Tire Gate Design - Suggestions???

[PWagon]

I have come up with my final two designs for my tire gate build. But, I cannot decide if I want my tire centered on my tailgate or offset to the side. Can you guys (and gals) help me decide? I currently have a 32" spare and one 5 gal jerry can I plan on mounting to this swing gate. I think center mounted might look better, but then it puts extra stress on the swing arm. Thoughts? Was the original spare tire carrier offset to the right?

 

[ktmoutfront]

What are you doing with the truck? DD doesn't matter. Wheeling it, I would use the shortest arms possible.

 

[PWagon]

Does anyone recall where exactly the spare was mounted when these trucks were new? I know they all came standard with the spare behind the back seat, but where all the exterior swing arms centered or offset? I want the spare placement to look somewhat original.

I plan on 50% on-road and 50% light off-road. I try to stay off rock climbing since I hate body damage. I mostly stay in mud, trails, and light stuff.

 

[Blue85]

How are you going to keep that tight in the receiver? You dont' want it sagging to one side and you don't want it rattling around. This would be helped if you kept the tire in the center because you could have it load the weight straight down into the hitch.

Use a draw-clamp or a threaded fastener to draw the swing arm in tight to the fixed part. Don't leave any play in the pivot/spindle or whatever or it will rattle and eventually crack.

Why do you want the pivot point way out at the end of the bumper? To aid in rigidity, put it just far enough over that when the arm is extended the tailgate just clears the tire.

 

[PWagon]

Yes, I know what you are talking about. I bought one of these j-pin locks, and they are designed to eliminate rattle from the receiver by tightening the nut in the photo below. You have to drill a hole in the side of your receiver for the point (tip of the "j") to apply pressure back to the inserted hitch part. I've used this on my bed extender and it works as described.

 

[runamok151]

I say mount the spare tire offset to the driver's side. It will cut down on any blind spots you would have on the passenger side.

 

[2INSANE]

I say mount the spare tire offset to the driver's side. It will cut down on any blind spots you would have on the passenger side.

^I agree if your using mostly on road. If off road, I think in the center is best incase you are about to roll, your tire could act as a bump or prevent it from going straight backwards.

 

[2INSANE]

^I agree if your using mostly on road. If off road, I think in the center is best incase you are about to roll, your tire could act as a bump or prevent it from going straight backwards.

Saved by the spare at 4:10

 

[dremu]

Do whatever you want. There was no original, GM-installed exterior carrier. All the exterior ones were aftermarket (though some were dealer-installed, they still only handled a stock sized tired.)

You might cut up a cardboard box to make a template of the tire, and try it on both sides/center/whatever, see what you find least annoying in terms of blind spots.

-- A

 

[ktmoutfront]

My aftermarket exterior mount was on the passenger side. You can have my holes if you want them.

 

[hillbilly deluxe]

You might cut up a cardboard box to make a template of the tire, and try it on both sides/center/whatever, see what you find least annoying in terms of blind spots.

Smart^^

 

[herkdriver007]

You can have my holes if you want them.

Quoted for eternity

 

[Blue85]

The problem with a DS mount is that it will swing into traffic if you need to open it along side the road. So if the tire is in the center, you probably want it to swing toward the PS.

Here's a couple of other nice features you might want to design in:
-A stop that prevents the tire from swinging too far and hitting the body. You never know what angle the rig will sit at when you need to open it or what kind of wind there will be.
-A stop that lets you lock the swing arm sort of "straight back" so the tailgate just clears it to open. This is handy in a parking lot so the car parked next to you can still get out or when you're in a garage with a wall next to the vehicle.

I used a front 1/2-ton hub for a pivot spindle because it is so strong. It also takes a standard locking hub to let the swing arm lock in any position. Depending on where your pivot point is, this may stick up too far, though.

 

[hillbilly deluxe]

I used a front 1/2-ton hub for a pivot spindle because it is so strong. It also takes a standard locking hub to let the swing arm lock in any position. Depending on where your pivot point is, this may stick up too far, though.

Dude that is an AWESOME idea. I daydreamed about using wheel bearings since they're heavy duty, but not about the whole spindle. I love that you can lock it an any position. I'm probably gonna copy your idea when I get to my bumper.