Jay. Did you consider making the mounting plate a little higher like Mud Pie just suggested. If you decide to sell these keep in mind that most people out there with hitches have the Curt hitch which has been noted, is very low. FWIW, I'd consider elongating the mounting plate a good 10-12 inches to compensate for the the low clearance Curt hitch and also bringing the top of the tire to just below of the license plate without blocking it. That's just what I'd do.
It's a great idea, very innovative and don't listen to the naysayers - everyone is entitled to an opinion though.
It's not a problem to have the tire in a higher position.
In fact, it could be adjustable to suite various hitch receiver heights.
Since hitch users maybe using the hitch for trailers, a trailer plug could be used as a power source for a licence plate light if wired appropriately.
I have been asked to build a few for some local Smart owners but haven't thought about going into a production run but it is something to think about.
However, I am not sure how many Smart owners have a hitch and would want a spare tire rack anyway. The cost is not small.
The receiver hitch, the wheel, tire, swing down spare tire rack and locking hitch pin would probably total up to about $400 to $500 when you include installation labor.
I welded up my own hitch and used about $90.00 worth of materials including powder coating. That includes no labor cost of course.
The swing down spare tire rack could be sold for maybe around $125 to $175 depending on the size of a production run.
If I have more requests, I will work up an accurate estimate for selling the swing down spare tire rack.
Thanks for all your comments and suggestions.
You all inspire me with new thoughts for making another prototype model.
Last edited by ExonicJay; 10-31-2009 at 08:52 AM.
Reason: added text
Good work Jay. You know you are one of my heroes. $90 for a hitch and spare tire rack......I'm all choked up. I can't build smart parts, I just spend too much money on them. I'm waiting for you to make yourself some bumpers so I'm not the only car in town that people try to pick up.
ExonicJay, You might want to check with your insurance carrier before you start selling your product. Even if you have an engineering degree, showed them stuctural reports and field tests, bla, bla, bla.
Insurance carriers get pretty skiddish about items that hang from vehicles.
Regards, BARNEY O.
Anybody remember the trunk I was carrying on TOTD trip,Prime example !
ExonicJay, You might want to check with your insurance carrier before you start selling your product. Even if you have an engineering degree, showed them stuctural reports and field tests, bla, bla, bla.
Insurance carriers get pretty skiddish about items that hang from vehicles.
Regards, BARNEY O.
Anybody remember the trunk I was carrying on TOTD trip,Prime example !
Good advice:
Not interested in intrurpting retirement with a law suite.
Wouldn't it be great if the US legal system had "loser Pays" like all other major countries?
The last time I checked, the US Congress was nearly half full of degreed lawyers.
Don't think the US Congress will turn their backs on their own kind any time soon.
How about a tire carrier that will bolt up to the existing drawbar using the same hole that the ball shank uses? An "L" shaped bracket at the bottom with a hole the same size as the hole for the ball, offset enough to still hook up a trailer and carry a spare tire at the same time.
How about a tire carrier that will bolt up to the existing drawbar using the same hole that the ball shank uses? An "L" shaped bracket at the bottom with a hole the same size as the hole for the ball, offset enough to still hook up a trailer and carry a spare tire at the same time.
That works.
However, access to the rear hatch would require a swing down feature.
My original design was a tilt back design but the bottom of the tire hit
the back of the Smart when swiveled from the center of the wheel.
I like all of the replied ideas you guys are offering up.
I think another prototype will be under way on Monday morning.
Thanks all.
Good work, EJ. Ignore the cranky posters. It would be cool to put a decorative cover on the spare, like a big radioactive symbol or a smiley face. Of course, the smiley face will probably push some road-rager over the edge somewhere in the U.S...
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Even if you have an engineering degree, showed them stuctural reports and field tests, bla, bla, bla. 
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