Something new to watch for

[c214dick]

When we stopped at our last cg before leaving for home, I noticed our spare tire hanging at an angle. It appears the support mechanism loosened while traveling and required a few turns with the crank to bring it up tight again. Never noticed it before but will become part of my pre travel inspection.

[kab449]

Had that happen to me on a trip earlier this year. Someone pulled along side me at a stop light and motioned to turn down my window. I did and he told me my spare was moving under the trailer. Sure enough I could turn it about 3 revolutions to tighten it. I put a chain around it in case the mechanism fails and every so often tighten it.

[8.1al]

The tire carries have in rare instances failed but it's always good practice to keep a close eye on anything other people can fool with because they will do just that.

[richfaa]

I used cargo tie down straps on our 06 3400 and did the same on this 13 3402 to secure the spare in place. I seem to remember a post a long time ago on the forum where a spare came loose and caused a lot of damage.

[Fire5er]

We also use a cargo tie down strap on our 07 3400 because of what has happened to other MOC members.

[DQDick]

Spare is one of those things it's good to check on.

[Icehouse]

Well E-Gads and Little Horny Toads... I would have NEVER thought the spare tire would come loose. I'm not sure why. Everything else comes loose and wobbles. I check it every so often but never thought to tighten it. Thanks for the heads up.

[Art-n-Marge]

I check mine on a pre-trip cuz I check the psi, too. But this doesn't safeguard against the thing coming loose when enroute. Maybe I should add a strap for extra safety. Then add that to the checklist. Nothing like taking the time to check the hundreds of things already on the list.

[c214dick]

The strap sounds good to me. I will put it on tomorrow.

[ols1932]

Ditto on ours. We lost the spare once while returning from the balloon festival in New Mexico. Since then I have strapped the tire to the frame and also used a bicycle cable with lock to lock it to the rig. If someone wants it bad enough they'll have to do some work.

Orv

[Ozz]

Yep, thanks for bringing this up Dick, it's good insurance. I use the ratcheting type, I carry a spare because if you need to get it down, you will have to break out the Spyderco, as the ratchet will be unusable.
I am glad yours didn't fall.
Ozz

[1retired06]

And if you have a flat, don't crank up empty. We threw the flat in the back of the truck, I cranked up the empty cable, got it all tangled up in the gears and broke the gear box. And I could not find just the gear box, had to buy the whole assembly.

[Hooker]

I could not get in my driveway with the spare under the back end, so I carried it in the bed of the truck.