Alterative spare tire storage

[Skippy]

As someone who seems to get a flat every 6 months I really want a full size spare. But I genuinely hate the idea of having to mount a spare tire on a bumper mount, on a pickup... I'm thinking about utilizing the pickup roof rack to mount the spare, thus leaving the bed free for all the pickup stuff.

Anybody else have some ideas on where to store the spare(tire)?

P.S. I'm also tempted to fabricobble something like this. (Yes, the trunk access would be highly annoying)

 

[FunkyFinch57]

My biggest concern with any of these options is aerodynamics. We have seen it proven by Aging Wheels that aerodynamics plays a huge role
In EV efficiency. I am hesitant to even consider adding side steps, a roof rack, etc, and risk losing 20-50 miles of range at highway speeds (which is a majority of my driving). I was considering getting a Back Rack and an attachment that would allow me to vertically store a spare, full size or donut, in the bed. Less bed space taken, but without the same loss of range.

 

[swami37]

As someone who seems to get a flat every 6 months I really want a full size spare. But I genuinely hate the idea of having to mount a spare tire on a bumper mount, on a pickup... I'm thinking about utilizing the pickup roof rack to mount the spare, thus leaving the bed free for all the pickup stuff.

Anybody else have some ideas on where to store the spare(tire)?

P.S. I'm also tempted to fabricobble something like this. (Yes, the trunk access would be highly annoying)

Put it in the Frunk

 

[metroshot]

I never worry about flats as all my cars in the household have run flats (RFT).

#1 reason: safety.

Ask me about an encounter on the side of a highway when I had to pull over for a flat and changed my entire picture of reality....

 

[dragondroptv]

I'm planning to 3D print a storage system similar to this for my Slate. My idea is to make the dividers adjustable, so the orange partitions can slide left or right (or be removed entirely) depending on what I'm hauling.

I'll also be printing a top that sits flush with the top of the wheel wells, creating a small but completely flat cargo area. The idea is to keep the storage compartments underneath while giving me a level surface for hauling larger items when needed.

I'm thinking of making the top modular as well, so sections can be removed for quick access to the storage below without taking the whole thing apart.

 

[ClayJar]

For my Slate, I think I'll be content with the tailgate obstructing but swing-away spare carrier. I expect to have some annoyance when I'm going to pick up full sheets of plywood, but I figure it would be fine enough in general daily use. If the whole swing-away arm can be popped out when I don't want it there, that'd be ideal.

On my little Mazda 3 hatchback, I have a doughnut, but I wanted to mount a full-size spare for road trips. Our road trips are usually 8-12 hours of straight overnight driving with only gas-and-go stops, getting us to a trailhead with enough time to hike all day to get to wherever we plan to sleep, so a doughnut is not a valid first backup.

The ideal way to carry a full-size spare turned out to be building a tray that mounts to my roof rack crossbars and sits down low just above the roof. The spare then gets strapped to the tray and is halfway submerged below the top of the rack and fairing. It's not aerodynamic perfection, but it's as optimal as I could make it.

The crossbar in the middle on the Slate "cab rack system" looks like it would probably preclude getting a spare mount any lower than the top of the bars. On the other hand, it looks like the crossbar might be connected to the perimeter rail T-nut style, which could potentially give just enough space for a spare on a tray.

 

[Matrix Girl]

Put it in the Frunk

You beat me to it! I have been puzzling over the same thing and wondering if a 40-mile spare and jack/etc would fit in the frunk. I DO NOT need a frunk and would rather have a motor for front wheel drive instead. BUT, if I can use the dang frunk for a spare, I'm OK with it. SLATE does not have dimension other than cu. ft. that I've seen.

 

[swami37]

You beat me to it! I have been puzzling over the same thing and wondering if a 40-mile spare and jack/etc would fit in the frunk. I DO NOT need a frunk and would rather have a motor for front wheel drive instead. BUT, if I can use the dang frunk for a spare, I'm OK with it. SLATE does not have dimension other than cu. ft. that I've seen.

My best guess is a small spare and jack will fit if needed

 

[DinoLord]

I never worry about flats as all my cars in the household have run flats (RFT).

#1 reason: safety.

Ask me about an encounter on the side of a highway when I had to pull over for a flat and changed my entire picture of reality....

What about the encounter on the side of a highway when you had to pull over for a flat and changed your entire picture of reality?

 

[DinoLord]

I'm planning to 3D print a storage system similar to this for my Slate. My idea is to make the dividers adjustable, so the orange partitions can slide left or right (or be removed entirely) depending on what I'm hauling.

I'll also be printing a top that sits flush with the top of the wheel wells, creating a small but completely flat cargo area. The idea is to keep the storage compartments underneath while giving me a level surface for hauling larger items when needed.

I'm thinking of making the top modular as well, so sections can be removed for quick access to the storage below without taking the whole thing apart.

Pretty much what I thought up but from wood since I'm a caveman.

 

[Bee]

P.S. I'm also tempted to fabricobble something like this. (Yes, the trunk access would be highly annoying)

I’ve thought of doing the same thing

 

[ClayJar]

Everything's fine until it has to sneeze.

 

[Skippy]

I’ve thought of doing the same thing

I love this

 

[solartogo]

Pretty much what I thought up but from wood since I'm a caveman.

I hadn't thought it up, but it looks like a nice idea, and I wondered about how much weight a 3D-printed version would be able to hold, thought of using wood also, as I'm not familiar with the structural strength of 3D-printed materials? It would also seem to require a fairly large 3D printer? "Wood" anyone more knowledgable comment on those concerns?

 

[metroshot]

What about the encounter on the side of a highway when you had to pull over for a flat and changed your entire picture of reality?

Driving on a Los Angeles freeway, the SUV had a tire blow out, pulled over to the side shoulder, I called Auto Club for assistance as the spare was flat. Wife was checking the back of the SUV..

While waiting, a small low riding car rolled up behind with 2 tatted out young people who were probably thinking they rolled up on a female victim with a flat.

As they walked up, I could see in the side mirror that they were not the Auto Club personnel.

As they were about to confront my wife at the back of the vehicle, I stepped out and pulled out my licensed sidearm and held it to my side, never pointing it but rather a low ready position. They saw that I was armed, backed off, and quickly drove off.

If I had not been there, it might have been a totally different outcome.

That's when I made the decision never to be stranded on the side of a road for a flat tire.

Safety far exceeds any risk of a standard tire - thus all our household vehicles have RFT which can still drive with zero air pressure to a safe location up to 50 miles away.