Taking a road trip - any ideas or recommendations?

[bill1013]

making sure the spare tire is accessible and good is crucial. My spare tire wouldn't come down and the manual says take the jack and push up on the spare to get the release mechanism to release. Mine wouldn't and I had to use Fix-a-Flat, which screwed up the sensor. When I got home I got a 12 ton hydraulic bottle jack and literally lifted the rear end (tires) 3 inches off the ground before it released. What a pain in the okole that was and still is. I still haven't found a place to purchase a new spare tire tower. And if I do is there a chance that it won't work right too! Anyone else have this problem.

And the cooler is an excellent idea. Stopping for drinks is always a very long process, unless you have everyone stay in the car and you run in a get them, but really...what are the chances of that happening. the kids get out, they run around and it takes forever to round them up.

 

[Derick]

making sure the spare tire is accessible and good is crucial. My spare tire wouldn't come down and the manual says take the jack and push up on the spare to get the release mechanism to release. Mine wouldn't and I had to use Fix-a-Flat, which screwed up the sensor. When I got home I got a 12 ton hydraulic bottle jack and literally lifted the rear end (tires) 3 inches off the ground before it released. What a pain in the okole that was and still is. I still haven't found a place to purchase a new spare tire tower. And if I do is there a chance that it won't work right too! Anyone else have this problem.

And the cooler is an excellent idea. Stopping for drinks is always a very long process, unless you have everyone stay in the car and you run in a get them, but really...what are the chances of that happening. the kids get out, they run around and it takes forever to round them up.

46 bucks at rock auto or Amazon and these aftermarket units don't have that 'safety feature'. I replaced mine a few months ago. As long as you can get the spare out... It's a 5 minute job. Drench it in fluid film before and after install.

 

[Tonyrodz]

46 bucks at rock auto or Amazon and these aftermarket units don't have that 'safety feature'. I replaced mine a few months ago. As long as you can get the spare out... It's a 5 minute job. Drench it in fluid film before and after install.

Using the jack to push up the spare method never works. I had to unbolt the entire assembly--the spare was still attached--and I had to bent up that arm that's on that safety feature, just to get everything apart. It sucked.

 

[Larryjb]

How old are your coolant "T"s?

 

[bill1013]

Using the jack to push up the spare method never works. I had to unbolt the entire assembly--the spare was still attached--and I had to bent up that arm that's on that safety feature, just to get everything apart. It sucked.View attachment 253542 View attachment 253543 View attachment 253544 View attachment 253545

So did you replace the unit? Or ar you driving without a spare? Like I am...

 

[Tonyrodz]

So did you replace the unit? Or ar you driving without a spare? Like I am...

Neither, I just pried out that arm on the lower mechanism
Which released the other arm. It was gtg after that. I still have my spare, although I did this 3-4 yrs ago. I've never needed the spare since I did this.

 

[Danny3737]

If your near VA Beach/Suffolk area, I have a Stowaway2 Max hitch carrier for sale for $225. It’s like new, only used twice. Comes with the locking hitch pin, adapter plug, and hitch tightener. It has the optional luggage rack installed. To buy new with everything I have would run over $900

 

[2010gmcyukon]

making sure the spare tire is accessible and good is crucial. My spare tire wouldn't come down and the manual says take the jack and push up on the spare to get the release mechanism to release. Mine wouldn't and I had to use Fix-a-Flat, which screwed up the sensor. When I got home I got a 12 ton hydraulic bottle jack and literally lifted the rear end (tires) 3 inches off the ground before it released. What a pain in the okole that was and still is. I still haven't found a place to purchase a new spare tire tower. And if I do is there a chance that it won't work right too! Anyone else have this problem.

And the cooler is an excellent idea. Stopping for drinks is always a very long process, unless you have everyone stay in the car and you run in a get them, but really...what are the chances of that happening. the kids get out, they run around and it takes forever to round them up.

Good call on the spare. I pulled it down today and looked it over. Thankfully the mechanism works well, but the tire is the original with a date code of 2009. I'm replacing it this week.

 

[2010gmcyukon]

How old are your coolant "T"s?

Good question, I'll have to take a look.

 

[2010gmcyukon]

If your near VA Beach/Suffolk area, I have a Stowaway2 Max hitch carrier for sale for $225. It’s like new, only used twice. Comes with the locking hitch pin, adapter plug, and hitch tightener. It has the optional luggage rack installed. To buy new with everything I have would run over $900

Its a nice carrier, but a bit big for my needs. Good luck selling it!