LR3 Interior Spare Tire Mount
- Thread starter jhawk
- Start date
I briefly carried my spare in the back before I completed my swing-out. I simply ran a ratchet strap from the stock cargo tie-downs up to the grab handle and back to the other tie down. Not ideal and not something I'd want full time but it got me by for a couple months.
I hated having it in there - took up way to much space. I'm much happier with it on the swing-out. Most people seem to carry them in the stock under car location if running stock sizes, or on a roof rack if running larger. I don't like either of those as access is difficult either way, plus who wants 75+ lbs on the highest point of the rig?
I hated having it in there - took up way to much space. I'm much happier with it on the swing-out. Most people seem to carry them in the stock under car location if running stock sizes, or on a roof rack if running larger. I don't like either of those as access is difficult either way, plus who wants 75+ lbs on the highest point of the rig?
nwoods
Expedition Leader
I ran trails with mine inside because the underneath spot is not good in most trail circumstances where you'll likely need it. I pushed the tire up against the passenger fender and used a good ratcheting tiedown strap from the front cargo D ring, through the tire (a couple of times), to the back D ring. It was solid and secure and did not move or squeak, but it did take up a lot of room and smelled like a tire!. I always wanted a swing out bumper but the options were few and far between back then.
I had the privilege of crawling under the truck while changing a tire on the freeway heading out of town last weekend and won't do that again. I'm running 265/70's on the truck and the biggest I can jam underneath is a 265/65. I absolutely don't feel like trying to get a tire off of my rack, and a swing out is hard for me to stomach price wise.
I'll goof around with the stock tie downs and a ratchet strap, before I bother fabbing anything up, since space really isn't an issue for me.
I'll goof around with the stock tie downs and a ratchet strap, before I bother fabbing anything up, since space really isn't an issue for me.
brickpaul65
Adventurer
I am considering a hitch mount from Detour ($250 ish) for day to day in my curt hitch. Then throw it inside for my few trail days, or switch to unseenone's hitch and leave it all the time.
I am interested in any thoughts for or against that approach.
I am interested in any thoughts for or against that approach.
jerdog53
Explorer
That is an interesting option http://detoursusa.com/knucklebone.php
I'm suspicious that the tire will be out of the way enough to set the tailgate all the way down regardless if it's a side drop or rear 40degree drop.
I'm suspicious that the tire will be out of the way enough to set the tailgate all the way down regardless if it's a side drop or rear 40degree drop.
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LR Max
Local Oaf
Yeah just tie it down in the back.
I recently put my tire on a carrier on the back of my rover. Whenever I look in the back of my rover now, I'm like, "There is so much room for activities!"
Also try to "liberate" a tire bag from Discount tire. Its just a giant garbage bag. However if you have to change a tire, its nice to have a bag to throw the nasty one in.
That is all I gots.
I recently put my tire on a carrier on the back of my rover. Whenever I look in the back of my rover now, I'm like, "There is so much room for activities!"
Also try to "liberate" a tire bag from Discount tire. Its just a giant garbage bag. However if you have to change a tire, its nice to have a bag to throw the nasty one in.
That is all I gots.
brickpaul65
Adventurer
They offer a full drop to the rear. I called a while back and you take a few measurements and decide if the side drop will work. He has a few pics on his Facebook page. The link on his site points to his old page due to Facebook changing it to a business page. Search detours USA or offroad and you will see his page (might be one word). There is an album in 2013 showing some options. He was helpful when I called.
Jwestpro
Explorer
So, go into such conditions off road that require big tire....put receiver on to hang tire, receiver that is like anchor with horrific departure angle, thus cannot go to places off road that require the big tire in the first place...
If people could just be fine with the tiny 31.5" tire that DOES fit, this thread would not need to exist.
Jwestpro
Explorer
I don't blame you for not wanting 75 lbs on the roof or having to maneuver it off either. Although, lifting heavy things keeps us strong!
I don't think the stock location requires "crawling under the truck" though. Drop all the way from inside, which it's very own ridiculous process, and it's basically sitting on the ground, reach in to twist the catch, drag tire out. No crawling.
I do think the spare tire retrieval design is about as stupid as the 2nd row seats are brilliant. To be required to remove your cargo, to lift a seat, just to twist a bolt is about as dumb as it gets.
No that anyone here doesn't know already but to fit the biggest tire in stock location one must remove the fibrous trim panel. I think it's as much for looks as any sort of heat shielding.
brickpaul65
Adventurer
Yeah, total shame that there are not any situations or applications in which larger tires would be beneficial that don't require every single degree of rear departure angle.
Also, another slight shame that one of the scenarios involved a curt hitch, not quite the decrease in departure angle as experienced with the stock hitch, in which the spare carrier would be used for day to day driving and most likely relocated to rear during the few short trail rides that the user goes on.
If only another option was also considered to minimize the impact of leaving it installed during offroad trips with the hitch that Unseenone is looking at fabricating.
You are extremely knowledgeable and have a great rig. No need to be elitist. I mean if people would just learn to live with everything as it is we would not need any modification threads or aftermarket components. I agree that none of these are as nice as adding a swing away. However, sometimes the compromise between a less than ideal solution and cost ($250 to $300 to install a hitch carrier in a hitch I have) is chosen to accomplish something. If fabricators were not so ridiculous with stand alone swing-away carrier pricing, it should only be $100 to $150 increase over the hitch carrier. That is $50 to $70 dollars over the hinge cost. There is no need for it to be as high as the typical sources offer it (terrafirma etc.). I would love a tactical rovers bumper but the cost might not be worth it for the length of time I will be keeping the car.
