Where to carry the spare?

[modelbuilder]

I bought my roof rack to fit my spare because the slot on the underside of the Jeep was too small to fit my oversized tire.

I figured out that if I remove my tow hitch I can fit the spare. I can also install a two hook as well.

For purposes of off roading and traction should I carry my spare in the back underside or on top of the car?

Will it even make a difference?

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4sEIajwstjQ/SeKdEObOldI/AAAAAAAADqQ/M5EZUgRToe0/s640/Cleaned%20Grand%20002.jpg

[off-roader]

I'd keep it as low as possible. On the roof you're throwing off the center of gravity... alot. IMHO the best spot is on the rear door (mine allows this) or an aftermarket bumper w/ a swing out spare tire mount.

Those would be my 2 choices. The roof would be my last choice.:ylsmoke:

[modelbuilder]

Thanks,

If I put my spare below I could fit most of my equipment on the rack and the rack weight would still be less than the tire.

Now I can sleep in the back of my Jeep.

[JIMBO]

:sombrero:For any off-road vehicle, the rear tire carrier is the BEST, swingaway or drop down

Murphy's law says that, should you need the spare (underneath), there will be ONE ROCK, in the way for removal

Murphy's law says that when you need the spare and it's on top, while you STRUGGLE TO GET IT DOWN, YOUR FOOT SLIPS ON A MUDDY ROCK AND THE TIRE ROLLS AWAY, DOWN A 3800 FT CANYON !!

Get a swingaway spare carrier

:victory::wings::safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO

[modelbuilder]

Thanks for the advice guys...I really just want to know if the only two options are on top or under....which is best for traction when off roading.

Does it even make a difference?









.

[JIMBO]

:bike_rider: I just gave you the third option


[QUOTE=modelbuilder;387152]Thanks for the advice guys...I really just want to know if the only two options are on top or under....which is best for traction when off roading.

Does it even make a difference?

None have any effect on traction

:snorkel::safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO

[CA-RJ]

I used to carry my spare tire on my roof rack. It was the only way to fit a 33" fully inflated spare tire. I took the rack off and had to shove the tire in the spare area without air though. I have rockcrawled my 4Runner with the rack and tire on the roof and without and didn't really notice a difference. I will say that it is a bear to get the tire off the rack and onto the ground safely by yourself. If you're on the side of the road and attempting to pull the tire down it can easily get away from you and bounce off into traffic.

I'm putting my rack back on the 4Runner and will more than likely put the spare tire back up top.

http://pics.montypics.com/rjhodges11/2009-05-01/1241234692_2408309085_21a250b2fe.jpg

[xx.xii]

i keep mine on the roof rack till i buy a swing away or make a swing away cuz lifting up and bringing down 37'' tires is not my idea of user friendly lol but it would be best lower for reasons of ease,i wouldnt say as much about it throwing off your center of gravity cuz its not using up the entire width and legnth of your roof nor is your tire going to be three or four feet tall when installed on your rack lol

[shogun]

This is a simple one, you have three options;

1. Underneath, I assume means under the rear of the vehicle. Thats silly because the chances of having difficulty accessing it are high. Kinda like a glock "safety". Why would put a "safety" on the trigger and why would you put your spare tire underneath the vehicle?

2. On top of the roof, poor aero, negatively affects CG, and problematic access (especially for females or injured), but looks cool.

3. Rear bumper, either purchase or have one made to your spec. Great aero, good access depending on weight, costs $.

The answer seems clear to me, 2.

[adventureduo]

Do both :D

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9833/img0944lh2.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/5530/cimg3090copygs8.jpg

[JamesDowning]

I've been quite pleased with mine from CBI off road fab. They custom build them to fit your specific vehicle.

It's kinda a 4th option, because it's much cheaper than a custom rear bumper, yet offers some of the same benefits. Plus, you are still able to have a rear recovery shackle!

http://www.thedownings.us/images/tb/spare/1.jpg

[CA-RJ]

I was thinking about a hitch mounted carrier, but once you get one, you can't tow anything.

