Radio Van Projects..Tire Rack

Radio Van project....The Tire Rack buildup
2001
Spare Tire Rack Sept 16 /Sep 24 - After spending almost an hour trying to get the spare tire out of its storage space, I decided my back would not put up with trying to get the spare back in it's original location. I want to install a rack for a generator there. I built a carrier on the rear similar to Jos Prinsen's rack. Mine folds down with the spare mounted. I started a mockup with some 2x2 lumber which was much easier to work with than the steel channel in the final product. The whole frame swings the tire up against the rear door. It works and that's what I was shooting for. I removed the ladder from the left rear. That door won't get much use anyway. I relocated the left wheel chock next to the right one. When I need the door open the carrier folds down. As it turned out, the most weight I have to lift is at the midway point in the arc of the holder. I tried it a few times and it works just fine. I'll post a drawing with dimensions.

There's a big hole left when you pull the spare tire Rearward view of big hole Beginning of wooden mockup

Clamping wood frame around spare tire Had to be careful here because the steel channel I used (Unistrut®)was about 1/8th inch wider than the 2x2 wood. Different view of wooden mockup clamped to steel angle. Steel angle now bolted to Radio box lip. Wooden mockup clamped to it and folding down

Wooden mockup folded completely down Wooden mockup clamped to steel support bars. Support bars are bolted to steel angle that is bolted to box edge. Other end of support leg is lag bolted to bottom of box floor with spacers. Ta Da! What was wood is now steel. Initial fitting of steel frame to tire and support arms.

Tire is about 1/2 inch from door. Turned out better than I expected. At this point I needed to add a few more welds and two braces to the frame support legs. Slightly lower view after I added lower support rod shown here without the electrical conduit. I added conduit when I made the two final support rods to allow the tire to "roll" sideways when pushing it into the frame. The frame pivots on grade 8 bolts. Temporary clamps hold it in position. Close up shot of pivot bolt (Grade 8). after the final welds were made. Octber 20, 2001 - I added more welding and two support rods of 1/2 inch threaded rod. These run thru a 1/2 inch electrical conduit, are then heated and bent. Each end is double bolted through the frame end legs. This stiffens the frame and allows up and down adjustment to compensate for minor changes in tire size - wear, inflation,etc. My spare is unused and fully inflated so the rods fit snugly against the tire. The 1/2 inch conduit rolls around the rod to make tire insertion easier.

Bungee cord was temporary holding tire to frame during ll be replaced with steel clamp. Later. I pulled one of the original tire mounts and bolted it to the door to use one of the "J" bolts to lock the tire to the door. Steps to mount and lift the tire,
(1) first place the spare on the arms of the frame, outside of wheel down.
(2) Lift edge of tire and rotate into frame. Try to align one bolt hole to the bottom for "J" locking bolt.
(3) Grab the conduit/rod support and begin to lift.
(4) The only weight is at the mid point and is only about half the tire weight.
(5) Continue to raise tire/frame into place.
(6) It's easier as you reach the top of the swing.
(7) Finally press tire against the door.
(8) Mine ended up about 1/2inch from the door and rests against a bracket that I left bolted to the door.
(9) Now just lock it in place. The weight of the tire holds it in the frame against the door and the lock insures it stays put.
Sunday evening Oct 20th, I painted the supports and frame gloss black. It took a few weeks of spare time but it was worth it. I made a separate page with some drawings and photos.

October 22 - Tire rack all painted and ready to go on truck supports. Tire rack mounted on truck supports. All ready for the spare tire. Project mostly complete. I want to add some rubber edging on the frame ends and corners for safety. **

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There's a big hole left when you pull the spare tire	Rearward view of big hole	Beginning of wooden mockup
Clamping wood frame around spare tire Had to be careful here because the steel channel I used (Unistrut®)was about 1/8th inch wider than the 2x2 wood.	Different view of wooden mockup clamped to steel angle.	Steel angle now bolted to Radio box lip. Wooden mockup clamped to it and folding down
Wooden mockup folded completely down	Wooden mockup clamped to steel support bars. Support bars are bolted to steel angle that is bolted to box edge. Other end of support leg is lag bolted to bottom of box floor with spacers.	Ta Da! What was wood is now steel. Initial fitting of steel frame to tire and support arms.
Tire is about 1/2 inch from door. Turned out better than I expected. At this point I needed to add a few more welds and two braces to the frame support legs.	Slightly lower view after I added lower support rod shown here without the electrical conduit. I added conduit when I made the two final support rods to allow the tire to "roll" sideways when pushing it into the frame. The frame pivots on grade 8 bolts. Temporary clamps hold it in position. Close up shot of pivot bolt (Grade 8). after the final welds were made.	Octber 20, 2001 - I added more welding and two support rods of 1/2 inch threaded rod. These run thru a 1/2 inch electrical conduit, are then heated and bent. Each end is double bolted through the frame end legs. This stiffens the frame and allows up and down adjustment to compensate for minor changes in tire size - wear, inflation,etc. My spare is unused and fully inflated so the rods fit snugly against the tire. The 1/2 inch conduit rolls around the rod to make tire insertion easier.
Bungee cord was temporary holding tire to frame during ll be replaced with steel clamp. Later. I pulled one of the original tire mounts and bolted it to the door to use one of the "J" bolts to lock the tire to the door.	Steps to mount and lift the tire, (1) first place the spare on the arms of the frame, outside of wheel down. (2) Lift edge of tire and rotate into frame. Try to align one bolt hole to the bottom for "J" locking bolt. (3) Grab the conduit/rod support and begin to lift. (4) The only weight is at the mid point and is only about half the tire weight. (5) Continue to raise tire/frame into place. (6) It's easier as you reach the top of the swing. (7) Finally press tire against the door. (8) Mine ended up about 1/2inch from the door and rests against a bracket that I left bolted to the door. (9) Now just lock it in place. The weight of the tire holds it in the frame against the door and the lock insures it stays put.	Sunday evening Oct 20th, I painted the supports and frame gloss black. It took a few weeks of spare time but it was worth it. I made a separate page with some drawings and photos.
October 22 - Tire rack all painted and ready to go on truck supports.	Tire rack mounted on truck supports. All ready for the spare tire. Project mostly complete. I want to add some rubber edging on the frame ends and corners for safety.	**
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