Spare tire carrier options

[GoPathyGo]

Ok, so this may be a dumb question. Couldn't find the type of answer I was looking for using the search. While certain aspects of the question have been addressed earlier, I haven't seen the whole thing put together in a thread...

 

I'm not a big fan of the spare location on my R50. Departure angle, weight (specially when I upsize the spare to match the others), not easy to access on trail, sitting in perfect spot to be beaten up by brush and rocks etc etc.

 

I'd like to skip the roof rack solution if I can. It'd end up raising the center of gravity, which won't be great with the tall & skinny-ish offroad-biased tires I plan to eventually put on(maybe 235/85 or 245/75 on 16s). This is now my only car, so it has to pull double-duty.

 

I believe the useful and cool tailgate rack is basically out. I saw a thread talking about Kennesaw Mountain's multi-carrier but it wasn't clear to me if that thing could be bolted onto R50s that came without the factory tail carrier offered briefly in the late 90s. The Pezzy custom bumper and carrier is out since I'd probably end up blowtorching a giant hole in my hand. Vengeful had a guy who then disappeared.

 

SOOOO.... That leaves the roof rack, inside the car (eats space and weighs rear) or some sort of hybrid tire seal approach (aka no spare). I looked at UltraSeal (which was developed to help Army vehicles survive bullet wounds on the battlefield) and Ride-On. Was also thinking about some combination of that and an off-the-shelf offroad-oriented tire repair kit such as SafetySeal.

 

http://www.ultraseal.com/Pages/prodInfoPages/prodInf.html

 

http://www.gemplers.com/product/G65511/Ult...lletproof-Grade

 

http://www.ride-on.com/

 

http://www.safetyseal.com/

 

This would also save on the cost of an extra wheel and spare.

 

Thoughts ? *Prepares to duck the "Doofus! Always have a spare!" comments*

[fleurys]

If you have a hitch, you might have this solution too...though costy... http://www.truckcandy.com/TC/TireGate/HitchGate.htm

[OldSlowReliable]

I know i don't have an r50, but ill give ya some advice anyways!

 

I am goin through this too, and i decided i want to look for TWO spares after i get 33's....Reason being, that goo stuff is great for fixing a flat that you run over a nail or something, but what happens when you completely shred your tire? or your on the trail and blow a bead?

 

You could look into having a new bumper tire carrier custom built if you have the $$, that seems like the best option as then you are upgrading your bumper AND a place for your spare

 

Otherwise you kinda ruled out all the options i can think of

[vengeful]

The KMA stuff is made to work without the factory gear. The swing-out for the tire is mounted on the bumper itself.

 

It's not a Pathfinder, but it's a good representation.

 

As for a Pezzy-Style one, you could find a local fabrication shop, there's a few in the DC Area that are good, and they can build you something like that. It'll cost you a bit, but it'll work, and be of nice quality.

 

Just a bit of a warning on KMA though...

 

Here's an example of their workmanship/quality. This is the mounting bracket for their front bumper.

 

 

And, as a contrast, here's the bracket for the TJM T-15.

 

 

See the two holes in the middle there? That's what KMA uses for their mounting.

 

I would have to presume their rear bumper is of the same quality. They have also had problems with QC, bumpers not fitting, welds not complete, etc. And numerous problems with shipping and fulfillment related issues.

[GoPathyGo]

Thanks guys. The tip on the KMA piece is very helpful. The only issue with using the trail hitch is that I may put the winch back there. The winch'll help balance the weight and level the car a bit if I have the same issues with the lift kits that others here have had... I'm gonna put the winch on a bit later.

 

Good point on the goo stuff. I have shredded tires in the past. Not pleasant! That's actually exactly why I like having the tire in an easily-accessible place.

 

Sounds like either front-mounting the winch or getting a custom piece fabbed is the way to go. Vengeful, could you PM me a few shops please ?

 

- GPG, who is getting more and more irritable at all his suspension pieces not being here yet!!!

[fleurys]

for the hitch one, you do not have to sacrifice the winch...it has a a Integrated 2" receiver allows towing (or anything else) while installed ..

 

just so you know..

[GoPathyGo]

for the hitch one, you do not have to sacrifice the winch...it has a a Integrated 2" receiver allows towing (or anything else) while installed ..

 

just so you know..

 

Yeah, thanks. Just don't know how much clearance/space will be left once the rear tire is mounted and not sure about the weight issues. Kinda want to see the winch installed before putting that on. Advantage of a custom fab would be I could have it set up so it was high enough and there was plenty of room and everything was clear and clean. But you're right, if, once installed, the winch isn't an issue then the KMA thing may be the way to go. (Off the shelf part. I'm very good at kicking and screaming when things don't work so may be able to get a refund or replacement if I don't like the quality. )

[Fukinitupagain]

For daily use I don't have a spare on my R50 anywhere but when I go on trips or offroading I just through it ontop of the riif rack. People talk about messing up the center of gravity but in all reality we can't really lift our rides high enough to worry too much about that. People also talk about having a tire up there kills your gas mileage, but I get 16 mpg whether I'm pulling a boat or I am loaded down with a bunch of crap or if I have nothing in my vehicle but me.

[GoPathyGo]

Thanks guys. I think I'm gonna end up going with a low-tech rear hitch carrier. Cheap and best! Will know for sure once the winch is installed etc etc.