[JamesDowning]

I was thinking about a hitch mounted carrier, but once you get one, you can't tow anything.

The CBI version actually does allow you to tow, albeit not to the full rated tongue weight of the hitch due to the increased lever arm.

My shackle is on a receiver mounted bracket:

http://www.thedownings.us/images/tb/spare/2.jpg

[CA-RJ]

Ah ha, I stand corrected.

[modelbuilder]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Looks like I will put my spare inside the car. I can put my larger camping equipment (stove, tent, 2 gas tanks, other fluids, and tools) on the roof rack. Inside I will have my spare, cooler, sleeping bag/clothes, and firewood.

I would love a rear carrier but I don't want to add more weight to the car. I also don't want to carry it below...what happens if my tire shreds in mud? What if a rock is blocking access?

[BlueBomber]

Inside is ok, at least its free and dosent hurt your aero. make sure its secure! a spare will cause some serious hurt in the event of a crash or roll over.

[BlueBomber]

I've been quite pleased with mine from CBI off road fab. They custom build them to fit your specific vehicle.


http://www.thedownings.us/images/tb/spare/1.jpg

thats one cool looking tire carrier!

[rickc]

The mechanical stresses on that hitch mounted tire carrier must be extreme. It will be interesting to see how much side-side/front-back play develops over time.

[CA-RJ]

If you put your spare inside, your interior will smell like rubber. Over time, the smell might get pretty bad.

[off-roader]

If you put your spare inside, your interior will smell like rubber. Over time, the smell might get pretty bad.

A lot of vehicles came with spares mounted on the inside. I'd suggest putting it inside a plastic tire bag if the smell bothers you. You can get one from most tire shops.:ylsmoke:

[jesusgatos]

The mechanical stresses on that hitch mounted tire carrier must be extreme. It will be interesting to see how much side-side/front-back play develops over time.
It's not going to be an issue if that hitch carrier is well-made. Much stronger than most bumper-mounted swingaway carriers. I think that's one of the better ways to carry a rear-mounted spare tire. The only thing I don't like about receiver hitches is the slop/wiggle, and that's easy enough to fix.

[XXXpedition]

Murphy's law says that, should you need the spare (underneath), there will be ONE ROCK, in the way for removal
murphy's law says that this rock punctured the tire... :elkgrin:

[modelbuilder]

A lot of vehicles came with spares mounted on the inside. I'd suggest putting it inside a plastic tire bag if the smell bothers you. You can get one from most tire shops.:ylsmoke:

Thanks!!! I will do that.

[JamesDowning]

It's not going to be an issue if that hitch carrier is well-made. Much stronger than most bumper-mounted swingaway carriers. I think that's one of the better ways to carry a rear-mounted spare tire. The only thing I don't like about receiver hitches is the slop/wiggle, and that's easy enough to fix.

CBI's version fixes wiggle/slop in two ways.

The main hitch pin hole is threaded, and so instead of a hitch pin, a grade 8 bolt is bolted in to tighten that connection.

The cross shaped hand-bolt tightens the slop in the arm.

http://www.thedownings.us/images/tb/spare/2.jpg

[baca327]

How much was that CBI spare swing away?

[JamesDowning]

If I recall correctly it was somewhere around $350 shipped.

[DaveInDenver]

I would love a rear carrier but I don't want to add more weight to the car. I also don't want to carry it below...what happens if my tire shreds in mud? What if a rock is blocking access?
I've always had my spare in the stock location, under the rear of the bed of my pickup. A 33" tire is all that will fit and if you stick to 9.50 or 10.50 wide tires it does not hang down too badly. It gets dirty, that's for sure. And checking the pressure (you do check the spare pressure when you check the 4 road-sides, right?) is sorta inconvenient. But it's never really been an issue gaining access or dragging it. And it's not for a lack of giving harder trails a try. Did the Rubicon with it there, for example. I don't recommend putting it there on a dedicated crawler, you are tempting fate. But for normal off highway travel and occasional rocks, I think it's an acceptable risk.