What do you put in your spare tire compartment if you don't have a spare?

[Tenor]

I've decided not to carry a spare tire and I'm trying to think of how to best use the space.  Being somewhat open to the weather, I'd like to hear what everyone else has done.  Thanks!

Glenn

[JackConrad]

Here is what we did with our spare tire compartment when we quit carrying a spare.  Front of tray is attached to the front bumper.  Jack

[luvrbus]

I have 2 Cursair air conditioning units in mine,if they were not there I like Jacks idea but it would be a hassle on the Eagle removing the 4 bolts each time.    good luck

[RJ]

Glenn -

I decided to carry a spare, even tho space is very limited on a 4106, because:

1) I don't have a tag axle I can chain up and "borrow" a tire off of.

2) I refuse to run a single wheel on the drive axle, unless both duals blow and I have no choice.

3) I don't have to worry about road service having to dig around and find the correct size tire before coming out to my coach, especially at Oh Dark Thirty in Cantua Creek.

3) The extra weight of the spare helps on the front axle of the lightweight aluminum coach.

4) The slight safety aspect of having something to help absorb the energy forces should (God forbid) there be a collision between my coach and something lower than the floorline.


But I like Jack's idea!


FWIW & HTH. . .

[Len Silva]

Great place to put the kids when they get whiny

[Tenor]

Jack - do you have a way to latch the tray closed?  Do you remember what weight ratings the slides are?  That's a really great idea.

Glenn

[junkman42]

Jack, could You please post a frontal picture, so I can see Your brush guards!  Did You build them Yourself or are they commercial items.  Regards, John

[HighTechRedneck]

John, those aren't brush guards.  They are a testimony to how nicely polished the stainless is.  The "bars" are the ribs and the apparent space behind the "bars" is the reflected view in the polished metal.

I thought the same thing for a moment.  Then I thought, "I don't remember brush guards on Jack's bus."  So I looked again and figured it out.

[busnut104]

I also carry a spare for the obvious reason and the safety issue to help a little if you hit something in the front. 

[gumpy]

I put my Mother-in-law in the spare tire compartment. It increases my fuel economy.
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.
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I get about 3 miles to the nag.   


That's not really true.  I have a wonderful Mother-in-Law.   

[Gary '79 5C]

Jack,

Again, you have just wonderfully clean coach including this storage bin. Have you many miles on this installation, as My spare tire is filty along with the driver's tool storage area after a trip, with dirt, rain, slop getting into this space.

I am going to have to start my spring cleaning to park a block from your bus at a rally. Any closer I would be embarrassed.

[junkman42]

High Tech, I couldn't remember seeing brush guards at Arcadia but jack is very profilic.  After looking again I can see what You are talking about!  I guess I will never have the ilusion because My stainless is never going to be that bright!  Thinking about that I am not that bright either. Oh well, thanks and best regards,John.

[John316]

This thread was worth it just for Jacks pics. He has one good looking coach!!!

God bless,

John

[JackConrad]

Jack - do you have a way to latch the tray closed?  Do you remember what weight ratings the slides are?  That's a really great idea.
Glenn

The slides are full extension slides rated for 500#. Here are couple photos showing the 2 latches that are under the bumper. These are the same latches that were used to keep the bumper closed when we still hauled a spare. We have used this for approx. 25,000 miles. I add add piece of SS angle that attaches across the front of the bus and has a foam lined lip the bumper seats against to help keep out rain & debris.  Jack



Here is a photo of the front with the tray closed and latched

[bobsw]

On my MCI 7 that is where the radiator for the Kabota generator is.