Mounting Spare Tire on Front Bumper

[adrenaline503]

I am considering some long term options for my Nissan and I am trying to think of where to mount the spare. SO far I have:

1. On the roof. Truck is too tall, higher COG, wind resistence, bleh.
2. In the stock location. I would like to put a water tank there, maybe a compartment for a compressor or something.
3. Swing away rear bumper. Obstructs reward visability, my truck is LONG and hard enough to drive in reverse. It also seems like it would be cumbersome with the Wilderest since everything is oriented at the rear of the vehicle. Also, it would be more weight in the back, there isnt really a good way to distribute weight.

So that brings me to the front. If I were to have a front bumper built with a reciever hitch, I could have an attachment that could hold the wheel. The problems I see is that it would obsruct the radiator, block possible light mounting locations, and would likely interfere with any winch installations. It would however offer a lot of deer and elk protection, and could look pretty cool.

I doubt I will ever roll anything bigger than a 31" or 32" tire. Has anyone tried this on a smaller vehicle? I have seen them on cab overs, but maybe thats because it easier to see over the top of the tire.

 

[Alaska Mike]

It also adds weight up front. Add a winch and bumper, and you may affect your suspension negatively. Visibility might also be negatively affected, depending on how you mounted it.

I'd vote for the rear swingaway, since the suspension is already tuned for the weight to be in that vicinity anyway.

 

[Sloan]

The rear mounted tire won't affect visibility as much as you think.

 

[adrenaline503]

The rear mounted tire won't affect visibility as much as you think.

I had one on my Cherokee and you just get used to it. The rear bumper would probally be the best place, I was just going to eplore other options.

 

[BigAl]

If I were to have a front bumper built with a reciever hitch, I could have an attachment that could hold the wheel.

I put a receiver in my front bumper and found it very usefull. I never mounted a tire but some options I've tried:

Winch tray
upright to hold the front of canoe
tray to hold clay pigeon thrower
ice chest/ fire wood tray


At first I used a complete receiver, it stuck out ~5 inches

Then I ground it off and just use the hole now

 

[adrenaline503]

I will definately put a receiver up front.

 

[tdesanto]

Hood?

Or as some members might say, the bonnet?

Would the hood support the weight (50-60lbs)?

How much would that restrict visibility?

 

[TheRoadie]

I experimented with a frame mounted front receiver from Curt Manufacturing, with a model 31006 spare mount from them as well. It absolutely KILLED the approach angle, but when I got a custom bumper made that all got fixed and I got rid of the Curt.

Never seemed to have problems with airflow in 95 degree deserts.