Relocating spare wheel...

[Pops'hideout]

Im interested in moving the spare to the rear of my camper to make more toolbox room infront. Is there any solutions out tbeir. Also what is the ideal drawbar weight.

Mars vanguard hardfloor 2014 year model.?????

[robcaz]

Hi Ross,

The 10 to 15% rule of thumb ball weight of a fully loader trailer gives a safety net and some room for error, particularly when it comes to a camper trailer with weight shifting quantities. These weights can vary greatly, either forward or to the rear of the axle, as jerry cans of fuel and water are used, the water tank is emptied, firewood unloaded or food is consumed.

It is an advantage to take your camper to a public weighbridge at least once fully loaded before a trip so you know what it weighs & also the ball weight http://www.campertrailers.org/balancing_act.htm

I have a Towsafe Ball Weight Scale that I take to weekend meets so members can check their campers ball weight. You can check the ball weight at home using a set of bathroom scales. The coupling is at a third of the distance along the plank so times the figure by three will give you the full weight.



A 10R15 tyre on a steel rim weighs around 30kg, so depending on the sparewheels location on the Aframe it could be adding 20kg.

With your hardfloor camper the spare would have to be mounted on a swingaway arm off the chassis like this



The numberplate will then need to be mounted on the wheel to pass the new number plate visibility rules http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roa ... bility.pdf

The easiest way to mount the numberplate on the sparewheel is via a removable bracket
http://lgcdn.jeep4x4center.com/media/ca ... p_7698.jpg

You can buy a stub & bearing kit on ebay to make a swing away tyre carrier like this one http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/REAR-BAR-SWI ... 1026401254

[Pops'hideout]

Thanks. Some practical advise... so for a fully loaded camper at 1500kg i should have 150 to 225 kg on the ball.... as for the spare i may have to think on it a bit. It would be nice to get more toolbox room on the drawbar, but more toolboxes more weight on the drawbar.

Anyway thanks for the tips and the bathroom scales setup...

[robcaz]

Hi Ross,

When you start putting the upper ball weight on the rear of the vehicle with standard suspension you may find you will need to upgrade your leafs/coils with a heavier set or add air bags like those from Poly Air or Col Rite. The advantage of the bags is the air pressure can be lowered to around 4lb when not towing for a nice ride around town.

You need to watch what you place in an A frame mounted toolbox. Canned food, bbq plates, camp ovens, spade, axe, batteries, tools & spares can quickly add to the ball weight of the trailer plus there is usually also jerrys for water or fuel & gas bottles in holders too.