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Feeling my first driving is just around the corner, it makes me realize that I don't have a spare tire on my list of remaining items. I'm running 16 x 650s on the truck. My question is, could I run a smaller tire as a "get me home" doughnut kinda spare to save space? Say a 16 x 500? I'm thinking the smaller tire might be easier to stow behind the seat (gas tank moved to frame) or maybe even under the frame somewhere.
While you could probably get by with a smaller tire, why would you want to?
If it was me, I would source a rim (if you don't already have one), get a matching tire, and source the tire carrier and bolts/nuts, then install the spare under the bed in the rear where it is supposed to go.
There are several people who have, or can get you the proper carrier for a reasonable amount. If your hanging hardware is MIA, unfortunately the bolts are no longer available. However, they can be pretty easily fabricated, and there are still some dealerships that have the nuts in stock. The nut parts number is 51 1476-A.
Feeling my first driving is just around the corner, it makes me realize that I don't have a spare tire on my list of remaining items. I'm running 16 x 650s on the truck. My question is, could I run a smaller tire as a "get me home" doughnut kinda spare to save space? Say a 16 x 500? I'm thinking the smaller tire might be easier to stow behind the seat (gas tank moved to frame) or maybe even under the frame somewhere.
Assuming your avatar is your truck, it looks like an F-1. If your fuel tank hangs down low enough to obstruct the mounting of the spare I can see why moving it inside has merit. Also it might be easier to access from inside. The under frame hangers are a p.i.t.a. unless you use a modern crank up type. If you go with a smaller tire on the spare rim be aware that tires get shorter as they get narrower. Driving any distance like that wouldn't be real safe. If you can't fit a 6.50" in the space behind the seat, is carrying it in the bed out of the question? Stu
If you can't get it under the bed, fabricate a holder for the inside of the bed. Back in the 70s my spare hanger was missing so I held the spare in the bed against the inside of the bed with rubber bungie straps. It didn't hold it real tight but it worked and looked pretty cool.
The smaller tire idea is great is theory and lousy in practice due the size issue that Stu mentioned. With the relocated fuel tank and dual exhaust set up on your truck, under frame isn't going to work either. I'm not optimistic that you'll have room behind the seat.
It would seem that you'll need to have some sort of bed mount or never leave the comforts of your road service coverage area.
Mounted mine flat in the bed and put a black vinyl spare tire cover off a Jeep over it. You could not even tell it was in there unless you walked by and looked in the bed. Since I had 5x4.5 in front (Volare) and 5x4.75 in the rear (Chevelle) I carried an adapter so I could put the spare on either end. There was room under the wheel to keep the adapter, an extra set of lug nuts, a lug wrench, and a bottle jack. Fortunately, I never had to use it but it was there mainly for peace of mind...
I had TWO flat tires on my recent journey to Kentucky. My tires were new, and before I left, I bragged that I hadn't changed a tire in 30 years. I was pretty sure I didn't need a spare. I found out, however, that there's a reason modern tires are tubeless, and back in the day people sometimes carried more than one spare on a long trip.
If you can't fit a 6.50" in the space behind the seat, is carrying it in the bed out of the question? Stu
The tire in bed is what I was trying to avoid. Tom's setup looks very clean and that's likely how I'll go.
Originally Posted by 52 USCG Panel
I had TWO flat tires on my recent journey to Kentucky. My tires were new, and before I left, I bragged that I hadn't changed a tire in 30 years. I was pretty sure I didn't need a spare. I found out, however, that there's a reason modern tires are tubeless, and back in the day people sometimes carried more than one spare on a long trip.
Jim
That will teach you to brag Jim! In a double flat situation, does anyone have an idea if fix-a-flat is reliable at all w/tubes? I can do some google searching on that later tonight but thought I'd ask.
Originally Posted by FortyNiner
The smaller tire idea is great is theory and lousy in practice due the size issue that Stu mentioned. With the relocated fuel tank and dual exhaust set up on your truck, under frame isn't going to work either. I'm not optimistic that you'll have room behind the seat.
It would seem that you'll need to have some sort of bed mount or never leave the comforts of your road service coverage area.
Good memory FortyNiner! Turns out a bulky spare probably won't fit anywhere else. I haven't seen the seat mounted yet so couldn't even visualize this option. In the bed it goes. No hurry, the truck will have to stay near home for the first few months until I get the bugs worked out. Once I think about mounting a tire, it brings up the topic of mounting a box in the bed too...the scope never ends on these projects!
Just to be clear; I didn't have 2 flat tires at the same time. I had a flat--changed it--and had it fixed. Then, several days later another tire was going flat. For that tire, I was able to get to a tire store for a fix without breaking out my spare. In both cases, there were holes in the inner tubes. I'm thinking modern shops aren't so familiar with dealing with tires with tubes.
I have a spare in the beast but it is a sedan not a P/U. I also carry a seceond spare inter tube and a can of compressed air. It’s like suspenders and a belt. It’s not to hard to break down the tire and replace the tube if really needed. If you have tube tires it’s a good “just in case”
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