Alternative tire storage

[Michael Phipps]

I bought my new wheels and tires - Nitto trail grapplers in 35", 12.5" and I wasn't sure that the new tire would fit into the spare tire space. Turns out it won't. The trail grappler 35" is actually 36.6" according to custom offsets and when they tried replacing my spare it just wouldn't work. OK I am fine with that. BUT now I need an alternative to carry my spare!

I've considered hitch based spare tire carriers, but they always try to center them and it blocks the camera- which I literally use every day. Or a bed mounted carrier- but I have a decked system so mounting that would be hard. I also considered a side-bed solution but that would be challenging too as I'd need to drill into my bed side- something that doesn't enthuse me.

Before I decide on one of these solutions I wanted to ask if anyone else has seen anything that might work for me?

 

[rzr6-4]

As many different options as there are that mount to the floor of the bed, I would think you could find one that would be able to sit on top of your deck fairly easy, just have to put a couple holes in the top of it but they can still be sealed. That would likely be my go-to.

I have also seen frames that bridge from one bed rail over to the other but unless you are doing a dedicated off road build that seems a but excessive/obnoxious.

 

[Pastor Bob]

You could always mount it on the front. May be hard to see around though.

 

[Wire4money]

I’d mount whatever spare would fit and if I had a flat, put the spare on the front.

 

[Michael Phipps]

You could always mount it on the front. May be hard to see around though.

That looks kinda badass actually...

 

[Riccochet]

I’d mount whatever spare would fit and if I had a flat, put the spare on the front.

This is the way.

 

[Ramfanski]

I’d mount whatever spare would fit and if I had a flat, put the spare on the front.

Can’t drive in 4wd with different sizes of tires on the same axle.

 

[Atcer2018]

Can’t drive in 4wd with different sizes of tires on the same axle.

Well technically you can but he’ll be replacing more than a flat tire LOL

 

[Michael Phipps]

Yeah, I still have to OEM 33" spare tucked away, but I have another wheel and tire matching the set and I want to get it mounted somehow. Since I use the heck out of my backup camera I don't want to obscure that. I'm thinking that I'm going to get a frame mount kit for a trailer and adapt it to fit my headache rack. I'd much prefer losing my back window access than my cameras.

 

[suicideking]

I would deflate it until it fits, then make sure to keep a small air compressor with you.

Other options:
Keep a slightly smaller tire in the OEM location (34"?). Keep the full size spare at home. If you're going off roading, then throw the full size in the bed. Going to need to secure it, ratchet straps. You can buy a mount for the bed. I have one in one of my Jeeps that's made for a truck bed.

https://www.amazon.com/Carrier-Weld...-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

 

[Tulecreeper]

Can’t drive in 4wd with different sizes of tires on the same axle.

Well technically you can but he’ll be replacing more than a flat tire LOL

Yeah, that.

 

[stdyrln]

I built a Wilco hitch mounted spare carrier copy- Didn't rattle, but always having to swing it open to use the tail gate gets old in addition to it hanging on the back. I went the other route- anything over about a 35" gets fun to deal with due to weight. I can change a tire super quick and its easy to get at. If you like your decked system short of front mounting it all you can do is mount it on top and lose a bunch of bed space. Nobody wants to get a tire down from under the bed even in perfect conditions. I can still get a palette in and the tube set up protects the thin/ weak bed sides. What size bed do you have? maybe if your a long bed you can do the short bed decked and then a more simpler vertical mount for the tire. there's a couple of companies that sell different bolt on mounts, really all you need is some all thread and some simple hardware from home depot if you don't have the tools for proper amateur garage hackery.



All you can see with the tailgate up is the tire- and theirs no good way to hide a 37" without losing the whole bed when laid flat without going to a bed shell.

 

[Marshall]

Could you mount it under where the original spare , but under the frame, it would be 8"?? lower,
you would need more cross members, exhaust may be tight , but pipes are easy to move.
Back in the age of started step side truck, lots of spared bolted to the out side the box, with a cut out in rear fender, if you had a spare. These days with plastic cars, that front mount, while ugly, would make a good push bumper. would have to be mounted lower.

 

[JW2 Innovations]

I might get boo'd out for suggesting this, as this isn't an area I have experience/exposure to as I don't use my truck this way. But is a roof rack an option? May be "fun" getting a tire on/off up there (weight), but just thinking of area on truck that hasn't been mentioned. One I found from many options out there: LINK

 

[Marshall]

Until you tried to drive into your garage, same with the front mount, I could not close the door.

 

[JW2 Innovations]

Until you tried to drive into your garage, same with the front mount, I could not close the door.

Good point! My garage is fairly short in depth as well. And garage door height would be a no for me, but maybe has different options than mine?

 

[Hardracer]

34.1"or so doesn't fit under my 2010 model.