How to carry Big spare tyres? Sierra

[mike_nofx]

Just wondering how people carry their spare tyres which are 33+"

When i bought my sierra (soft-top with tail gate), the spare carrier which had been modified to fit a 33x12.5" tyre had cracks on it, and the tail gate is bent and cracked.

Im guessing the extra weight of the tyre, and the extra leverage is the cause.

At the moment i just carry the spare in the back, and have it bolted down so it doesnt move. This is ok, but it takes up way too much room.

Wondering if anyone has re-inforced the tail gate and spare carrier and were happy with the results?

Thanks
Mike

[want33s]

You could reinforce the tailgate but then you would transfer the problem to the quarter panel.
The only real solution is to make a dedicated spare wheel carrier, swing out style.

OR

mount it on the bonnet Land Rover style

Jas.

[ScrawnC]

I remember there being a thread about this a while back. Seems the best idea was to use a skinnier tyre to try and save some weight. Same diameter tyre just smaller width.

[spamwell]

even a standard tire kills the tailgate on a sierra over time, they are absoultely useless.

ive had one rip out from the body on my 1 litre and my tailgate and top mount cracked on my coily when i had 235's

here is my solution heaps of work and i still have not finished it but i have no rattles and it would hold a 33 nicely even though i only have a 30 on it.

[nicbeer]

ditto.

mine used to carry a 34 on it and was fine.

build a strong rear carrier inc bar an should have no issues.

[PJ.zook]

Exactly as the others have said, make youre own carrier and take the strain off the body and onto the chassis where it should be, heres the one i designed and made.

[mick85]

Mine sits in the tub in the back under a false floor, ratchet strapped down across the welded frame!

[lockdup]

take out your rear seats and put it in the tub.

[lay80n]

My spare 32 fits ontop of my draws in the back (no rear seat).

Layto....

[popeye1970]

heres mine, not quite finished but nearly there



heres the full write up i did on it

http://www.littlebud.co.uk/SwingAwayRearBumper.html

[86slowsierra]

hey popeye1970
nice build up but your set up seems a little too top heavy. Why couldn't you mount it lower down?
I think that mick85 has the right idea. its better for weight distribution.


Why do people feel the need to run a proper sized spare? i can see from this thread that some guys are running $200- $300 spare tires. whats the point?

if you get a flat , being a 4wder you should have a compressor on board so unless you have put a massive hole in a tire it is highly feasible that you could keep inflating it and nursing it till you get yourself to a place to fix it. you could also bring a puncture repair kit with you if your not running tubes.


Weight saving is gangsta.

Tim

[spamwell]

i like the look of having a matching spare, i also do a 5 way rotation, i also think it is easier just to swap a tyre, it makes it all look more like they are the tyres that are meant to be on the car.

[86slowsierra]

i like the look of having a matching spare , i also do a 5 way rotation, i also think it is easier just to swap a tyre, it makes it all look more like they are the tyres that are meant to be on the car.

if you rotate them thats fine but most dont so it makes a proper spare pointless.
if you want looks why not get a tire cover that way you can save weight, money and still have looks.

[Highway-Star]

i like the look of having a matching spare , i also do a 5 way rotation, i also think it is easier just to swap a tyre, it makes it all look more like they are the tyres that are meant to be on the car.

if you rotate them thats fine but most dont so it makes a proper spare pointless.
if you want looks why not get a tire cover that way you can save weight, money and still have looks.

Couple of points:
- Its illegal to run an unmatched spare (diameter wise). (I know just about everyhting on all our cars is of questionable legal levels, but its a start).
- If you have a locked diff you would hate driving with an odd tyre
- Daily driven vehicle; I rarely have enough time during business hours to do something as time consuming as get a tyre repaired, so I don't know how long I might have to be stuck with a spare on the vehicle...
- X2 on what spamwell said. I cannot do 5 way rotation though sadly. My spares are not the same tread pattern as my mains, and that really bugs me (I mean really bad), though they are the same size still.

Not saying your wrong, I just disagree

[nicbeer]

i like the look of having a matching spare , i also do a 5 way rotation, i also think it is easier just to swap a tyre, it makes it all look more like they are the tyres that are meant to be on the car.

if you rotate them thats fine but most dont so it makes a proper spare pointless.
if you want looks why not get a tire cover that way you can save weight, money and still have looks.

my spare is a 31 bfg muddie got for free and rim was $20

[PJ.zook]

My spares a brand spanking Simex, i dont really know why i carry it as i would spend hours repairing one of my worn tyres before i would want to use the spare. Looks good but as mentioned before.

