Spare tire

[KenS]

I have an E19. Why is the spare tire off center?

[JohnK]

KenS I've wondered the same about our E21C and thought about various possibilities. The hitch receiver however is centered, so perhaps the spare tire is offset to increase clearance from the tire to whatever might be applied to the hitch. Or, might it be to offset the weight of the fresh water tank favoring the street side? Doubtful. Bottom line is, I don't know but it would be an interesting Escape factoid wouldn't it.
John

[cpaharley2008]

All of the current Escape models have an offset rear set up for the spare....why is unknown to me.

[Donna D.]

It's offset on my 2014 5.0TA. I'm trying to remember if I've ever seen it centered on any Escape trailer...

[DanandDaphne]

I've read that it is for balancing weight, as there is more weight on the driver's side with more cabinetry the refrigerator, water heater, black tank, etc.

It also looks to me like it's a stronger mounting position being the bracket is mounted on the trailer frame instead of the center of the bumper.

[Reid Larsen]

Perhaps to clear the bike rack mount in the rear frame/ bumper which is centered.

[GPS]

Its centered on my 17a

[lonewolfjb]

Our 2017 19 spare is dead center.

[Charliej]

Perhaps it’s the same guy that has been installing the adapter to the gray water waste line. A little cross threading and hand tight is good enough. Well that spare tire looks almost centered. Close enough. Maybe he’s just a little cockeyed.

[skiman]

When I put my 1-Up bike rack on, you can rotate the bike pedals to clear the tire and have the bikes closer to the trailer. Don't know if that is by design. The license plate is on the other side from the tire, but I think that would still be in view if the tire was centered. Perhaps a mystery of the universe yet to be solved?

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by Charliej

Perhaps it’s the same guy that has been installing the adapter to the gray water waste line. A little cross threading and hand tight is good enough. Well that spare tire looks almost centered. Close enough. Maybe he’s just a little cockeyed.

Give a man a drill, without a level.................

[David Hendrickson]

Originally Posted by JohnK

KenS I've wondered the same about our E21C and thought about various possibilities. The hitch receiver however is centered, so perhaps the spare tire is offset to increase clearance from the tire to whatever might be applied to the hitch. Or, might it be to offset the weight of the fresh water tank favoring the street side? Doubtful. Bottom line is, I don't know but it would be an interesting Escape factoid wouldn't it.
John

Hey John I believe it is offset for better visibility for the license plate.

[curru]

The spare tire bracket is bolted to the bumper, with one of the two bolts going through the bumper. If that bracket were centered, as the hitch is, it would protrude into the hitch receiver. At least that's how it is on my 2017 19'.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by curru

The spare tire bracket is bolted to the bumper, with one of the two bolts going through the bumper. If that bracket were centered, as the hitch is, it would protrude into the hitch receiver. At least that's how it is on my 2017 19'.

And the winner is......Post 13

Yes, the spare tire bottom bracket is a bolt through the bumper. At least it was on my 19 and is on my 21.

Ron

[dfandrews]

On my 2015 E17A, the spare tire post was offset to the left, and the reasons given by Reace's staff at the time were that (1) the offset is to more nearer equalize the side-to-side weight of the trailer, and (2) to allow unfettered access if you chose a larger size battery (and battery box) on the right rear bumper.
Later on, I added a second battery box for the left rear bumper, and so, re-installed the spare tire at the center. There is an existing centered square tube steel member that I bolted thru-bolts through, that did not interfere with the 2" receiver below.
Though: Now, to remove the battery from either box, I have to remove the spare tire due to interference.
So, the short answer is weight balance!

[Eggscape]

The weight to the curb side makes sense on our 19 as the drivers side has much of the appliances. Not that it is offset that much.

The vertical for the tire carrier is bolted to the bracket which is welded to the inside it of the bumper.

Having the tire a bit offset does allow better access to the hitch pin and may allow some more bike pedal room.

However if the bracket was welded directly over the hitch in the center it would have benefited both the hitch and bracket in strength.

It was easy to take the picture as I don’t carry my spare on the rear.

[cpaharley2008]

While we are discussing spares, check your tow vehicle spare, mine was a temporary which is inadequate for towing. I had to purchase a full sized wheel and tire and carry that as my spare. Check yours.....

[mfschu]

I'd also recommend checking the 2 bolts that hold the spare tire bracket to the bumper. Mine were loose and 1 of the bolts was broken. They were just the common grade of steel bolt. I replaced them both with slightly larger diameter and a stronger grade of bolt. There's a lot of torque on those 2 bolts with the spare tire bouncing around.

[JohnK]

Jim, anyone driving roads I drive when not towing would know beyond the shadow of a doubt whether or not they had a spare tire adequate for towing. As the old saying goes: “ out here the farmers sharpen the stones on these roads”.

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

While we are discussing spares, check your tow vehicle spare, mine was a temporary which is inadequate for towing. I had to purchase a full sized wheel and tire and carry that as my spare. Check yours.....

Also- if you buy new tires and they save the best of the originals to mount on your spare be sure the don't over torque. When trying to remove for detailing trailer I found it impossible to remove lugs. Had to buy a 48" piece of pipe to be a breaker bar on my breaker bar!