Spare tire

[K9Kampers]

I just saw Gazmn's spare tire mod on the Mac Mods page, which leads me to ask a long wondered question. Does anyone else have issues with spare clearances?

When we got our boat, the spare was mounted to starboard just behind the bow - but it was rubbing on the boat. I remounted it in the only available spot, just behind and to port of the winch tower. The only problem is vertical clearance between the bottom of the tire and the road when driving over uneven road transitions - such as the end of my driveway. All along now, I've been loading the spare tire in the back of the SUV when trailering. Anybody dealing with spare tire issues?

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

mine's fine.
i use the same "fulton" spare tire bracket that mounts it up & out from the front location of the trailer just behind the ladder.

Bob T.
"DaBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

[Night Sailor]

When I bought the boat and realized that the spare tire for the trailer would rub the boat or hit the road if mounted to the tongue, I bought a spare tire mount that lifted the tire up at about a 60 degree angle and about 6 inches higher. INstead of mounting the unit to the trailer frame, I drilled the side of the bow ladder and bolted the unit to that. The wheel doesn't get in the way of boarding, can't get in the water or hit the road as it's above the frame, or touch the boat, and is high enough to stand on when boarding the boat. About $25 at BassPro, WM, etc.

[Frank C]

Don't have a spare. But several Macs in our marina have the spare mounted mid-way up the bow ladder, so maybe the local dealers in NorCal got that message. Night Sailor's solution is how I'd approach it.

[Terry]

I don't have a spare either and since I only tow a 15 minute drive to the marina and then slip for the season I haven't obtained one. What does get my attention though is how many other trailers do have a spare mounted, including several of the new M's I have seen. Do some dealers include a spare while others do not and is there some motor vehicle act that says it is mandatory? Some even have it listed as a mod but I would assume it should be standard equipment like in an automobile. I am reluctant to tow any great distances until I do get a spare and even the short distance I do tow is questionable but I take my chances since I am not doing 70mph. It is my own humble opinion that the dealers should be adding these or at minimum including them as an option if they whish to be perceived as reputable. That any dealer would allow a customer to tow their newly purchased boat away and down the highway without a spare seems incomprehensible, but then again I drove away with mine without even noticing there was no spare, I guess I was overcome with excitement.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

Do some dealers include a spare while others do not and is there some motor vehicle act that says it is mandatory? Some even have it listed as a mod but I would assume it should be standard equipment like in an automobile.

Inmon Yachts lists it as a $220 option on his price list (near the bottom of the page)

Inmon Yachts

[Chip Hindes]

That any dealer would allow a customer to tow their newly purchased boat away and down the highway without a spare seems incomprehensible,

If it's indeed incomprehensible to be "allowed" to trailer without a spare, then it seems to me your argument ought to be with MacGregor rather than the dealer.

I disagree in either case. The beauty of the Mac is that you can save a ton of bucks on a new Mac by the options you don't order. Though I believe they're missing out on a major benefit of the Mac, there are plenty who use their trailer to deliver their boat to the slip, then never use it again, and they're perfectly happy to be allowed to not buy a spare.

In another way I agree, what is a dealer thinking who doesn't at least offer a spare as an option. By listing it on the order form he automatically informs his customers one doesn't come standard. From a business standpoint, if he doesn't he forfeits the potential for a big dollar profit as there is on most options. Take a look at Inmon's price. You should be able to get a wheel and radial tire sized for the Mac at your local tire warehouse for something under $125. $130 for a Goodyear Marathon and wheel at Champion; though shipping will take that to $145-170 depending on you postal zone, it's still way less than $220.

[Mark Karagianis]

My 2005 M trailer would seriously drag the spare tire at the end of my long driveway and in gas station driveways. I use a 2004 Toyota Sienna AWD as a tow vehicle and I probably have less hooked-up spare-tire clearance than most of you. First I tried elimination of any in-boat weight forward of the axle while trailering, but, even with full fuel tanks and water tank, it still rubbed.

I solved this problem by simply turning the stock spare tire mounting bracket around, so that the "tails" are now pointing up. I gained 1 1/2" of ground clearance for the spare, and it hasn't dragged since. I'll post a photo tomorrow. This is the best kind of mod - IT'S FREE!

Mark

[Chip Hindes]

It is, to put it politely, not prudent to change the weight distribution on your trailer to gain clearance for your tongue mounted spare or anything else that happens to be dragging. You need 8% minimum tongue weight, 10% is better. If that causes the trailer to tilt forward, or worse, something to drag, you need a higher "rise" on your hitch ball.

You say you have fixed the dragging problem, which is good, but you still need to make sure the tongue weight is where it belongs.

[Frank C]

o

... I remounted it in the only available spot, just behind and to port of the winch tower. The only problem is vertical clearance between the bottom of the tire and the road when driving over uneven road transitions - such as the end of my driveway ...

The "drag height" of the spare tire is truly incidental ... what's your tow vehicle???

The correct orientation of your rig is based upon the tow vehicle's ability to bear an adequate tongue wt. and keep the rig level (or as close as possible). A standard pickup has a higher ride height to begin with ... so after bearing tongue weight it has a better chance to keep the trailer frame from approaching too closely to terra firma. I reject the RoT(*) notion that tongue wt must be 8 percent ... my pickup has only 6.5% tongue wt and it pulls my 26X, "... like it wasn't there!"

The factor that really determines how and where you mount the spare is truly specific to your individual towing rig's height, making it indeterminate as a general rule. I agree that it's truly misguided to alter tongue weight to try to accomodate the spare's mounting position. Only particular tow vehicles can manage a spare mounted to the trailer frame ... frequently they would be 4x4 models ... with elevated ride height.

Mounting the apare on the boarding ladder obviates the dilemma.


* RoT = Rule of Thumb

[pokerrick1]

I bought my new from Inmon and paid the option price, but I have ZERO problems with clearance, etc., and I have been on some pretty steep mountain roads with it (pulling with a 4x4).

Rick

[R Rae]

A very simple and direct approach is to just purchase two 1/2 x 5" long bolts @ $1.25 a piece. Have them welded on the side of the ladder between the 2nd and 3rd top step to fit the lug holes on the spare.
Cost , approx. $10 and, away you go.

KISS!!

Ron

[Moe]

H&S Yachts just bolted our spare tire to the ladder riser with a backing plate, no drilling or welding necessary.



--
Moe

[pokerrick1]

A very simple and direct approach is to just purchase two 1/2 x 5" long bolts @ $1.25 a piece. Have them welded on the side of the ladder between the 2nd and 3rd top step to fit the lug holes on the spare.
Cost , approx. $10 and, away you go.
Ron

Ron - - - that's a GREAT idea for do it yourselfers! Sadly - - - some of us aren't.

Rick

[K9Kampers]

Frank - the tow vehicle is a Ford Explorer.

Add / remove the trailer spare does not affect my trailer height. The spare mount is an up & out style. This only gives the spare an 8" clearance at tow, but bottoms out on the slow moving bumps & dips. I'll most likely end up mounting it on the lower half of the ladder.