Jack
In Training
Posts: 27 
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Post by Jack on Nov 17, 2017 8:42:19 GMT 10
G'day All: I apologize for my apparent absence. Been a bit busy. I am seeking opinions about mounting a spare tyre on the back of a light weight caravan such as my 1972 Franklin Hunter. An example of what I am thinking about is in these two photos:  ...the other end:  IMG_20171110_141337_resized by Yak Ngi, on Flickr There is a fair bit of weight in the wheel and mount assembly, which leaves me wondering if this could cause a dangerous swaying under certain conditions. I was thinking about mounting just one wheel on a light steel frame. It certainly would be good to get the spare wheel out of the way. I would appreciate any opinions or thoughts. Thanks in advance. |
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Post by pisces51 on Nov 17, 2017 9:33:38 GMT 10
G'day jack,
For these old vans, there is a recommended ball weight of 15% of the Aggregate Trailer Mass (the fully laden weight when NOT attached to the tow vehicle). From my experience, a complete wheel weighs in the order of 25kgs, and the metal bracket across the back of the van also weighs in the order of 25kgs. Two spare wheels plus the full-width bracket will give a total extra weight of approx 75kgs, and since this weight is way at the back of the van, it is counteracting the ball weight by at least 75kgs.
I had swaying problems with a 1992 Windsor 17ft4ins van, which had the bracket across the back with one spare wheel attached. I removed the bracket and had a smaller bracket built on the drawbar at the front. The change in weight distribution instantly improved the handling of the van.
The other issue to consider is the loading allowance allocated to your van. The rego authorities typically give a loading allowance of 300kgs for a single axle van. If you add 75kgs worth of spare wheels/bracket, then you are reducing the ability to carry other requirements in the van. This may or not be an issue depending on what you want to carry in total.
Also worth considering is how often you will need a spare. Will one be sufficient?? I'm struggling to remember the last time I saw a van on the side of the road with a flat tyre, but then I don't go off the beaten track so it might happen more frequently on those roads/tracks.
cheers,
Al.
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Post by Rattles on Nov 17, 2017 10:14:16 GMT 10
AS above, In 50 years of towing a Caravan I have never used a Spare Tyre always carried one however.
When I ordered my 2000 Millard Moonsoon (Gazel) caravan I ordered it with 2 Spares, September 2017 when going to Tasmania and in a effort to reduce Cost (Vehicle passage is dependant upon length), I removed the Bumper Bar and 2 Alloy rimed 185/14 tyres and weighed the lot and it weighed 120kg, Wheels 30kg each and the Bumper 60kg.
On inspection of the Wheel mounts on the Bumper bar the L/H side bracket was fractured at the top, only hanging on by one weld.
I carried one spare in the back of my 1999 Prado strapped down by 2 Crossed Ratchet straps, I found this to be no imposition.
The Caravan always has towed exceptionally well, however without the extra 120kg swinging out the back the Van towed much smoother.
Rattles
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Post by Warrenk on Nov 17, 2017 13:14:08 GMT 10
Why don't use a spare tyre winch(like they use on utes). Attach the winch to under the draw bar and the spare is out of the way as well as keeping your ball weight in a safe area. Currently gathering the parts to do this mod to my Olympic using a Holden Rodeo tyre winch.
Warren
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Post by planner on Nov 17, 2017 13:26:43 GMT 10
AS above, In 50 years of towing a Caravan I have never used a Spare Tyre always carried one however. Likewise Rattles, always carried a spare and never used it, until 2 years ago. I cracked a rim on a pothole in Alice Springs, this created a small leak that eventually caused me to change the tyre 10 days later at Marla. The next morning, about half way between Marla and Coober Pedy, the spare tyre blew, leaving me on the side of the road with no spare. On a big trip I would carry 2 spares, but 1 of these would probably be in the ute, the other is on the drawbar. Our Arrow does not enjoy weight being placed aft of the axle. I created a large storage area under the rear bed that is now largely unused (except for spare pillows and blankets). Even the camp chairs stored in the tail caused the van to sway. Nothing drastic, but enough to see if I looked in the mirror. Planner |
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Post by atefooterz on Nov 17, 2017 17:09:50 GMT 10
Why don't use a spare tyre winch(like they use on utes). Attach the winch to under the draw bar and the spare is out of the way as well as keeping your ball weight in a safe area. Currently gathering the parts to do this mod to my Olympic using a Holden Rodeo tyre winch. Warren I did similar on my Arrow, but did not bother with the winch... ditzygypsy.proboards.com/attachment/download/1487The inflated tyre "jam fits" nicely in the A frame & the one time i did have to use it ( the less than 2 years old valve split on the rim) unscrewing the 2 long bolts & drop out wheel, caravan still hooked up onto tug = no issues. |
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Post by Mustang on Nov 18, 2017 8:16:42 GMT 10
Recently I was quoted by a Bob Jane franchisee that 5 years is old for a tyre, that said keep your tyres up to date & you should find one spare enough. there are some utube demos that are interesting. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jk9H5AB4lM |
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Post by atefooterz on Nov 18, 2017 10:46:47 GMT 10
Considering about 90% of puntures come from carless folks leaving around sharp fasteners, high numbers of punctures recorded near renovations where trundle tray & on street parking is carried out. My latest plug last year, from a gyprock screw left among the debree where the place was being renovated set me off. So checking with the 3 close by local Michelin, Bridgestone & Bob Jane stores ( being within 5 street fronts makes quotes fun) they all agreed that most of what they saw/fixed replaced, in modern tyres, was fastner punctures. I had a welding rod end in a LT Mitchelin that stayed as a very slow leak for about a year on my L300 and just bent over about 7mm and got shiney road polished= how i discovered it as the sun was glinting on it as i was knocking off work at the busy industrial compound.
Later one 35c+ day travelling along a raised freeway pow , as i went over one of those metal teeth type expansion grids, doing the road speed of 80klm meant the tyre shredded by pull over, so without being on top of the history would have blamed the then 2 year old tyres, if they were cheapies haha!
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Post by snoops on Nov 18, 2017 21:18:13 GMT 10
Personally I wouldn't hang a spare out the back - I've got almost no weight behind the axle and that's the way I like it. I can tow my van at 110 without issue and I've had friends follow me camping and while on the CB chatting to each other, did a few things to try and upset it including quite a quick lane change - friends reported back that it was rock solid. The further back you have weight like that, the more likely you are to create a pendulum effect in the arse end.
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Jack
In Training
Posts: 27
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Post by Jack on Nov 19, 2017 14:20:17 GMT 10
G'day All:
Thank you all for your very comprehensive and informative posts on this subject.
I can not fit the tyre under the drawbar, thus shall be erring on the size of caution and leaving the spare forward of the axle, or in the tug.
Cheers, Jack
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Post by snoops on Nov 19, 2017 15:14:26 GMT 10
Good call IMO, although plenty do run spares up the back, if you don't have to, it pays not to. I can mount mine on the drawbar on the Franklin at the moment, but I usually throw it in the back of the ute anyway, or leave it on the floor in the van. My new Viscount doesn't have anywhere for a spare, so I'll be doing this when I start using it too.
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