Taking the tire off the hitch carrier for trail rides in not much different than unloading a roof rack at the campsite before heading off to play. Which would allow for carrying a matching spare for day to day.
In short, I hope the advice and innovation keeps coming but the condescension could be a little toned down. Sorry if I misread the tone.
Also, another slight shame that one of the scenarios involved a curt hitch, not quite the decrease in departure angle as experienced with the stock hitch, in which the spare carrier would be used for day to day driving and most likely relocated to rear during the few short trail rides that the user goes on.
If only another option was also considered to minimize the impact of leaving it installed during offroad trips with the hitch that Unseenone is looking at fabricating.
You are extremely knowledgeable and have a great rig. No need to be elitist. I mean if people would just learn to live with everything as it is we would not need any modification threads or aftermarket components. I agree that none of these are as nice as adding a swing away. However, sometimes the compromise between a less than ideal solution and cost ($250 to $300 to install a hitch carrier in a hitch I have) is chosen to accomplish something. If fabricators were not so ridiculous with stand alone swing-away carrier pricing, it should only be $100 to $150 increase over the hitch carrier. That is $50 to $70 dollars over the hinge cost. There is no need for it to be as high as the typical sources offer it (terrafirma etc.). I would love a tactical rovers bumper but the cost might not be worth it for the length of time I will be keeping the car.
Taking the tire off the hitch carrier for trail rides in not much different than unloading a roof rack at the campsite before heading off to play. Which would allow for carrying a matching spare for day to day.
In short, I hope the advice and innovation keeps coming but the condescension could be a little toned down. Sorry if I misread the tone.
Jwestpro
Explorer
Not meant to be how it must have sounded.....
I just HATE anything in the way, my way anyhow, of the tailgate like the hitch mounted things create. I even sort of hate how my swing away-s are in my way requiring at least 1 step to swing out, 2nd to make sure it's latched well, then to actually open just the top half. Luckily it clears the jerry can on the left swing. It's all kind of crazy.
Underneath is pretty stupid too, aside from mass location which is fantastic down so low.
I also drive a BMW 5 series wagon, on long trips, and think the mini spare they provide is a total JOKE on consumers. So, I carry a matching full size on identical wheel mounted vertically in the cargo area (it won't fit under the cargo floor!) and have it secured by two heavy duty ratchet straps that start at the rear seat latch point about 14" off the floor (it's what the seats latch to against the side wall near cargo area), then make one loop around the tire through the wheel closest then across width of wheel (wheel spokes are toward passenger side window against the wall), back around tire at other side, exit out and down to the metal floor tie down that is bolted to the frame. That's ratchet strap #1, custom cut to remove excess at tailgate for tidy management.
Strap 2 is similar but across different section of wheel so as to create a usable storage area inside the wheel that I can reach from tailgate. Various things fit perfectly like mtn bike riding pack and a helmet, or a small day pack for hiking, or in winter, a bulky down jacket, or sometimes a down sleeping bag. A section of blue camping pad type foam is held in place by the 2 straps, this acts like a little basket for the wheel storage behind it. There is very usable space between the wheel and the window between C and D pillars too. My ARB 37 fridge is tied down against the floor just in front of said spare tire. It's quick release lid makes ease of inner basket placement. After all that, I still have about 32" clear width and 72" tailgate to back of front seats.
Maybe some of that will help with ideas for a spare when utilized double the interior space.
Here's and idea, remove all three 2nd row seats, freeing up gear space massively, place tire vertically in cargo area for ease of access if needed.
You've all seen front mounted receivers right....? Why not mount the freakin spare out front ?!
Anyway, this is just one aspect in how my 2004 Disco is better than the newer models. Tailgates are fun but at what cost to practicality?
I just HATE anything in the way, my way anyhow, of the tailgate like the hitch mounted things create. I even sort of hate how my swing away-s are in my way requiring at least 1 step to swing out, 2nd to make sure it's latched well, then to actually open just the top half. Luckily it clears the jerry can on the left swing. It's all kind of crazy.
Underneath is pretty stupid too, aside from mass location which is fantastic down so low.
I also drive a BMW 5 series wagon, on long trips, and think the mini spare they provide is a total JOKE on consumers. So, I carry a matching full size on identical wheel mounted vertically in the cargo area (it won't fit under the cargo floor!) and have it secured by two heavy duty ratchet straps that start at the rear seat latch point about 14" off the floor (it's what the seats latch to against the side wall near cargo area), then make one loop around the tire through the wheel closest then across width of wheel (wheel spokes are toward passenger side window against the wall), back around tire at other side, exit out and down to the metal floor tie down that is bolted to the frame. That's ratchet strap #1, custom cut to remove excess at tailgate for tidy management.
Strap 2 is similar but across different section of wheel so as to create a usable storage area inside the wheel that I can reach from tailgate. Various things fit perfectly like mtn bike riding pack and a helmet, or a small day pack for hiking, or in winter, a bulky down jacket, or sometimes a down sleeping bag. A section of blue camping pad type foam is held in place by the 2 straps, this acts like a little basket for the wheel storage behind it. There is very usable space between the wheel and the window between C and D pillars too. My ARB 37 fridge is tied down against the floor just in front of said spare tire. It's quick release lid makes ease of inner basket placement. After all that, I still have about 32" clear width and 72" tailgate to back of front seats.
Maybe some of that will help with ideas for a spare when utilized double the interior space.
Here's and idea, remove all three 2nd row seats, freeing up gear space massively, place tire vertically in cargo area for ease of access if needed.
You've all seen front mounted receivers right....? Why not mount the freakin spare out front ?!
Anyway, this is just one aspect in how my 2004 Disco is better than the newer models. Tailgates are fun but at what cost to practicality?