[VAC] spare tire holder-

["Mike Conner" <Mconner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for your advice Bill-
I almost bought a rear bumper mount but I was curious if it would have an 
effect -my trailer has been repaired for frame separation.  This occurred 
before I owned it- I know it happened because of the aluminum "cut-outs" 
above my frame @ the back bumper.  The last owner told me he took it to 
Airstream to have "something"  repaired- the repair does have the proper 
rivets and there is no longer any sign of separation therefore I believe 
him.  
Here's my dilemma.  I bought the 69 Trade Wind under the impression that the 
tongue weight was 490lbs and the overall weight was 4340lbs- I was told this 
by the very nice people at Airstream.  This was w/in my truck's towing 
limits.  No modifications have been made to the trailer- when installing a 
load equalizing hitch and sway bars I measures the dry tongue wt (using the 
lever method) and it came to 645!  Now I'm pushing my '97 Toyota T100's 
limits for tongue wt.. I haven't been able to get it to a scale yet (I'm 
waiting for the heavier spring bars to arrive) to see what the total dry 
weight is but I hope it will not get too close or exceed my truck's 5200lb. 
limit.   
By putting the tire on the back bumper I was hoping that it would lighten 
the tongue load while staying inside the recommenced 12-15%.  Any 
suggestions/panacea for my situation?  Anyone else know their weights for 
the same trailer?  THANKS_


Mike Conner
Wildlife Resource Specialist
City of Davis
(530)757-5686