Those of you with oversized tires, where and how did you mount your full sized spare? I have 38x13.50s, currently on the stock 20" wheels. When I purchase my aftermarket wheels, I plan to buy 5 so I can put the "spare" into rotation if needed. Otherwise, I'd be buying a $500 tire for the spare 18" wheel that will likely never touch the road.

I have a tool box in the bed which I've thought about drilling through the rear facing part in order to make a mount, well a holder, for the spare. I would then have to mount the toolbox a little better instead of the standard J-hooks to mitigate it's movement.

I've also thought about somehow mounting it to the side of the bed, so it would stay upright and not move. But, with the tire humps and toolbox in the way, I'm not sure there's room enough to do so.

Back in my Ranger owning days, it was common to flip the spare tire cable mechanism so the cable went up into the bed, instead of downward toward the ground. This created a way to secure it from movement and also make it slightly harder to steal. Though, I dont want to drill a whole in the bed of the 250!

Lastly, I could just throw a cable and lock through it and leave it in the bed, but then I'd always have to move it based on items I'm hauling.

I've seen the $3500 Carli hitch, which apparently works with a maximum of 37" tires...even it did work with 38s, I don't think I could spend that just to mount a tire. I've also seen the Shelby style mounts that bolt to the floor, while they look nice, it takes up a lot of room. Also...I have a toolbox.

 

Maybe a roof rack would be an option.

 

In the bed.

 

What mount is that? How often does it get in the way?

I'd prefer something not as permanent so I can move it when I need to throw something larger in the bed. I guess with your style of mount I could always bolt it down with wingnuts, so I could loosen it and remove it. Yours looks good though!

 

I have the dual moonroof. I think I could still probably make it work, but getting it down would be a huge PITA. That would be great to mount some lights to as well!

 

I made it. And, yes it was in way, a lot. I usually didn't keep the spare in it, just loaded it up for road trips -- I left the stock spare in place to work in a pinch. Without the tire in it, it was +/- the same level as the top of my tool box so I could still haul plywood, etc.

 

That's awesome, I'm guessing you just bolted it through the bed? My toolbox sits on the bed rails, though it's low profile, it sits up a bit higher than yours.

You make me want to buy a welder and try to make something of my own!

 

Yeah, I bolted it to the bed. I couldn't get it exactly where I wanted it because of all the crap under the bed. 4 bolts and the biggest fender washers I could find. It ended up being pretty sturdy.

I got tired of that solution and have run 305/70's on my last two trucks -- just because I didn't want to deal with a 37" spare.

 

Thanks for the info. I think I'll try bolting it to the toolbox so it sits up against it. I'll have to space it away far enough so I can still open the top though.

 

Maybe carry an inflator and leave it deflated so it will pull up into the stock location with the cable? Don't know if there's enough room for a 38 deflated or not.

 

Pretty sure deflation will not affect the diameter one whit.

 

If you have 3800 bucks and don’t need your 20k lbs hitch rating , this will do large tires.

replaces your hitch


but down grades the tow to 15k lbs

 

It gives you a little bit. I used to run the oversized spare in my excursion deflated because it wouldn't fit with air in it.

Looks like the answer is probably no on a 38" though. This guy did the work and figured out that about 36" is the max without airing down. I don't know that airing down would give enough compliance for a 38" but if it's a small-measuring 38" it might work.

 

How theft proof is that?

 

With a cable lock through it, as theft-proof as anything else on the truck. If someone REALLY wants something, there's nothing going to stop them from getting it -- all you can do is make it hard enough to deter the majority of the people that would take it.