Truck campers-How do you lower the spare w/camper loaded?

[NETim]

Since the camper overhang precludes easy access to the spare tire winch, how do you go about lowering the spare tire with the camper aboard?



My Dad has fabricated a crank with a "U" joint in it that fits the winch hex shaft. He used a 7/16" bolt and welded a jam nut on it. The bolt has an 11/16" head.



Just curious.



Tim

 

[azpete]

Disconnected the rear tie downs and raised the back of camper enough to clear on my last flat tire (thankyou electric jacks!). Didn't take very long but would be interested also if there is an easier way.

 

[BigFun]

I'm considering putting on a front receiver and spare tire mount and moving the spare from the rear to the front while carrying the camper. That will also take a few pounds off the rear and move to the front as I lost 150 pounds off the front axle when loaded. Sure would make access much simpler than lifting that biga$$ camper.



BF

 

[VicR]

Big Fun - I thought about doing the same thing to my 99 to make room for an extra fuel tank, but I was worried about blocking too much air flow to the engine. If you do it, let me know if your temps change.



-Vic

 

[dresslered]

The Bigfoot with basement doesn't hang down so the spare tire isn't an issue.

 

[wcjp]

Just did this on Saturday. Raise the camper. My dad used to tow with a 78' Ford Gasser. The tire mounted in front blocked to much air. After removing the front spare tire overheating problems went away.

 

[sheldon]

I took a 5/8 allan wrench and cut off the angle. I put it in the socket at the back of the truck and use a 5/8 socket and ratchet to lower or raise the spare. Works like a charm.

 

[Bill Stockard]

On my '00 3500 I used a short bolt with a 5/8" head(don't remember what size bolt it was) and locked two 5/8" nuts on it. I glued this in an old 3/8" drive 5/8"socket with RTV with the head sticking out of the socket. Using a 3/8" ratchet handle and a short extension gave me access to the spare tire winch with the camper on the truck.



On the '03 there is access to the end of the shaft that drives the winch from underneath the truck from behind the bumper.



So far, I've had only one flat and that was on the '00 3500 on the inside rear dual and didn't know it for 200 miles until I stopped for fuel. The flat was caused from the "el cheapo" OEM rubber valve stem leaking. I had all the stems replaced with metal stems which I will have done on the '03 also.



Bill

 

[ATClark]

Access to spare tire winch with pick up camper

Had a similar experience with the rubber tire stems on my dually. At the tire store the chart indicated steel stems for use over 60 psi.



I simply purchased a 5/8" hex diameter turn buckle from the local hardware store ($3. 00) and removed the ends parts of the turn buckle. Now I can insert the turn buckle part into the winch end, put on a 5/8" deep socket, add a 8" wobble extension, and then use my rachet to raise or lower the spare tire (on my back under the rig, of course).



Now I just use this 'outfit' with a speed wench when not carrying the camper (easier then getting out the 'handles').

 

[SMorneau]

I'm considering putting on a front receiver and spare tire mount and moving the spare from the rear to the front while carrying the camper. That will also take a few pounds off the rear and move to the front as I lost 150 pounds off the front axle when loaded. Sure would make access much simpler than lifting that big***** camper.



BF

Sounds like a load problem to me. You gain weight on all four if the truck is loaded properly. The center of gravity should sit ahead of the rear axle which will add not reduce the load on the front end.



My camper does not overhang so the spare is accessible. However I did realize this when I was shopping for campers and figured I could use a tie rod wrench or somthing to get to the shaft under the truck.

 

[MGordon]

I had to do this a few weeks ago while antelope hunting. What a pain. I raised the camper, but also had to let the air out of my air bags because the bed would just follow the camper up. I could wait along time before doing that again.



I think I'll look iinto a 12v motor with remote control.

 

[SBall]

With my 01 I found that if I laid under the truck I could simply use a crescent wrench on the spare tire shaft, accessing it near where it comes in behind the license plate. This is a great question and something I hadn't considered during all the years I've carried my Lance camper... ... . until this past summer's Alaska trip.

Steve