Does it give any support?

Does anyone know if the spare tire crossmember adds any support to the bed? If not, I'd really like to remove it and put an air tank or two there...

 

I think it gives some support to the bed structure since it is a crossmember

 

if you put another crossmember back under the bed i think you'd be fine, especially if you have a tow hitch.

 

One way to find out

 

...and record the results!

 

I will try it once I have the next 2 tanks!

Does this CM aid the hitch?

 

Just weld a stronger CM in to hold the tanks. No problem.

 

^^^ what ever you remove you gotta add back, the rear cm helps stiffin out the frame so you remove might add extra flex to the frame. If you could fab up some new crossbars you be good.

 

All right. Thanks!

 

The frame rails to the rear don't have a lot of support tying them together, compared to the front. It's important to keep them aligned, otherwise the rear axle will wander a bit as the frame flexes. The easiest way to see this effect is to take the rear bumper off and go drive around the block.

So, if you take off the rear tire support, you will definitely need to weld in a replacement. I would look to welding instead of bolting on, personally. Also, note that the tire carrier derives much of it's strength from the way it is cut and formed. Any replacement you design will have to be much larger to be as sturdy.

For my money, I'm just gonna work around the carrier - air tanks don't need to be that large. But I am very interested to see what you come up with.

 

Not as far as i know
i was a little confusing in my post, if you have the tow hitch the frame is tied together in the back, making the rear part of the frame more rigid than one without the hitch.