spare tire fried by exhaust

[NorthwestGuy]

A friend of mine told me today the tire shop took off the spare tire of his 2014 3500 Ram and showed him that the rubber had heated up and hardened in one spot nearest the exhaust. He is elderly and doesn't know if he has a heat shield but I know my 2018 does. Did the 2014s have that? and if they do....are there other cases of this happening even with the shield?

 

[sandawilliams]

My 2014 has the heat shield.

 

[SouthTexan]

Yes, mine does and I am even able to fit a 34" mud terrain spare with a 5 inch exhaust without frying the tire.

 

[Graygoose]

I plan on taking my shield off, I always forget until I get down there and bump my head on it.

My 35" spare is in the bed.

 

[JFV1134]

Another reason to delete your pickups. DPF regens are only temporary and they decrease the life of the pickup.