- Joined
- Oct 25, 2024
- Threads
- 0
- Messages
- 100
- Reaction score
- 107
- Location
- South Texas
- Vehicles
- F250,, LJ, Golf TDI, Tacoma
I have had spare tires located in about as many places as conceivable. They all have their drawbacks. I mentioned my LJ, which requires 3 actions to open the back. Underneath requires using a "key" and getting down and dirty to pull it out. But most annoying to me is access from the interior. It requires unloading all the cargo (and putting it where - in the mud?) to pull the spare tire. Plus virtually all the inside spares are space savers - which universal suck.
Since the traveler will have a tailgate - putting the spare on a swinging rear door (like is normal for a Jeep), is not an option (but honestly that is the most handy place to put one). Then it just becomes preference - I like the location in most pickup trucks. Sure you have to get low to side it out from underneath - but honestly, you simple don't have to access it "that" often and at least you don't have to unload to access it. If there is room, I would go for an under mounted full sized spare - if not, will definitely purchase the swing out over having an interior spare (even if by some large miracle it is not a space saver).
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On a complete side note - I wonder what the standard jack will be like. After having 2 blow outs of 3 year old tires on one of my light trailers - I now carry a real jack (aluminum floor jack) 24/7 in my truck again, as well as a 4 way lug wrench (and most of the time, a cheater bar for it). Annoying to carry extra tools, but a God send when you are stuck on the side of the road and realize your vehicle lug wrench does not fit in the wheels of your trailer. Plus the floor jack lifts the vehicle or trailer in 1/4 the time.
Since the traveler will have a tailgate - putting the spare on a swinging rear door (like is normal for a Jeep), is not an option (but honestly that is the most handy place to put one). Then it just becomes preference - I like the location in most pickup trucks. Sure you have to get low to side it out from underneath - but honestly, you simple don't have to access it "that" often and at least you don't have to unload to access it. If there is room, I would go for an under mounted full sized spare - if not, will definitely purchase the swing out over having an interior spare (even if by some large miracle it is not a space saver).
---
On a complete side note - I wonder what the standard jack will be like. After having 2 blow outs of 3 year old tires on one of my light trailers - I now carry a real jack (aluminum floor jack) 24/7 in my truck again, as well as a 4 way lug wrench (and most of the time, a cheater bar for it). Annoying to carry extra tools, but a God send when you are stuck on the side of the road and realize your vehicle lug wrench does not fit in the wheels of your trailer. Plus the floor jack lifts the vehicle or trailer in 1/4 the time.
