2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How to lower spare tire with tailgate down?

[rstl99trial]

Hi all,



I have a nice older 10 foot Alaskan slide-in camper that I'll be putting on the back of my 96 4x4 2500 (8 foot bed). Given the camper sticks out 2 feet in the back, people usually rest the back part on the lowered tailgate. Problem for me is: how do I lower the spare tire if I need it on the road, since with the tailgate down it blocks the access point to the hex socket for the lowering mechanism? I have been advised by Alaskan camper owners not to remove the tailgate, which would be the easy solution. The way they're built, they require some support back there.



I cannot mount the spare on the back of the Alaskan, and putting the spare on the front bumper (assuming some kind of attachment is available) would be both unsightly and limit cooling air flow.



I checked things out underneath and attach pictures of my current setup. Attached to the spare tire pulley is a round pipe held on by a pin, at the other end of which is the hex opening that is located just under the (closed) tailgate, in which the matching hex pipe fits in and allows turning the pulley from the outside. That round pipe could be disconnected and shortened, leaving the hex end underneath the truck (secured somehow), into which a proper hex socket could fit in and be used to lower the tire with a ratchet. That's the only way I see this working.



Any other thoughts/suggestions welcome! Thanks.

 

[Missouri Mule]

rstl99trial, the way you desribed how to do it sounds pretty good!

 

[rrl989]

I'd bet a good ChannelLock wrench would allow you to rotate the shaft to lower the spare, but I doubt that would work to get the spare back up.

It takes alot more work to go up.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I hauled a 11' 6" slide in camper with my former 2000 CTD dually. I made up a tool using a 3/8" drive ratchet handle to lower and raise the spare tire. I've looked all through the photo files on my computer and can't find it. IIRC, I also posted a photo of it in the old TDR photo gallery, but it's gone too.



Bill

 

[Road Dog]

I always take my tailgate off when the camper is loaded. I can't imagine a camper so poorly built that it needs the tailgate underneath. Just think of the load on the camper when you're cruising down an old logging road. I can't get at the spare either but so far I've ignored the problem. The Alaskan website only says "The Ten Foot Alaskan Camper is best suited for a 3/4 ton truck. The camper extends to the end of the tailgate and does not require the removal of the tailgate. " It doesn't say it needs a tailgate.

 

[BigPapa]

I would suggest fabbing up a tool as Bill said. That said, a pipe wrench on the tube will work in an emergency.



Scott

 

[dclassens]

Remove the spare tire from the truck before the camper install and secure the tire to the top of the camper.

 

[charlessmith]

A good pipe wrench on the rod in front of the bumper is the way to go.

You can even crank up the flat tire this way. Don't ask me how I know

 

[rstl99trial]

Remove the spare tire from the truck before the camper install and secure the tire to the top of the camper.

Thanks, if only my camper (and my back!) could accommodate. Cheers.

 

[rstl99trial]

A good pipe wrench on the rod in front of the bumper is the way to go.



You can even crank up the flat tire this way. Don't ask me how I know

Sounds like the voice of experience Simple solution, I admit. I had surmised that it may be a chore to crank the tire back up, and I suppose it's probably harder than bringing the spare down, but I suppose all is possible if one put one's mind to it. Thanks for that, I like the no-nonsense approach. I'll pack a pipe wrench in my road tool kit!

 

[HHhuntitall]

Let me suggest lowering the rod? It has quite a bit of play in it, and depending on your spare size, it will lower enough to get under the tail gate. Granted you might have to butcher the lower part of your bed cowling, but perhaps you could do it to look a little nicer. It might even have enough play to go through the license plate holder... ... .



There is a more complicated option I'd suggest that requires a little more mechanical ability. That is to find (or use your's) another rod, or use a 1/2" extension, and fab a driveshaft rod from two 1/2" drive wobble extensions. Like these: Performance Tool 20105 - Universal Joint | O'Reilly Auto Parts



I'd suggest putting the outshaft through the bumper or the license plate holder, myself, and welding them all together so they can't be lost or come out down the road. I'm sure you've looked at it and can see how it can be fabbed up and done.



For a less complicated option, try cutting off your rod and welding a bolt down in it, then you can access it from underneath, behind the bumper with a ratchet and socket. The right sized bolt, with a washer welded under it, and you can even use your factory ratchet, if you wanted, somewhat like mentioned above.



Always test before leaving the house... ... don't be like me!!