Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > MOC Technical Forums > Maintenance
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-07-2008, 02:22 PM   #1
mtpocket2
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: St. Charles
Posts: 216
M.O.C. #6098
Spare Tire Fell Off

I thought I had read somewhere on here people were saying their spares were coming loose. So today we were doing a little inspection to prepare for a 1200 mile round trip and I thought I better check the spare. Using no more pressure than needed to open a soda I check to see if its tight. The tire then fell to the ground. Others in the campground looked and laughed and said what did you pay for that Montana again. We then looked at our friends excel and jayco. Much better and safer design. How embarrassing and really dangerous. It is unbelievable to me that any manufacturer would be so careless with peoples lives. A tire in the face at 70 is not a good thing. It appears either a piece fell off at the end of the cable or the swedge was never done correctly to hold the cable. Either way a very poor and dangerous design. The spare will ride in the back of my truck until I can figure out something to make it safe for others following me.
 
mtpocket2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2008, 02:29 PM   #2
ols1932
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
You can strap it up like I did using straps you can get at Wal-Mart. That's what I did after I lost a spare. I also use a bicycle cable and padlock on it so it cannot be "accidentally" stolen. Makes it cumbersome to get down when needed, but when needed it will be there.

Orv
ols1932 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 02:34 AM   #3
wswebster
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Three Rivers
Posts: 266
M.O.C. #1249
We made an 11,000 mile trip recently from MI to Alaska, we checked our spare on a regular basis and it was never loose. Stacy
wswebster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 06:56 AM   #4
bsmeaton
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Lone Tree
Posts: 5,615
M.O.C. #6109
The problem I found is the bracket at the bottom of the cable is too short for the 4-1/2" opening in the wheels, and the stops don't prevent it from sliding enough to one side to let it release. It truly is a poor design.

Ours was dragging on the ground when we left the Dealer. As soon as I touched it, it fell out of the bracket. I was thankful I spotted it before it fell on the highway.

As far as embarrassing, I just don't hang out with them Excel and Jayco folks .
bsmeaton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 09:35 AM   #5
mtpocket2
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: St. Charles
Posts: 216
M.O.C. #6098
I try not to hang with those guys but I just cannot help it. They cook good and their beer is cold. I have calmed down a little but I still cannot understand what was wrong with the big wing-nut design. Sometimes in an effort to make things better we go back wards.
mtpocket2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 11:04 AM   #6
bsmeaton
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Lone Tree
Posts: 5,615
M.O.C. #6109
hahaha - truth be known I've traveled with a MH or two, even a tent trailer.

I ended up strapping mine just like Orv said.
bsmeaton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 02:01 PM   #7
mtpocket2
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: St. Charles
Posts: 216
M.O.C. #6098
What kind of strap did you guys use? Ratchet strap and cut the excess off?

While I was under there I see both brake wires laying on the leaf springs. Thats rectified too. Should have started this process weeks ago .
mtpocket2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 02:24 PM   #8
bsmeaton
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Lone Tree
Posts: 5,615
M.O.C. #6109
Be careful with those brake wires - there has to be enough slack to allow for full travel of the axle (including the additional 3" of the More-Ryde suspension) or you will pull the wires out of the drum!
Someone did that not too long ago and lost the brakes on both axles. That axles moves up and down a lot farther than you might think.

I used the ratchet straps (2) and made a criss cross. Unfortunately they were cheap straps so they may rot over time. I'll have to just keep checking them.
bsmeaton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 02:42 PM   #9
mtpocket2
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: St. Charles
Posts: 216
M.O.C. #6098
Thats what I figured on the straps. I have some and will do that. I would feel better knowing that people behind me were safe.

I just used some of that plastic wire loom around the wires. They are still the original length so no worries there.

Thanks for the replies!!!!
mtpocket2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2008, 04:45 AM   #10
cmp-shooter
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: WARE
Posts: 393
M.O.C. #3928
FROM day 1 I've stored my spare tire in the storage compartment of my 3380 rl.
cmp-shooter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2008, 06:56 AM   #11
ols1932
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by cmp-shooter

FROM day 1 I've stored my spare tire in the storage compartment of my 3380 rl.
I need all the storage space I can get. We keep trying to pare down what we're carrying but the process is slow. Seems like we are in need of everything we're carrying, especially the golf clubs. I did get rid of my bowling balls. Left them in our son's basement.

