Spare tire on bumper
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3744
Printed Date: 09 Jun 2025 at 7:18am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Spare tire on bumper
Posted By: kaleidoscopegirl
Subject: Spare tire on bumper
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2013 at 1:23pm
|
I've done some reading here about the receiver on the back of the pod being for the spare tire. I'm guessing you have to order a bracket to hold the tire there and the pod does not come with one? My tire came fastened in the rear compartment, drivers side of the pod. Has a bolt and plate to screw it down to and hold in place. I really don't want it there. Takes up a bunch of very valuable real estate there! So is this what might work or are there other suggestions? $102 seems like a lot - or no? http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower-6715-Front-Carrier/dp/B000E1HWDS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373995182&sr=8-1&keywords=spare+tire+hitch - http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower-6715-Front-Carrier/dp/B000E1HWDS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373995182&sr=8-1&keywords=spare+tire+hitch ------------- Erin - TV 2010 Buick Enclave - 2014 RP182G - Equalizer hitch 
|
Replies:
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2013 at 1:39pm
|
The current 17X series Pods come with the spare mounted on the bumper and include a receiver mounting bracket. You might be able to order it from FR. Don't know the price. Although I don't have a 18X, it seems the spare on the bumper might interfere with the garage opening, causing some inconvenience. Another option, which I have implemented, is to mount the spare on the tongue with all the other stuff. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2013 at 1:40pm
|
Basically that is what is on the back of my Pod. Don't know about the price. If it is worth it to you get it. I would that's for sure. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: kaleidoscopegirl
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2013 at 1:54pm
Thanks guys. Duh.  So obvious that the garage will be an issue. Will look at the tongue mount. I think I saw that post before.
------------- Erin - TV 2010 Buick Enclave - 2014 RP182G - Equalizer hitch
|
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2013 at 1:55pm
|
I would think it would prevent garage opening also. We have a 181g and our tire is in the same place as yours is. I can't imagine we could put it on the back and still open and use that area very effectively. Always having to walk around it to get to things etc. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2013 at 1:58pm
|
I have always purchased hitches and related items from Curt Manufacturing, They have an almost identical carrier on Amazon for $80.00. Regardless of which one you buy. Most are made for 2" receivers rather than the 1 1/2 receiver on the pods. http://www.amazon.com/Curt-Manufacturing-31006-Spare-Mount/dp/B0009YIE1O/ref=pd_sbs_auto_1 Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2013 at 2:11pm
|
Here's how I mounted the spare on the tongue of my 172. Works well and has been road tested. You will still need the tire mounting bracket, but you can use a 2 inch version with this hardware. http://rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3132&title=tongue-mounted-spare-tire-on-172 ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2013 at 3:16pm
|
We did the same as CharlieM and mounted our spare tire to the tongue. It will make a difference as far as the tongue weight but for us we wanted more tongue weight. We bought our bracket from Northern Tool and just happened to be on clearance. I never liked the way the trailer looked with the spare tire in the back it looked odd to me. It does perhaps help in back maybe as a bumper. David ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2013 at 4:41pm
 ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2013 at 3:43am
Add me to the list!  Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2013 at 9:48am
|
Me (backing into our storage parking spot for the first time with a concrete wall behind it): Let me know how far away I am from the wall.
She (standing back by the wall I thought): Okay, you have about 8 feet to go. Now 6 feet. Go slow. About 4 feet now.
Me (realizing the TV and Pod are not moving backwards anymore): It's not backing up ... is something blocking the wheels?
She: Nope.
Me (putting TV in park and getting out): well, somethings wrong then.
She: You still have a couple feet to the wall.
Me (going back to look and seeing the tire smooshed up against the wall): Found the problem!
In her defense she was standing to the side of the Pod, not behind it, forgot about the spare and couldn't see it from where she was standing. Of course, it was still my fault.  ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2013 at 10:45am
|
When it comes to the she's......it's ALWAYS our fault. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
|
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2013 at 10:50am
 ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: kaleidoscopegirl
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2013 at 3:04pm
|
lol - funny stories- looks like we need tongue mount. Hubby wants to mount it under the tongue though if he can.
