Bunkhouse Spare tire

[HarpoF6]

When I got the Bunkhouse last year, I was not able to get any good info whether I should get the spare tire mounted on the back or left inside for moto camping. Gambled and got the rack. Now Im wondering if I should take the rack off and put it inside the trailer? Any advice one way or another about this set up?

As much as I hate the current trend in camping of seeing people bringing all these electronic stuff camping (plasma tvs, electric coffee makers, generators, etc)... Im finding myself wondering if I need to give in and purchase a small AC for the AC duct on the bunkhouse. Last two camping experiences have been miserable due to heat and humidity. It was that possibility that I had in mind of storing the ac in the wheel well and putting the spare on the back of the bunkhouse. Please advise

[motomac]

The tire on the back will offset the weight of the A/C unit in the well. To be truthful, I never had to use my spare and started leaving it home for more storage!!!

[voyagerrider]

We have a 2000 Bunk House LX and we live in Texas. If we go camping anytime after April and before October our AC unit goes with us. When I have the AC i am using the dolly and the spare is mounted on it. That way I put the AC on cooler rack on the tongue of the Bunk House and the ice chest on the dolly. If I don't use the dolly and no AC the spare goes in the well inside the trailer. Some have said why carry a spare for the trailer when you don't have one for the bike, and I have done that also. With me it kind goes with how far I am going from home and what condition my trailer tire are. When I had the dolly built I used the same size and bolt pattern tire/wheel combo as the Bunk House.
We did go camping here recently out to east Texas one w/e(Memorial Day) and to Ft Davis(w/e after) one w/e where we didn't take the AC. But then we were using a tent.
Marty

[Gene McCall]

I am a little over 11,000 miles on a trip across the US, Canada, Alaska, back into Canada, west to east and then back into the US and home. Total trip could be 14,000+. I have a Lil Bunkhouse and one tire is showing signs of wear and I may have to use my spare. A good friend modified my trailer by building a custom mount for the spare under the portion of the tongue closest to the front of the tub. I had the rear mounted spare. In place of the spare there now is mounted a 7 gallon tour tank that has saved our bacon 4 times. BTW I am traveling on my ST1100 with a Hannigan sidecar and pulling the bunkhouse. My friend, Don Seedsman from Oz is with me and we split driving/riding in the car duties. Take my experience for what it is worth. It would appear to me that you would only need a spare on long trips, it would also depend on current wear on the trailer tires.

Gene McCall

PS: I plan to be home between August 22 & 25th, after leaving on June 7th. We have camped 98% of the time. The Bunkhouse is a great trailer!:cool:

[HarpoF6]

7 gallon tour tank mounted where the rear spare would have gone? Well be interested in seeing a pic when you get back!

[Gene McCall]

7 gallon tour tank mounted where the rear spare would have gone? Well be interested in seeing a pic when you get back!

When I get home I will post picturess to show the tank set up. However, if you will go to the ADVriders board there is a picture of my rig, showing the tank, on a thread that gives a trip report. I didn't even know anyone had taken a picture until a friend spotted it and cross-posted to a board called choppercharles.com
Gene McCall:cool:

[IR Harry]

I built a carrier for the spare. This is the one I built for the KwikKamp, but also built the same thing for friends Bunkhouse. Keeps the spare outside on the rear, put some LEDs in the top for a brake light, turn signals, and running lights. Just gave me a little more storage in the interior.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/hspencer942/MC%20Trailers/KwicKamp5.jpg

[bvail]

I'm pretty lucky I guess. Never had a flat on m/c or trailer, riding over 40 years and draggin trailers for 10 years. My take is I don't have a spare for my m/c so I never really worried about trailer, but it's not a bad idea to carry one for the trailer.

I put the Ride-On tire sealant in my m/c tires and also in my trailer tires. I also bring a compressor and plug kit (never used, but compressor is handy to adjust tire pressures).

There have been many times that an a/c would have been nice. Two things I pack is a decent electric fan and a small ceramic heater. On a long enough trip, both will probably be used. I doubt if I would like to listen to the hum of an a/c in a tent trailer. As far as electronic gizmos, no TV for me. I've brought along a small DVD player, but seems a waste of time. Takes away from the camping experience for me, but might be nice when 'trapped' in the camper due to inclement weather. I always bring a small radio along for company and a lamp to read with. A good book is more entertaining than a movie to me and lasts a lot longer.

[John T]

Hi guys, this is my first post as I have been lurking for some time.

I have been looking at the following AC:
http://www.hitechbuildingsystems.com/HVAC/index.php

In truth I don't want a AC, but if I want the wife with me I need to get one.

By the way, my Aspen Amassador shouild arrive mid next month.

[Mr. Guy]

Hi John T,

Welcome to the site.

As you can see from my avatar, I have no way to carry that on the bike, but that would be so "cool" to put in the tent for car camping with the family. Thanks for posting that.

Guy

[Tx White Knight]

Welcome John T

that is a pretty cool idea especially with a trailer :)

[BAGR]

I have an Aspen Sentry (no wheel well) and put my spare under the rear. I welded up a mount between frame rails. This helps lower the center of gravity and takes weight off of the tongue, which allows for more stuff in cooler. I pack a cooler aire w/me. I haven't really used it much. This days off I will be needing my little propane heater. I run a shower curtain between my bed/dressing area so I don't have to cool/heat the whole camper. Let me see if I have a picture of it on my laptop.

[Gene McCall]

I made a couple of posts to this thread while I was on the road this summer. The trip finished on August 21st after 15256 miles. One trailer tire is showing wear but not yet enough to replace it. I would not carry the extra weight on another trip, even one as long as this summer's. We were on the road for 76 days and camped out around 60 of those days. The Lil Bunkhouse performed well. One thing we did need and that was the transfer tank on the back of the trailer. We pumped from it to the ST 4 times when we simply could not find gas!
:usflag1:
Gene

[rbolton@satnow.net]

I just recently changed out the high pressure trailer tires for 12" car tires (Yokohama). I no longer carry a spare, just a mushroom plug kit and CO2 filler. I did this for two reasons. One, high pressure trailer tires disintegrate when they go flat, two, I get a wheel well to hold my window unit. An added plus is the smoother ride. To protect the condenser coil of the window unit I cover the back of the unit with a plastic 20oz bottle case that I use to prop up the A/C when in use.

[rbolton@satnow.net]

135/80-12 or 145/80-12 whatever is available. I ordered mine from somewhere in Shreveport. I'll try to find my receipt and let you know.
Robert

[harleynemo]

Just bought a Bunkhouse and have been trying to decide about the spare tire.... did you ever find where you bought your tire? You will have to pardon my tire illiteracy, but what tire is probably on my trailer now? Does it have a tube? and what exactly did you replace it with?

[George]

Linky no worky for me.

Hi guys, this is my first post as I have been lurking for some time.

I have been looking at the following AC:
http://www.hitechbuildingsystems.com/HVAC/index.php

In truth I don't want a AC, but if I want the wife with me I need to get one.

By the way, my Aspen Amassador shouild arrive mid next month.