Spare tire, location preference

[klahanie]

^ front would be nice but I think cooling might be a prob with a contemporary truck, IDK. and reduced visibility for a short guy like me :-{

Just to add for the thread, a skinny guy mount :

and what I'd like if had side entry camper, but put the tire(s) at the corner and have more of an open end tray so the spare could be rolled off with a ramp (traction board?). Simple and manageable for most anyone. I've seen tilt down carriers also but like the ramp idea, tho guess it would depend on height.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

I’ve owned a HitchGate and it was indeed a good product. And, as mentioned, it was a bit of an inconvenience to have to swing it open every time you wanted to access the truck bed. But the #1 reason I went back to using the stock location is...the weight of the wheel/tire combo. Dead lifting it up to the hitch, trying to get the mounting holes lined up with the studs, and then starting the wheel nut all while balancing a wobbly 70 lb. wheel/tire...it gets old real quickly. If you could mount a hand winch above the HitchGate, similar to ntsqd’s set-up, you’d get my attention. I’d still use the stock location but an additional spare could be located on the HitchGate.

 

[Wallowa]

Wow...as usually this topic fires up the responses...here is my 2 cents..

#1 Keep weight near CG and low...not hanging off either end...not really a "350 vs 150" truck size but balance or "polar moment' [loved that]...we have 6 ply tires and will soon switch to 10 ply...will put one of used 6 ply [lots of tread] up under the Tundra in OEM spare hanger...

#2 Valid assumption that we all use tubeless tires...therefore carry a plug kit, a good air compressor [Viair] and as a backup several large cans of compressed gas sealant fluid..oh, learn how to plug a tire before you have to...remember plug kits need to be rotated as they can dry out..

#3 Yes, 2=1 and 1=0 but for most of us two spares is just not in the cards..at some point we have to say enough is enough...no more weight or room available...that is why I like the suggested use of a tube and or tube/boot combo [will add a couple of boots to my off road motorcycle kits]...simple, light weight, low volume and will definitely be your "get out of jail free card" if you need a second spare but don't have one...rotate tubes, not expensive, and know that a torn sidewall may be beyond repair with a boot...but as Chris Scott suggests, you can literally sew the sidewall and then use boot ...whole different level of repair!

Self-sufficiency is mandatory for off road adventures and when travelling solo..but to a degree we are never completely self-sufficient.

Good discussion...thanks all.

Phil

 

[Vic Harder]

I think I need to beef up my repair kit to include gear for sidewall rips. I found these two links useful:

http://www.jonfund.com/technical/sidewall.shtml

https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/general-4x4-discussion/326621-emergency-sidewall-repair.html

 

[ntsqd]

I don't recall the details, but when Joaquin Suave built Suntinez's rear bumper (the one on the Tiger above) there was a reason that the tire had to be centered. As I recall the original idea was for it to be offset to one side or the other.