Bumper Storage Compartment Question
I'm thinking of disposing of the spare tire currently in the front bumber bay and using it for storage. Someone said that it is a waste of time to carry the spare around becuase you can't change it yourself anyway and that whoever comes to change it (who DOES come by the way? Tow truck ?) would bring a wheel and tire with them. I'm not so sure about that. Would appreicate some opinions on this and also to know if there are some large wing handled bolts that might be used in place of the very large standard hex nuts in place now in order to more easily access the bumper bay storage. Or whatever other modifications you have made to access more easily.
Jeff
Bumper Storage Compartment
Winchester uses his to carry around raw meat, in fear that he may run out.
This is one of those deals that can be quite different from converter to converter. Our Vogue has a stainless steel interior with dampening springs, so that when you open it the heavy bumper doesn't break your feet. Some coaches, I believe a few CC, have an inside switch so that it will open without undoing the two big bolts.
The idea with the spare tire compartment is that if it is a seated coach, the driver can change a tire on site. I can't get away from the image of 50 passengers standing around whilst a driver wheels around a 250-pound tire or two!
Each conversion will likely be different. Oh, the bumper bolts should be the same size as the PCC-supplied wrench handle with your jack, if that's your system, so no other tool need be supplied. Here's a caution: If your bolts are chrome, careful when using the PCC handle as it will scratch said bolts. Good luck finding replacements. Probably only Lew's Tru-Value has them in stock.
Other converters have stuff in the spare tire compartment, using the space for a/c and possibly other wires and funny tubes and things.
Our stainless compartment is pretty water-tight, but not enough to carry donuts to bribe LEO's however.
Open 'er up and see what you've got to work with. It's a big space and it makes sense to be able to use the space for dead storage or 'C' inventory, but watch how much weight you put there. Remember you are some distance from the steer tires and really heavy weight is going to be a big lever.
If you don't have some sort of support mechanism when opening the bumper, one would be highly recommended because that sucker drops pretty fast when the bolts are loosened.
Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.