H3 rear tire rack

[HummBebe]

Well, I meant that that WAS my favorite rack, and I did want one....but then my H2O appeared....and now I don't need it. Sorry. But I did like it very much.

[f5fstop]

that is a nice looking rack. What's Amstar get for it....5K?

[CrisB]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

that is a nice looking rack. What's Amstar get for it....5K?

I'm not even gonna bother finding out, gotta be way overpriced.

[evldave]

If you are going to keep the spare tire, the only mounting points you have (other than hinges, which are pretty much impossible) will be the 4 bolts going into the door. Dillemma there is clearance to outside the tire (between tire and door), I was thinking 1/4 aluminum flat bar (I don't think 1/2" will fit), but that will flex under load unless the rack itself is resting on the tire, in which case you are gonna get hop off the tire when going over bumps. Maybe AL tubing, but that's gonna half to be tiny too and I don't know if it would help with the hopping off the tire (even with supports like in the picture). I never could figure out a mounting system I thought would hold up under offroad conditions.

Dillemma #2 (and yes, I know I'm spelling dillemma wrong, but I'm too lazy to check in word right now, of course I'm not too lazy to write this entire sentence, but screw it it's monday). Weight - I know that my current bike rack that mounts to the rear gate instead of the tire, holding two bikes approximately 16" off the back of the door at about the same height as the top of the tire DOES make the rear sheet metal flex a little when going over curbs, mall parking lots, rocks, etc. It hasn't caused any problems, but if you have a rack like that, and have the spare tire, and load it with a whole ton of weight (like I always do with every rack I have) I would actually start getting a little concerned. I think there are people w/a single jerry can mounted, but a nice looking rack like that just screams hi-lift, 2 jerry cans, fire extinguisher, and toolbox. And that means $600 for a near rear gate.

So I'm at a loss, and I've been trying to think of something since I bought it. If you come up with something that works, let me know, I'd love to try it out for ya!

[evldave]

Also, is it me or are the two metal plates at the bottom floor of that rack in the picutre not symetically placed in the floor? It looks like the left plate is closer to the side than the right plate. hmmm, go figure...

[CrisB]

It aint you, evldave...I noticed that too.

You bring up good point on the strength of the rear door, maybe I'll consider an additional mounting point at one of the spare tire lugs...but the whole idea was to make it so the tire comes off easy for any flats, without other tools. I can see if I make it too big & strong, it'll be heavy & hang hard on the door. And the way I weld stuff up, it won't be light.

I could maybe figure a way so it sits on the spare tire, but the tire will still come off & on without any trouble...

[CrisB]

Not too hard to make, nice & sturdy, just what I needed! If you want something done right, do it yourself.