Adding Spare Tire Mount to GreyHawk

[cyclops]

Travlr45 inspired me with the spare tire mount he added to his Melbourne, but I had to do things a bit differently as my Greyhawk has less room between the frame and coach than he had. Here is the mockup of the TECA #500-100 winch attached to a 2x2 3/16" square pipe between the frame rails. I'll weld it up in the light tomorrow

[cyclops]

Ok finally brought the coach back home to take some pics.
I bought some 2x2x3/16" square pipe and some 1 1/4x1 1/4" square tubing thinking this would be a snap.
Unfortunately, unlike the Melbourne, my Grehawk has just under 2" clearance between the frame and the coach where I needed to mount the spare, so I was not able to put the 2" pipe on top of the frame.

I ended up cutting the 2x2 and welding some feet on it so it would sit inside the frame rails I then welded another chunk of 2x4 on top of the main cross piece to mount the winch to. This allowed me to get the tire up as high as possible, and to make sure I had clearance to run the actuator for the winch out the back so I can raise and lower the tire with a 3/4" socket just inside the bumper. I used 1/2" bolts to secure the mount to the chassis as my grey tank slides out toward the back where the spare is now mounted, so if I ever have a problem with the grey tank I can easily remove the spare tire carrier and drop the tank.

I mounted two pieces of square tubing in a similar manner about 11" in front and back of the center of the tire to draw the tire up against, but the bolts go from top to bottom rather than though the sides of the chassis rail due to the positioning of the BigFoot Levelers.

[Travlr45]

Looks pretty slick.

Bob in Houston

[bmurph44]

Another very nice install.

[bmurph44]

Originally Posted by cyclops

Travlr45 inspired me with the spare tire mount he added to his Melbourne, but I had to do things a bit differently as my Greyhawk has less room between the frame and coach than he had. Here is the mockup of the TECA #500-100 winch attached to a 2x2 3/16" square pipe between the frame rails. I'll weld it up in the light tomorrow
Attachment 5196

Can you tell me exactly which hoist and lifting hardware and how long the drive tube was you bought?

[cyclops]

I went with the 500-100 RV Winch Assy and a 21" Actuator tube from TECA - I did have to cut a small amount of the actuator tube off to get the right fit between the MH body and bumper, so I did have to drill a new hole for the keeper that holds the tube to the winch.

Like Travlr45 I ordered directly from:
http://www.tecaassembly.com/rv.html
You'll have to call them to order, they don't have Internet ordering on the site.

[bmurph44]

Thanks again

[msturtz]

Be careful. Although a tire will fit there and you can fabricate the winch system for it the frame rail extensions are not built to carry the load of the tire on the new Greyhawks. When I purchased my new Greyhawk the dealer sent it out to have the frame rails beefed up to Ford specification to carry the additional weight - I got the side benefit of a 7500# tow rating and 750# tongue weight (less the spare tire and carrier weight however).

[bmurph44]

Originally Posted by msturtz

Be careful. Although a tire will fit there and you can fabricate the winch system for it the frame rail extensions are not built to carry the load of the tire on the new Greyhawks. When I purchased my new Greyhawk the dealer sent it out to have the frame rails beefed up to Ford specification to carry the additional weight - I got the side benefit of a 7500# tow rating and 750# tongue weight (less the spare tire and carrier weight however).

Thanks for the heads up but I find it hard to believe that those frame rail extensions would not be able to handle the weight of a spare tire which is probably 80 to 100 lbs. including the the steel, especially considering the Reese hitch is also attached to the frame rails and would carry way more than that in tongue weight if towing a boat or some type of trailer.

[msturtz]

Originally Posted by bmurph44

Thanks for the heads up but I find it hard to believe that those frame rail extensions would not be able to handle the weight of a spare tire which is probably 80 to 100 lbs. including the the steel, especially considering the Reese hitch is also attached to the frame rails and would carry way more than that in tongue weight if towing a boat or some type of trailer.

As long as you deduct the 100#+or so from the tow dead weight (500#) rating you should be fine. The issue is people don't do that. My other problem was I am flat towing a Tahoe. The GM book weight is 5500# with driver and fuel. But when I weighed my Tahoe I found out that it was closer to 6500 pounds. The only way to be safe was to have the subframe beef up done to increase my tow rating to 7500 pounds and 750# tongue weight. The subframe beef up was done to Ford specifications. In addition I wanted rear skid wheels installed to prevent damage to the rear of the motorhome in the event I encountered a steep driveway or road. You cannot do this unless you have a sub frame beef done.

[Stevefaync]

Hey folks, I have been looking high and low for the info on what exactly needs to be done to beef up the frame so that I can install a spare tire and hanger under the rear of my 2014 Redhawk 26xs. Can anybody provide info on where exactly to find this information. Thanks! Steve

[Stevefaync]

Any thoughts on mounting the spare tire up front on my 2014 Redhawk 26xs, via a 2" receiver hitch and a spare tire attachment?

I have been looking on the internet and can find a number of folks who have do this and it did not have any effect on the engine or trans temps.

Trying to figure this spare tire problem out.

Also.... I tow a 400 pound dolly with a 4000 pound vehicle on that dolly. We don't really put extra stuff in the towed vehicle. I wish I could flat tow my F-150 sometimes, but it weighs in right at 6000 pounds with my Jon boat & rack that are mounted on it.

[bmurph44]

Originally Posted by Stevefaync

Hey folks, I have been looking high and low for the info on what exactly needs to be done to beef up the frame so that I can install a spare tire and hanger under the rear of my 2014 Redhawk 26xs. Can anybody provide info on where exactly to find this information. Thanks! Steve

The tire and everything to install it will weigh less than a 100 pounds, you don't need to beef up your frame unless you plan on towing something with a lot of tongue weight. Read post number 10 in this thread.

[msturtz]

Originally Posted by Stevefaync

Hey folks, I have been looking high and low for the info on what exactly needs to be done to beef up the frame so that I can install a spare tire and hanger under the rear of my 2014 Redhawk 26xs. Can anybody provide info on where exactly to find this information. Thanks! Steve

Provided that you subtract the weight if the tire, rim and framework from the tongue weight and from the tow weight it *should* be ok. If you want information on subframe beef ups you can find it here:

http://www.torkliftcentral.com/chassis_upgrade.php

[CarlB]

What might one expect to pay for the subframe beef up?

[msturtz]

Originally Posted by CarlB

What might one expect to pay for the subframe beef up?

It is about $1,000 - $1,500 including the 7,500# hitch.

[CarlB]

Who did your subframe reinforcement?

[msturtz]

Originally Posted by CarlB

Who did your subframe reinforcement?

Torklift Central in Kent Washington.

[Berjr]

I just finished installing a spare tire carrier on our 18 Grreyhawk unit. I used the Retract-a-Spare kit. It fit right up on top of my frame rails with out any modifications at all. Placed a few short welds and I was complete.

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