Spare tire as an underneath-bumper?

[moroza]

My Toyota's spare tire mounts under the frame, right behind the rear axle. Would it be a better idea to keep it there, perhaps with a metal plate underneath, and let it be a bumper for situations where departure angle comes in to play (dragging the rear, such as dropping into a ditch)? Or would I be better off mounting it elsewhere and gaining roughly 8-10 degrees of departure angle, but having the next point of impact be the spring shackles, the frame, or the camper box? I'm in the design phase of a small expedition vehicle, and I need to decide what to do with the rear bottom edge of the camper box.

 

[highdesertranger]

from my experience you do not want the spare tire taking the hit underneath. I have lost many a spare that way on several trucks. mini and full size. I always relocate them now. btw by lost I mean tore off, I always got the tire back. highdesertranger

 

[moroza]

from my experience you do not want the spare tire taking the hit underneath. I have lost many a spare that way on several trucks. mini and full size. I always relocate them now. btw by lost I mean tore off, I always got the tire back. highdesertranger

That sounds like a hassle, sure... but is it worse than bending spring shackles? That's what my next point of impact would be; what's yours?

 

[highdesertranger]

trailer hitch. highdesertranger

 

[Kmrtnsn]

There are two problems with this idea. First is the floating, hanging suspension mount for an underside spare. It is not rigid, it is flexible. When you combine that with the second problem, the high amount of friction. A tire is rubber. It does not slide across anything with any degree of lubricity. It hangs up, and then gets ripped loose. Relocate your spare. Put an additional fuel or water tank underneath instead.