R1S Spare tire hitch mount options?

[909phillyman]

I'm curious what your departure angle changes to in highest with that all mounted up.

Also, considering that there aren't many other practical options for R1S full size spare transport, for off-roading and camping, other than what @opnwide so graciously detailed in one of the most iconic posts EVER , as well as potential offerings from vendors like Dirtcom and RiGd, I really feel that my setup is a more-than-worthy alternative. For everyday spare tire transport, I'll carry the compact spare, once I can FINALLY purchase one hopefully s00n, in the spare tire compartment.

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[Dark-Fx]

Also, considering that there aren't many other practical options for R1S full size spare transport, for off-roading and camping, other than what @opnwide so graciously detailed in one of the most iconic posts EVER , as well as potential offerings from vendors like Dirtcom and RiGd, I really feel that my setup is a more-than-worthy alternative. For everyday spare tire transport, I'll carry the compact spare, once I can FINALLY purchase one hopefully s00n, in the spare tire compartment.

I threw a spare into a carrier on the roof of my R1T for doing "real" off-roading stuff.

 

[skiborsy]

Given you have to swing the spare out to open the hatch anyway, it looks like you could cut 3"-4" off the tire carrier to bring it in tighter to the back of the vehicle. Great idea! I've been shocked by the price of hitch mounted carriers and swinging mounts generally - Wilco has a hitch swinger for $850! https://wilcooffroad.com/products/hitchswing Yakima has something priced similarly to the Kuat which could also be worth a try: https://yakima.com/products/backswing

 

[opnwide]

Also, considering that there aren't many other practical options for R1S full size spare transport, for off-roading and camping, other than what @opnwide so graciously detailed in one of the most iconic posts EVER , as well as potential offerings from vendors like Dirtcom and RiGd, I really feel that my setup is a more-than-worthy alternative. For everyday spare tire transport, I'll carry the compact spare, once I can FINALLY purchase one hopefully s00n, in the spare tire compartment.

Been hauling that full size spare around in the back cargo way more often than I thought I would—four off-road trips, various river fly-fishing trips, and this one last week with my friend that came up to CO from Austin,TX in his R1S, but I was support vehicle since he didn’t have a spare. I feel naked without it.

 

[Acecorgi]

There is an option to turn off the rear sensors aka towing mode in the vechile options. How is the rear camera visibility with the tire on? Do you have any pictures? Thanks for taking the plunge on this budget option!
@909phillyman

 

[909phillyman]

Been hauling that full size spare around in the back cargo way more often than I thought I would—four off-road trips, various river fly-fishing trips, and this one last week with my friend that came up to CO from Austin,TX in his R1S, but I was support vehicle since he didn’t have a spare. I feel naked without it.

That looks like a memorable excursion! Colorado is definitely a destination that I'm hoping to navigate to on a future adventure! I still have your setup in mind for some other adventures as well!

 

[tahoer1s]

@909phillyman

Awesome setup! I agree that the Kuat Pivot seems to fit perfectly.

I also saw swing arms from Yakima (mentioned above), Saris, and Amazon (generic), but I'd be hesitant to order them... there's no really beating the fit of that Kuat.

It's nice that it keeps everything centered too. I like the look of the centered spare tire best.

On the eTrailer spare tire mount - any idea why it tilts the tire in towards the vehicle instead of perpendicular to the ground? I've seen that on nearly all of the hitch mount carriers. Is that for support?

Thinking about going with the same setup and trimming as much as I can off the spare tire mount to get a closer fit.

 

[Phatman113]

On the eTrailer spare tire mount - any idea why it tilts the tire in towards the vehicle instead of perpendicular to the ground? I've seen that on nearly all of the hitch mount carriers. Is that for support?

IIRC they're tilted to put the center of mass directly down on the post instead of hanging back and trying to bend the post...

 

[tahoer1s]

IIRC they're tilted to put the center of mass directly down on the post instead of hanging back and trying to bend the post...

Ah - that makes sense. I should have figured that out. Thanks!

 

[909phillyman]

@909phillyman

Awesome setup! I agree that the Kuat Pivot seems to fit perfectly.

I also saw swing arms from Yakima (mentioned above), Saris, and Amazon (generic), but I'd be hesitant to order them... there's no really beating the fit of that Kuat.

It's nice that it keeps everything centered too. I like the look of the centered spare tire best.

On the eTrailer spare tire mount - any idea why it tilts the tire in towards the vehicle instead of perpendicular to the ground? I've seen that on nearly all of the hitch mount carriers. Is that for support?

Thinking about going with the same setup and trimming as much as I can off the spare tire mount to get a closer fit.

Thanks, and good luck! Hope this works for you as well.

And thanks to @Phatman113 for answering the question about why the bracket is tilted. I wondered the same thing!

I'll do one more "informative" post with the full size spare mounted on the carrier, after I get all of my tires put on the new wheels (hopefully tomorrow).

 

[tahoer1s]

Thanks, and good luck! Hope this works for you as well.

And thanks to @Phatman113 for answering the question about why the bracket is tilted. I wondered the same thing!

I'll do one more "informative" post with the full size spare mounted on the carrier, after I get all of my tires put on the new wheels (hopefully tomorrow).

Awesome - look forward to seeing the completed build. Thanks again; all very helpful to give me a head start.

 

[csharp]

As noted, I may trim the tire carrier shank down so that I can bring the tire closer to the rear of the truck, so that would also improve departure angle.

I personally would. It'll help your departure angle but more importantly, IMO, it'll cut down on the amount of rotational force you have hanging out back there.

 

[Phatman113]

As noted, I may trim the tire carrier shank down so that I can bring the tire closer to the rear of the truck, so that would also improve departure angle. Can't wait to test all of this out...s00n!

I would definitely check how much 'wiggle' you get from that tire before trimming... Hopefully very little (that's one of the benefits of the specific built tire carriers).

 

[Dark-Fx]

I would definitely check how much 'wiggle' you get from that tire before trimming... Hopefully very little (that's one of the benefits of the specific built tire carriers).

Probably worth seeing what happens if you put some upward load on it too, like what will happen if you drag it off-road.

 

[909phillyman]

I would definitely check how much 'wiggle' you get from that tire before trimming... Hopefully very little (that's one of the benefits of the specific built tire carriers).

Thanks, but no wiggle as tested...yet. I've already tightened the hitch swing and the carrier with all included hardware, and I tested it with a bare 37lb wheel. My off-road tires weigh 48lbs/each, which in total with a wheel is well UNDER the carrier's load capacity, so we'll see how things work out once I get everything mounted and out on the trail.

The spare tire carrier itself, once trimmed by a 1/2" (if I follow-through with that), won't move any more or less than it would if I leave it alone. Anecdotally, the reason I'm considering trimming the spare tire carrier shank down a 1/2" is because the hitch receiver on the Kuat hitch swing is too shallow, so when I insert the spare tire carrier, it only goes in so far...to the first pin hole (farther away from rear of truck). In my optimal use case, I'd like to secure the hitch pin in the second hole in order to bring the carrier closer to the rear of the truck. And this is where my problem is...the second pin hole is less than a 1/2" off the mark to where I could use it to bring it in closer. But again, trimming it a 1/2" won't affect its stability, especially since it is an open shank.

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