[MUD-PIGSIERRA]

Couple of points:
- Its illegal to run an unmatched spare (diameter wise).

Are you sure....? Most car manufacturers only put space saver tires in the back these days, the one in our 300zx doesn't even come inflated, these tires in most cases are both smaller in diameter and width. There are a couple of mid range 4WD's that also run space saver tires and rims as well.

As for space saving mine spare is taking up a big amount of space in the back until I can put a tire carrier in, I built a false floor to go over the top of the tire. When I move the tire out side im chopping the legs and adding drawers in.n

[Highway-Star]

Couple of points:
- Its illegal to run an unmatched spare (diameter wise).

Are you sure....? Most car manufacturers only put space saver tires in the back these days, the one in our 300zx doesn't even come inflated, these tires in most cases are both smaller in diameter and width. There are a couple of mid range 4WD's that also run space saver tires and rims as well.

When I did a driver training course thing about 4 years ago (late 2004), one thing I remember them telling me was that spare tyre must legally be the same size as the other tyres (along with heaps of other stuff), I also remember their emphasise on keeping tyres the same diametre as standard, LOL I took allot of notice of that.

Unless this has changed to suit the influx of space saver tyres in newer vehicles?...

[want33s]

The spare tyre must be the same diameter, width and construction as the other four UNLESS the car was manufactured otherwise.
NB: Spare does not have to be same tread pattern.

Some newer cars come with a speed restricted skinny little tyre on a skinny yellow rim, that OK if thats how it was built.

Some cars don't even have a spare wheel they just have an aerosol can of tyre fixer in the boot!

Jas.

[spamwell]

i like the look of having a matching spare , i also do a 5 way rotation, i also think it is easier just to swap a tyre, it makes it all look more like they are the tyres that are meant to be on the car.

if you rotate them thats fine but most dont so it makes a proper spare pointless.
if you want looks why not get a tire cover that way you can save weight, money and still have looks.

tyre covers look horrible and don't make the wheel the same size so it doesn't look right

[86slowsierra]

well, ive made my point.
low and light is the way to go.
but each to their own.

[Gwagensteve]

Weight saving is gangsta.

Tim

Word.

Although I do currently have a full size spare, it's only 9" wide and on an alloy rim. (6" V6 Vitara rim)

I'd be looking at a 7.50 16 as a spare for a 33 and a 6.50/7.00 as a spare for a 31/32. these can go on a 4.5" sierra 16" rim and will be light and more importantly have way less leverage than whatever is on the ground.

I carry a tubeless repair kit and a compressor. I don't need a spare often.

Steve.

[mundy]

I'd be looking at a 7.50 16 as a spare for a 33 and a 6.50/7.00 as a spare for a 31/32. these can go on a 4.5" sierra 16" rim and will be light and more importantly have way less leverage than whatever is on the ground.

how hard are the 4.5" sierra 16" rim to find? any ideas where can find a whole set of them?
mundy

[Gwagensteve]

They turn up from time to time.

LJ wheels are 16X4.5 too and I think they the clear disc front end too.

Steve.

[suzuki boy]

I always run a same size spare on my sierra as it was locked front and rear with auto lockers.....

So when you have a 32" on one side and a 29" on the other it plays havick on a heap of stuff!

And isn't it just easyer to have a spaer you can chuck straight on!

Sayin that i have used those puncture plug things a few times in other people's tyres and they kick ass!

[Gwagensteve]

Put the spare on the front and unlock the hubs.

Simple.

Offroad it won't matter if the sizes are mismatched.

Steve.

[grimbo]

not sure why you need a spare on a Zuk. I've driven a fair distance on two completely flat rear tyres in my Zuk with no dramas.

[nicbeer]

not sure why you need a spare on a Zuk. I've driven a fair distance on two completely flat rear tyres in my Zuk with no dramas.

because it is wrong to do that / illegal and also damaging to the tyres that could have had a very minor leak and now need to go in the bin.

also depends if u did it on firm sidewall tires (simex etc) as softer tyres, rim will be sitting on the ground.

[Gwagensteve]

My swampers will fall off the beads if driven on with no air in them.

Steve.

[grimbo]

not sure why you need a spare on a Zuk. I've driven a fair distance on two completely flat rear tyres in my Zuk with no dramas.

because it is wrong to do that / illegal and also damaging to the tyres that could have had a very minor leak and now need to go in the bin.

also depends if u did it on firm sidewall tires (simex etc) as softer tyres, rim will be sitting on the ground.

not illegal, you don't have to carry a spare tyre. My tyres were fine just replaced the valve stems which had been wrecked leading to the flat tyre. These were 31 x 10.50 Yokohamas