------------- Erin - TV 2010 Buick Enclave - 2014 RP182G - Equalizer hitch
|
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2013 at 6:54pm
|
My first time out I backed into a tree and poked a hole in the Pod. Never have again... ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2013 at 10:12am
Under the tongue will work I think if you have axle risers. Not sure if you will have the clearance without them. Also I think you will have to move the sewer pipe carrier. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
|
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2013 at 1:02pm
That might be a great idea. Please let us know how it works out if he does it. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2014 at 2:48pm
I'm also thinking about getting the Northern Tool spare tire mount. Did you have to modify the bracket to make it fit on the Rpod? It looks like it may also sit a little lower than CharlieM's solution. Did you have any issues with ground clearance? Cody |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2014 at 7:10pm
Seems like I looked at the NT mount and it had some clearance problem, but I don't recall what. Maybe ground or maybe my second gas bottle. Measure carefully. If it fits it should work fine. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2014 at 9:34pm
|
Thanks CharlieM. Looks like NT sells two versions of their bracket now. I'll be sure to measure the clearances. I need to move the spare upfront to free up cargo space in the back. I didn't realize how much stuff my wife wanted to pack till we got the pod. |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2014 at 7:53am
|
We got the tire mount from northern tool. It worked out great. Mounted it on the tongue next to the propane tank. Doesn't interfere with the battery rack. You would need to offset a dual propane plate though. Otherwise, it keeps the tire close to the tongue instead of away. Easy set up, four bolts and nuts. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2014 at 7:56am
|
Cody, I think the larger one ($30) is the one to look at. The problems will be tire clearance to the front of the Pod and tire clearance to the propane tanks if you have two. It's a tight fit. As I remember the original tire carrier gives a bit more clearance from the back of the tire to the plane of the trailer frame. So the questions are do you have the original bumper mount carrier and do you have dual propane tanks? You may actually have to call the carrier supplier (good luck) to get all the dimensions. EDIT: I think this is also what WingNut is referring to if you have dual tanks. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2014 at 8:44am
CharlieM, I have a single tank. Not sure if I have the original tire carrier (currently have a 2014 Rpod 178) but it seems to have some decent length from the back of the tire to the plane of the trailer frame. I also have a WDH. I'm trying to figure out if that will work out also. Thanks. Cody
|
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2014 at 9:40am
|
Cody, If you look closely at my original post you'll see there's little clearance to the front of the Pod as well as the gas bottles. Your single bottle will help, but don't rule out a future upgrade. http://rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3132&title=tongue-mounted-spare-tire-on-172 - http://rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3132&title=tongue-mounted-spare-tire-on-172 Also space on the frame for the receiver is limited. That ruled out a nice looking bolt on receiver from Curt. I also had the E2 WDH connected forward of the gas tanks. It all fits. I can't say for sure with the NT carrier without a bunch more digging into sometimes unavailable data. If you do have the original FR factory carrier it seems the Swagman bolt on receiver with 1.25" to 2" conversion spacers would be the cheapest. And I know it fits. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2014 at 9:58am
|
CharlieM, Thanks for the response. Did you end up using a drill press to accurately line up the new holes on the mounting plates? Cody
|
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2014 at 10:45am
|
Yes on the drill press. You really can't drill that sized hole in that thick steel without one. I don't have a press (maybe someday), but I do have a good neighbor. If you use the Swagman receiver the supplied bolts are metric, slightly smaller than 1/2". I replaced with SAE 1/2" bolts but you should drill with 9/16 to provide clearance. If you only have a 1/2" drill you'll have wobble and or ream unless you're really good.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2014 at 9:51am
|
Charlie, Just curious why you spaced the new holes 3 inches apart on the Swagman Receiver when the width of the frame is 2 inches? Did you do it to balance the Swagman receiver over the width of the frame? Also, why did you replace the original bolts with 1/2" bolts? The ones supplied seem adequate. Thanks Cody91 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2014 at 4:13pm
|
Cody, It's getting a little faint in the rear view mirror since I no longer have my Pod, but here goes: The holes are 3" center to center. This accommodates the 2" frame, one half of each bolt diameter, and some slop for tweaking and misalignment. If you drill 2" center to center it won't fit. The original bolts were metric and too long for the 3" frame. They are only threaded on the end so shorter bolts are required. I just went with the closest SAE size rather than metric. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2014 at 9:49pm
|
Thanks Charlie for recalling your thoughts on this. I'm planning to do this mod once I can get to my father's house and use his drill press. Thanks. Cody91 |