Orv
ols1932 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2008, 07:23 AM   #12
Waynem
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Texas City
Posts: 5,736
M.O.C. #7673
would a bicycle cable work being interwoven in and out of the lug nut holes up over the frame and padlocked? Kill two "hangers" with one fix!!
Waynem is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2008, 07:57 AM   #13
bsmeaton
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Lone Tree
Posts: 5,615
M.O.C. #6109
I noticed our neighbors Big Horn had the spare in the basement with the new style Z-frame. It was mounted upright against the wall, but still took way too much valuable room.

Wayne, as long as the cable doesn't let it drop and bang around down there. That would be worse than the damage from a blowout. As far as a padlock, I don't worry about it being stolen. After all, its a Mission tire .
bsmeaton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2008, 08:44 AM   #14
ols1932
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Waynem

would a bicycle cable work being interwoven in and out of the lug nut holes up over the frame and padlocked? Kill two "hangers" with one fix!!
Wayne,
If you notice my post of Sep 7th, that's what I did only I didn't go through the lug holes. I went through the center of the wheel and up and around the bracket welded to the frame. I don't believe you can get a bicycle cable through the lug holes. At least my bicycle cable with it's big loops on each end wouldn't allow it to go through the lug holes.

Orv
ols1932 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2008, 02:51 PM   #15
Waynem
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Texas City
Posts: 5,736
M.O.C. #7673
Ah! There has to be an easier way.

Let's see. A small piece of chain, through the lug holes, chain link lock, to bicycle cable, around frame, back to another small chain with chain link lock and other end of bicycle cable.

Did I do that right?

Edited: The chain could be lengthened or shortened as needed???
Waynem is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2008, 02:37 AM   #16
mtpocket2
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: St. Charles
Posts: 216
M.O.C. #6098
I am not sure what they call that green steel u-shaped channel with all the holes in it but it looks as though it might fit above the spare tire hanger. Then some threaded rod and a couple of nuts, loctite and you have a hanger. Maybe a visit to a junkyard for the spare tire wing nut and the jack plate that held the spare in. You would have to find an older car when cars were made of steel and had full size spares!
mtpocket2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2008, 04:40 AM   #17
bsmeaton
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Lone Tree
Posts: 5,615
M.O.C. #6109
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by mtpocket2

I am not sure what they call that green steel u-shaped channel with all the holes in it
Unistrut
bsmeaton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2008, 02:53 PM   #18
timandsusan
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,296
M.O.C. #5165
Golf clubs take priority in some peoples lives! I think the bowling ball would be tough to put with or drive down the fairway. I vote for ditching the bowling ball. Seriously-- I will check my spare tomorrow!
__________________
F-250 King Ranch Crew Cab 2012, Single Wheel, 6.7 L Diesel, Transfer Flow Internal 50 Gallon Fuel Tank, Upgraded Ford Software for 50 Gallon tank, 2006 3475Rl with Mor-ryde King Pin, 2nd AC, 2nd Battery, Pressure Pro TPMS, Wet Bolt Shackle Kit
timandsusan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2008, 06:27 AM   #19
Okie Guy
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Olahoma City
Posts: 1,219
M.O.C. #6054
I checked mine again last weekend before heading back home for the winter. It was again loose. This is the second time mine has come loose so I don't trust that little wire. I am going to store mine in the bed of the truck from now on.
Okie Guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2008, 04:01 PM   #20
Dean A Van Peursem
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Snohomish
Posts: 579
M.O.C. #5583
Needed to use my spare today and found out it was loose too. Need to figure out how to secure it more securely. Some good suggestions here.
Dean A Van Peursem is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Spare Tire N2BchMtnMrsh TIRES, Montana Tires 7 10-04-2014 01:18 PM
My spare tire fell down! Artemus Gordon General Discussions about our Montanas 29 12-09-2013 01:54 PM
Spare Tire pineranch Maintenance 21 05-18-2012 05:26 PM
Spare tire fell off MuddyPaws Montana Problems, Problem Solving & Technical Help 15 04-06-2009 05:23 PM
Spare Tire 2007dura Tow Vehicles & Towing 6 02-23-2005 02:25 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.