Spare tire?

[LucyImHome]

Where do I put the spare, so it's out of my way? Right now, no big deal. I have a storage unit to put most of my stuff. But when I buy my vintage truck camper or build out my Hi-Liner Snugtop, in the next couple months, that space the spare takes will be an issue. It's bloody heavy, so not up top. Nor under. Seems weight & space would be a problem attaching to the back of a camper. If I go with building out the Snugtop, & stuck it on the tailgate, I wouldn't be able to lower/raise it, with that weight. What about the front of the truck? It's clearly not something I ever gave much thought to before. Now, yep. It's important.

 

[Guest]

I have in the past not kept a spare, Im a dually rear end and  have two spares I can use in an emergency to limp at slow speeds to get to a tire shop. Now that im running the 8r 19.5 tire I keep one rubber without rim with me as they are not in stock at most stores. The ones that have them are 400- 500 installed plus per tire vs 150 on Amazon.

 

[ontheroadagain]

I am also wondering what to do with my full size spare tire on my 97 dodge van.<br>I am trying to find some way to mount it on the rear door or on the front center.<br>Has anyone else done this with their van.

 

[LucyImHome]

Looks like the front is the most sensible. Here's what I've learned in response to my own question. Company called Hidden Hitch carries them for $120, not in my price range. With a cover, some say it'll raise radiator temp by about 10 degrees, some say it won't. This pic looks like the simplest idea.<img rel="lightbox" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/...Zt0kIjCE8g3PHpWQnGbRB4Uo4bL3qDwn5AhjkRlpCNvZX" class="bbc_img">

 

[Ziggy Moon]

Hey LucyImHome, there was some similar discussion on this in a previous thread... It had a few ideas I thought were cool.<br><br>Spare Tire Discussion - https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Spare-tire-on-door-6315669

 

[highdesertranger]

lucy in that pic, &nbsp;it's not going raise the cooling temp at all vw things don't have a radiator.&nbsp; they are air cooled.&nbsp; for everyone else the front is a good if mounted correctly and will not make the vehicle run hotter.&nbsp; the rear is also good.&nbsp; if you don't want it mounted to the body you could make a swing away off he bumper.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;There's a pic of my front mount setup on that 'spare tire' thread. Between that and my rear (underneath the gas tank) spare, I'm set for some heavy duty backwoods action. ..Willy.

 

[Zil]

Unless you are going serious back-country, no spare. Have 4 good tires on your truck, Carry a small tire air pump, a tubeless tire repair kit( and learn to use it), and a couple of cans of fix a flat. I have put MANY miles on numerous trucks, vans, and cars. For the time I have used steel belted tires(1975?-today) I have had 5 flats, only two on the road. and one of them I used VerizonWireless road service. I have drove from Atlantic to Pacific about nine times, all the flats were here at my home town area from my carelessness.

 

[LucyImHome]

Thanks ZiggyMoon for the link. The pic of the VW is a good example of what could be done. Basically a brush guard with tire mount. I have a '91 F150, not 4wd. I'm either going to build out the Hi top Snugtop or get a truck camper. Either way, it can't be inside or on the back. I live in my truck now, full time. So I'm trying to gain as much space as possible. Cost is a big factor, since if I had the money to do something snazzy, I probably wouldn't be living in my truck. Or would I? hmmmm &nbsp; &nbsp;I'm thinking I could perhaps find something at a wreck yard that could be modified to fit. Intriguing, the idea of going without a spare. Don't know if I'd want to risk it. It's like insurance. You don't need it until you need it! lol I had my tire slashed while at a music festival once, was grateful to have a spare then.<br>Willy, is your mount the hitch type? Hard to tell.&nbsp;

 

[creationode]

AAA Road Service is cheaper than a new good tire for a year and available across the entire continent.&nbsp; With the premier plan you get free gas up to 9 gallons, and 75 miles of towing.&nbsp; 4 times a year.<br><br>They will tow you to a local place, where you could wait until morning if they are closed.<br><br>They could tow you to Walmart.<br><br>It is amazing.

 

[LucyImHome]

Tow me to Walmart?! How cool, they'd tow me to where I live! LOL

 

[James AKA Lynx]

OnTheRoadAgain - I just mounted mine on the driverside (left) rear door. I have a thread in the Van section. Works good. I put on longer bolts. Cheep enough on Amazon.<br><br>https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Spare-tire-on-door-6315669<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;The F150 should have the bracket 'n stuff for stashing your spare underneath the rear gas tank. My front mount ISN'T the hitch type, being bolted to the bumper and having the top bolted to the body metal in front of the rad. I do have a front hitch, but that's for other stuff. I've seen the front bracket assemblies at wreckers, over the years, but they go quick (if not crushed up due to an accident). ..Willy.

 

[creationode]

Here is a really neat line of hitch-mounted tire racks.<br><br>I have a full sized spare with original wheel, and I will probably splurge eventually and put it on a hitch mount.<br><br>I rarely open the rear cargo doors, and only then to do some modifications.&nbsp; I would get a swing out-or-down hitch mount.<br><br><strong>http://www.tiregate.com/hg-series/</strong>

 

[mobilekev]

I just used 3 pieces of 1/2" line to tie my spare through the grill and to the vertical support in front of the radiator. Then put the cover on to make it pretty. <br><br>You might want to check it once in a blue moon to make sure the lines are okay but with 3 lines even if one chafed through the other two will hold it till you notice. And the cost is less than $5.00. <br>&nbsp;

 

[Ziggy Moon]

<span id="post_message_1278330052">I just used 3 pieces of 1/2" line to tie my spare through the grill and to the vertical support in front of the radiator</span>

<br><br>Jeez, mobilekev! <br><br>I'm not sure I would be brave enough to trust that kind of setup going full speed down the highway... that tire comes lose and drops under&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> - it would have the potential to literally flip your vehicle. <br><br>Just saying.

 

[LucyImHome]

I'm going to ask at the garage that rebuilt my engine if they can weld something together for me. I like the look and usefulness of a brush guard type affair. If they caan do some basic welding, maybe they could modify something I might find at a wreck yard. Willy, I'm not sure if there is a spot under since it has dual gas tanks. If there is a place, I don't think I could manage it by myself. I know it looked like a pita when the tow guy did it for my Rodeo. And this is a much heavier tire.&nbsp;

 

[Ballenxj]

Go to an off road parts store, they usually have all kinds of tire mounting options.<br> Sometimes they are a bit pricey, but at least you can get some ideas while there. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br>-Bruce

 

[Willy]

I too have dual gas tanks. My (previous) '90 F250 and my (current) '92 F250 have a stock spare tire carrier under the rear gas tank. It's basically a movable bracket with long bolt holding it near the drivers' side rear shock mount and another at the passengers' side rear near the bumper mount. &nbsp;&nbsp; http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/9627/sparecarrierpg4.gif&nbsp; If you're missing the bracket, you can go to a wrecker and pick one up.&nbsp; http://cdn.instructables.com/FOQ/4BLL/F82EXKQS/FOQ4BLLF82EXKQS.LARGE.jpg&nbsp; ..Willy.

 

[LucyImHome]

Well, I went to the garage, had them take a look. It is missing the bracket. They are going to call a couple wreck yards for me, see what kind of cost I'm looking at. I'd still rather have it on the front. I may have to put it off though. It's doing a new weird thing. A shaking in the front end kinda thing when I slow to under 5 mph, and starting out up to 5 mph as well. I can NOT have this truck crap out on me, since I live in it. Arg!!!