Spare tire carrier optional on Traveler? Alternative locations for mounting spare tire?

[Stumpy]

Having wheel carrier be optional is a good move. Why not give customers the choice, it'd only helps sell more Scouts.

Unless they just like the look (that's me), most owners aren't ever going to need their spare, but requiring it has so many downsides: harder to access cargo area, harder to fit in garage, blocking rear visibility, adding more weight to vehicle.

I think best solution would be to make the spare tire carrier optional and also allow undermounting on the Traveler. Best of both worlds. Do it Scout

 

[Scout Fan]

I updated my post above with this:

Scout Motors has confirmed that the spare tire carrier on the Traveler SUV will be optional. is considering having the spare tire carrier be optional.

So it's not set in stone yet, but they're considering having it be optional. I bet this is soft speak for it'll likely be optional, but they don't want to go on record as confirmed... better to underpromise and overdeliver strategy.

 

[rfk]

requiring it has so many downsides: harder to access cargo area, harder to fit in garage, blocking rear visibility, adding more weight to vehicle.

I think best solution would be to make the spare tire carrier optional and also allow undermounting on the Traveler. Best of both worlds. Do it Scout

Absolutely yes to all of these points.

So it's not set in stone yet, but they're considering having it be optional. I bet this is soft speak for it'll likely be optional, but they don't want to go on record as confirmed... better to underpromise and overdeliver strategy.

Perhaps this reaction was unexpected? Yeah I want easy access to that split tailgate. Mandatory swinging-gate spare will absolutely alter my shopping list.

 

[GarageMahal]

As long as its removable mandatory doesn't bother me.

 

[Djbryan14]

The difference here compared to the competition is, they are all 1 or 2 steps to access the trunk. This is currently a 4 step process to open the trunk which is a bit much. Swing open the tire carrier, open the top lift gate, open the bottom tailgate, and lower the inner lower tailgate/ trim. That's the best placement for true off-roaders but there's no way most people will be able to get access to the trunk while the cars in the garage. A Defender 90 swing tailgate wouldn't open all the way with my garage door closed. I was able to halfway open it to access the trunk, but in the Scout, you'll have to swing the tire carrier all the way or at least most of the way open before you can open the lift gate. Moving it undermount is a pain in the rear to get to but you'll use the trunk way more than the spare.
I'm just not sure an under mount tire + the Harvester EREV engine will both fit back under there.

 

[Lucky Logan]

there's no way most people will be able to get access to the trunk while the cars in the garage. A Defender 90 swing tailgate wouldn't open all the way with my garage door closed. I was able to halfway open it to access the trunk, but in the Scout, you'll have to swing the tire carrier all the way or at least most of the way open before you can open the lift gate. Moving it undermount is a pain in the rear to get to but you'll use the trunk way more than the spare.
I'm just not sure an under mount tire + the Harvester EREV engine will both fit back under there.

Garage fit is a real practical concern that Scout should be focused on when it comes to deciding whether to make the spare wheel carrier optional. For example, they made the Cybertruck a bit too long and I know a couple of people that passed on their reservations because it was too big for their garage.

 

[Mousehunter]

Generally, most vehicles I have had that had a swing open rear door - swing to the passenger side. My current LJ has the tire on a carrier rather than the gate - both swing passenger. The carrier locks at about 60 degrees. Only problem is I don't always close it all the way, and I go down the road taking out trash cans. But, I do already have 3 step opening the rear. Swing the tire, open the glass, open the gate. Only difference is the gap cover.

 

[Surferdude]

That ticks off one major concern my wife has. The other is the weird decision to put the power button on the steering wheel. I will 100% accidentally hit it in that location.

I'm just thankful they decided to have a power button.

 

[DriveAllNight]

I can't image any company could, would, or should consider how a tailgate opens inside of a garage with the garage door shut.

 

[MC242x]

Wranglers, Broncos ,even the Honda Ridgelines have tailgates that swing open... it's really not an issue slamming into an adjacent car.

It's not, but it's also a total PITA to deal with to access the rear cargo area. For me, having this as optional is a big plus and I'd even pay a bit extra to delete the rear spare carrier.

 

[DriveAllNight]

It's not, but it's also a total PITA to deal with to access the rear cargo area. For me, having this as optional is a big plus and I'd even pay a bit extra to delete the rear spare carrier.

I'm a huge fan of a full size spare that's not under the frame, plus I like the look.
I open my tailgate all the time, it's really not a pain for me. But I get it, everyone has their preferences.

 

[MC242x]

I'm a huge fan of a full size spare that's not under the frame, plus I like the look.
I open my tailgate all the time, it's really not a pain for me. But I get it, everyone has their preferences.

One thing that definitely helps is the large frunk - day to day stuff like groceries and such can go there without having to deal with the spare carrier. I'll still opt to not have it, but on an EV I guess it's not as much of an issue. But it will be more of a hassle than it was even on my Bronco (I could swing out the door and put stuff in there without even having to flip up the rear glass - but the Scout will require the tire to swing out, then flip the glass, then lower the tailgate, so at minimum it's one-two extra steps.

 

[Goose]

It look like the rear tire carrier is a simple hinge pin with a retaining castle nut, like a prop on an Outboard Motor. It should be really easy to remove and hang on the garage wall. Really hope that is the case.

 

[KarlT]

It look like the rear tire carrier is a simple hinge pin with a retaining castle nut, like a prop on an Outboard Motor. It should be really easy to remove and hang on the garage wall. Really hope that is the case.

woul the back end be designed differently if no tire was there?

 

[Goose]

woul the back end be designed differently if no tire was there?

I highly doubt they would offer 2 different rear ends. My guess is the tire carrier will bolt to the bumper and be about a $1-2k option (not including the wheel and tire, prob a $2-3k total package). The bumper will be the same regardless, if it’s a lower trim and/or optioned without the tire carrier, the bumper will just have an insert to protect the hinge mechanism.

This is all speculative, I do not work at Scout. Although I wouldn’t mind if there’s any project management options available.