Spare tire carrier

[nxski]

I'm wondering where I might find a hitch mounted spare tire carrier that hinges. I saw one on a camper van earlier today and it peaked my interest. Rack Attack has one that doesn't hinge, but at $170 it's too expensive to cut up and modify (might as well have one custom made). I've seen a few that would work but are way too complicated and expensive.

Eg) http://www.tiregate.com/hg_series_0.shtml

I like the one at the bottom of the page but would like it to hinge similarly to the North Shore Racks.

[nxski]

These are what I'm looking for although I'd like to find a pre-fab one if possible.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/hitc ... ne-570883/

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f37/hitc ... ts-614457/

[TardisDeli]

Try the RV shops Nick my niehbour has the one you are loking for on the back of his camperized van.

[nxski]

Thanks, I'll check that out. I saw the one I wanted on the back of a camper van earlier today as well.

[nxski]

How about this http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Cargo-C ... /TR-2.html and I could get a 2" male end with a plate welded on one end and mount it that way!?

I'd still rather find a proper carrier but I suppose this could work as well.

[legionnair]

the trick is if you buy one or make one have a way to tension the drop section or it will rattle alot.

[nxski]

Thats a good point. I wonder why I've never gotten a rattle from my North Shore Rack!?

[jessef]

weight

[nxski]

weight

Wouldn't a spare tire weigh more than the top half of a bike rack!? In which case I shouldn't have to worry about rattle *nudge nudge wink wink* right?

[jessef]

it will rattle more with the spare tire being so high above the connection point at the hitch. Work around would be to use grade 8 sleeved bolts/clamp down (tight) instead of using a pin (rattle).

If you just have a 31" BFG on an alloy wheel, you're only looking at around 60 lbs.

[nxski]

Yeah, a bolt could work too but what's the point. If I wanted to spend that much time to get it out of the way of the hatch I could just buy one that doesn't fold and pull it out of the hitch each time.

[thedjjack]

Can you just have a mount added to the North Shore rack to hold the spare between the bumper and the rack??? maybe take off the top half of the rack for the trip?

[nxski]

That was an option I was thinking about. It would definitely work for the trip but when I return I want to be able to use both at the same time. Ideally tire carrier on one side, bike rack on the other, trailer attached to the centre.

[thedjjack]

I was thinking tire between the back hatch and rack so you can still use for bikes...

[nxski]

That might work. I'm wondering how I would hold it in place without compromising the paint (I certainly don't want a $650 bike rack rusting because I thought $300 was too much to spend on a folding tire carrier). I'll have to take a look when I get home. I'm hoping not to have it stick out much and to be able to store the whole thing on the roof if I pull into a tight spot for some urban camping.

I know, picky picky.