I have a spare tire mounted on front of Concourse. I would like to know if putting a cover on this spare would hurt my air flow and engine performance
Thanks
Spare tire cover on front of Chinook
Re: Spare tire cover on front of Chinook
I'm just curious where you get the cover from? Since I went to bigger tires/rims, the hard shell doesn't fit anymore.
Re: Spare tire cover on front of Chinook
I don't know for sure, but I do think that a covered tire in front of our rigs would be a bit of a problem--particularly in hot weather. I recall seeing semi-trucks with "zippered covers" over their grills in wintertime, and once asked a truck driver about it. He said that no one ever zipped it up completely, but being partially zipped when cold helped to keep temperature right in the cab itself. He did say that no one ever used them except for winter.
I have mounted our two bikes in front, and can report that there were no issues at all with engine temp or AC during our 9,000 mile trip from Boston to the Tetons and back. I like having the bikes up front...much easier to load and unload, and much less cluttered around the rear entrance than when I had them mounted over the "Continental Spare."
And I've thought about the issue of air flow with regard to carrying my new "Copenhagen Wheel" Electric Bike, but its solid mounting in the spokes of the rear wheel is much more of an issue for lights than air flow...so much so, that I have decided to carry the wheel inside the rig (stored during the day behind the couch), and just using quick-release hubs.
What is your reason for front mounting of the wheel?
David
I have mounted our two bikes in front, and can report that there were no issues at all with engine temp or AC during our 9,000 mile trip from Boston to the Tetons and back. I like having the bikes up front...much easier to load and unload, and much less cluttered around the rear entrance than when I had them mounted over the "Continental Spare."
And I've thought about the issue of air flow with regard to carrying my new "Copenhagen Wheel" Electric Bike, but its solid mounting in the spokes of the rear wheel is much more of an issue for lights than air flow...so much so, that I have decided to carry the wheel inside the rig (stored during the day behind the couch), and just using quick-release hubs.
What is your reason for front mounting of the wheel?
David
Re: Spare tire cover on front of Chinook
When I first moved my spare to the front, is was late spring in AZ, and as such the highs were around 100ºF. I started out by putting the continental cover on the front (this is the fiberglass cover with a silver ring that is on the tire stock from Chinook on the back).
I run a Scan Gauge II, so I can keep an eye on engine coolant and trans fluid temps.
I started up the freeway on a route that gains around 3000' feet of elevation over about twenty miles. I had the continental cover completely on. About half way up, I removed the white center part, so it was just the ring around the outside of the tire (which is basically like nothing). The rest of the way the temps were just the same. I'm not saying that there is no effect, but I didn't notice anything "noticeable" while watching the Scan Gauge.
However, I wasn't fond of the look of the continental cover on the front, so I went without any cover for awhile. Then a few months later I had a cover made. I went with a Phifterex type mesh material, just 'cause, and again I didn't notice much difference. Maybe air rushes around the outside of the tire anyway. Maybe the rim itself blocks some air anyway (even though it has holes). I just know that I didn't notice too much difference.
I like the look of the mesh cover, and I suppose some air does go through it.
If you have (or get) a Scan Gauge II or an Ultra Gauge, then you can monitor the numbers for yourself, if you have an interest. I like to keep an eye on engine temp, trans fluid temp, and alternator output (this type of gauge gives numbers in degrees, not just lights or general zones).
I run a Scan Gauge II, so I can keep an eye on engine coolant and trans fluid temps.
I started up the freeway on a route that gains around 3000' feet of elevation over about twenty miles. I had the continental cover completely on. About half way up, I removed the white center part, so it was just the ring around the outside of the tire (which is basically like nothing). The rest of the way the temps were just the same. I'm not saying that there is no effect, but I didn't notice anything "noticeable" while watching the Scan Gauge.
However, I wasn't fond of the look of the continental cover on the front, so I went without any cover for awhile. Then a few months later I had a cover made. I went with a Phifterex type mesh material, just 'cause, and again I didn't notice much difference. Maybe air rushes around the outside of the tire anyway. Maybe the rim itself blocks some air anyway (even though it has holes). I just know that I didn't notice too much difference.
I like the look of the mesh cover, and I suppose some air does go through it.
If you have (or get) a Scan Gauge II or an Ultra Gauge, then you can monitor the numbers for yourself, if you have an interest. I like to keep an eye on engine temp, trans fluid temp, and alternator output (this type of gauge gives numbers in degrees, not just lights or general zones).
1999 Concourse
Re: Spare tire cover on front of Chinook
Thanks Blue-Go for this information--helpful to me as I contemplate the mounting of my "Copenhagen Wheel" (electric motor and battery for bike that is integrated into spokes of rear bike wheel)...now, if I can only figure out how to solve the problem of it blocking one of the front lights.