Spare Tire Rack Modification
I decided to modify the spare tire holder on our 2720sl after a wrestling match to remove the tire for balancing and after seeing the holder's indentations in the tire's side wall. Apparently, some members' spare tires have been permanently damaged by the supporting framework after long term storage in the rack. I read about the modification sometime back in a post from another member. I'm not sure if what I did exactly conforms to the original recommendations. I'm attaching some photos of the simple modification. I used two, 3 x 3 inch steel plates that were 1/8 inch thick to increase the length of the rack's vertical metal supports by 9/16 inch (on only the curb side). I chose to drill the holes BEFORE cutting the vertical supports. Just be sure you allow for the gap you wish to produce before aligning and drilling your holes. If I had it to do over again I would have produced an 11/16 inch gap. There was still a slight compression of the sidewall when I remounted the rack. It was not enough to do damage -- but it still offered some resistance to remounting. I really can't imagine why the factory doesn't make the modification. The bars' compression on a fully inflated tire's sidewall is unnecessary.
I used 5/16 inch, stainless steel bolts with both lock washers and castle nuts. I didn't want anything to vibrate loose over time. Of course, I painted the raw metal pieces before I mounted them in place.
Oh, one of my three tires required quite a few weights to provide proper balancing. Now I've installed mud flaps, balanced the tires, modified the spare tire rack, and done a thorough inspection of the tires. We're ready for more summer adventures. Wish and yours -- safe and memorable TM moments.
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