the ladder. I would think it might work with any coach that could accommodate a bracket on the back wall to bolt the wheel to. Depending on how they designed the continental kit and the materials used - it could just be an easily removed lightweight shell that once removed would allow easy access to the wheel if the ladder hinged out of the way or was easily removed. I'd ask Kim.

I've referenced this post many times but maybe you haven't seen it. http://www.bornfreervclub.org/bulletin_ ... are+bumper This was how I carried an unmounted tire for many years until recently. Earlier this summer I bought a rim and I now use basically the same setup to carry the inflated spare. The bracket was modified (simolified) to fit the steel wheel, and as in the original design, the weight of the spare is still carried by the bumper. This arrangement takes advantage of the older style Born Free's extended bumper. I could add more pictures if it would help those interested.

The tire weighs ~38 pounds plus the wheel at ~25 pounds = ~65#.
Edited 8/22/2015:I got the 25 pound number from several Amazon product descriptions. A previous search a few years ago turned up 50 and 55 pounds which I questioned. We'll go with Bill Hemme's source at 35 pounds until I can actually weight the damn thing. 50 sounds too heavy and 25 too light anyway.

Regarding the alloy rim: I suspect you'd have trouble finding an alloy suitable for duallies and the weight savings wouldn't be that much.

[whemme]

Steve,

The wheel rim used on the Born Free E350 and E450 is Ford P/N is F8UZ1015AA made by Accuride under their P/N 29579. This rim weighs 35 lbs. A Michelin LTX LT225/75R16E tire weighs 38 lbs so the total weight of both is 73 lbs.

[Vlamgat]

[quote="whemme"]Steve,

The wheel rim used on the Born Free E350 and E450 is Ford P/N is F8UZ1015AA made by Accuride under their P/N 29579. This rim weighs 35 lbs. A Michelin LTX LT225/75R16E tire weighs 38 lbs so the total weight of both is 73 lbs.[/quote]

And the weight of a 19.5 plus a G rated 14 ply is even heavier.

[stevek]

Thanks. All good info. So say about 75 pounds total for a easy number to remember.
I copied this from one of Bill H previous post for quick reference.
I need to find a rim to purchase. Any idea of best price.
What about aftermarket rims?
And the $595 Roadmaster weights 65 pounds for a total of 140 pounds. Too much? I don't know?
You can see the way it swivels for easy access to spare on the ground.

[stevek]

For example, What do you think of this rim off Ebay to buy for a spare. Not OEM.
Or should I stay with OEM?

[whemme]

Steve,

I think if you look at your existing rims that the outside edge of the rims have 8 round holes in it not 4. But the rim you pictured above may or may not fit - probably will fit.

[randallrae]

I think they switched to 4 hole in 2008

[DeanPreston]

I have an 8-hole rim that I bought for $140 from a truck parts store to use as a spare for my 1998 Born Free. When I got my 2008 Born Free, I tried the 8-hole rim on the front axle hub and it fit just fine. If I had a flat tire on the rear axle of my 2013 Born Free (2012 chassis), I would move a 4-hole front wheel to the back and put the 8-hole mounted spare on the front axle. I have a 12-ton Sears hydraulic jack that seems to be barely adequate to lift one side of the rear axle.

[stevek]

My rims are 4 hole and look like the wheels for sale on my Ebay Picture.
Here is what my rims say....
They have the "ford" logo stamped.
Fumagalli...... which is the manufacture
13081 Brazil
T DOT F977A
063428
16x6
7-28-10.... build date
F2363

I did a quick google, w/ not much luck.
Fumagalli is associated with Maxion Wheels, a Brand I have heard of.

I wondering about the "offset" info.
Sometimes it is stamped on the rim.
Like my Chevy has offset info stamped on the Rim.
Guess I could take a tire off and measure.

[Mrrlyn]

I always hate to dig up old posts, but...

Has anyone done a front push-bar (or front hitch adapter) mounted spare, and if not, what is everyone's thoughts on the impacts on engine cooling efficiency. Seems like if that wasn't a problem, it'd be a win-win as far as weight over the front axle and being able to carry a spare (and not inside). I've got a spare in the roof cargo bin, but I'm considering loosing the bin for solar panel space and a small boost in aerodynamics (that may be negated with the front spare...).

[bigdipper]

Since nobody has responded for a couple of days, here's my 2 cents worth. The good news is that putting spare forward adds weight to front axle which is a good thing for most Born Frees. The bad thing is that this would impede airflow to radiator, transmission cooler. That is probably OK at moderate temperatures and flat roads. Not a good thing climbing grades or in high ambients. I would not do it.
Ralph

[stevek]

I think you may be right.
Sure looks like it, if you look at this picture and imagine the outside air getting in to your radiator.