R1S Spare tire hitch mount options?

[Si.LE.R1S]

@Vegas_R1S can get a tire bag to cut down tire smell and deal with dirty/muddy

Strange how hard is is to find a complete enclosure for a 34” wheel. Not many use cases I guess. Probably just buy two cheap elastic band covers and overlap them front and back. But gonna be hard to contain the rubber scent when the glass top oven reaches 140 in the summer lol

here’s to hoping OP’s DIY holds up well with some real world Use

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[Kpecks]

So here's the latest on my newly converted off-road setup...

Everything worked out exactly as I had hoped! I'm just going to add a few security-related items later, but this setup is functional...and sturdy. NOTE: I'll mount my license directly to the upper part of the hitch swing arm, to the right of the spare.

-Kuat Pivot v2 hitch swing
-eTrailer spare tire carrier
-Factory Reproductions FR70 Dodge Ram Hellcat Replica Wheels 20x9 +25offset
-275/60/20 Falken Wildpeak AT3W

I should have opted for the black hellcat wheels. They look fantastic. Also, is that a newmar Dutch star in the last pic??

 

[909phillyman]

I should have opted for the black hellcat wheels. They look fantastic. Also, is that a newmar Dutch star in the last pic??

Indeed...that is my neighbor's Dutch Star. They seem to live in it more than their house! lol

 

[909phillyman]

So, for those interested, I have an update on my setup.

I took the truck out to Joshua Tree ntl park over the weekend and am thoroughly pleased and impressed with how everything went...as it relates to this setup. Literally, the only customization that I did to this setup from the stock items I've referenced before, was to mount a license plate to the swing arm.

Some points:

• The mounted spare tire is not overly obtrusive when looking through the rear view window...definitely no more than other hitch mounted spares on other vehicles.
• I mounted my Rivian front license plate holder (which I never thought I would ever use) to the swing arm, and then with two self-tapping 3/4" screws, I attached my front plate (which I don't use...don't tell the cops) to the swing arm. It actually looks as if it came stock that way on the hitch swing. Since the plate is mounted on the upper portion of the swing arm, there are no ground clearance issues. No better use, IMO, for the required (in CA) FRONT Rivian license plate holder if you want to be defiant, like me!!! ?
• I ended up NOT trimming the spare tire carrier shank because I found that I could simply open the swing arm and then slide the carrier all the way up to the second hole (bringing it closer to the truck), and then run an anti-sway hitch pin lock through it. I then added a thin piece of foam to cushion the point where the shank protrudes 1/4" through the hitch pass-through on the outer/swiveling swing arm, to where it contacts the stationary hitch-mounted portion of the arm. I have had no issues opening/closing/securing the hitch swing, so this will be my final solution...which again, requires no modification. The tip/edge of my spare is now 5.5"-6" from the rear of my truck. The lowest portion of the hitch swing is about 21" from the ground, and then the upper tire carrier shank is at a height of about 23.5" inches from the ground.
• The setup held up and functioned well during the 160 mile roundtrip, which only included about 5 miles each way of light off-roading to get to/from my camping spot. While in transit, I monitored the tire and was focusing on movement or rattling...and there was NO noticeable movement at all...on pavement or off. I checked the stability of the setup once I arrived at the camping location, as well as when I returned home, but I noted that there was no adjustment or tightening required to secure anything. Additionally, neither the hitch swing or tire carrier are damaged/bent. I researched load limits for both the swing and carrier to ensure that my loads would be WELL within spec, so since this was the case, I was already confident in how it would hold-up. No disappointment here.
• The ease of use and the accessibility to the R1S hatch that this setup offers, is game-changing for me. As I found out this weekend, there are quite a few additional benefits of having the spare swing-out including having a defined perimeter around your campsite, and/or having a "security door/barrier" for the privacy tent, having an accessory mounting/anchor point for your extraneous camping needs, etc, etc.
• Other than some other member's valid comments and insight as to why there is a need/benefit for some of those true dedicated trail swing spare tire carriers, for me...my setup is perfect, robust and functional, as well as aesthetically pleasing, and fiscally acceptable. Having a full size, accessible spare for off-roading, IMO, is an absolute necessity for the R1S, and having an affordable, cost-effective and safe solution, is key. As mentioned before...for every day driving, I will dismount the spare tire and carrier, and then depend on the still to be offered Rivian compact spare, although for long road trips, I'll probably bring the full size spare and leave the compact one.

On to the pics:

 

[Si.LE.R1S]

@909phillyman

This needs to be pinned to the top of the forums! Most useful thread I’ve seen. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Acecorgi]

Glad I got my kuat pivot before the cat is out of the bag. @909phillyman, did you end up getting this pin? https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch-Lock/Lets-Go-Aero/63232.html

I was hoping to get mine up and running this week but my 12v died on me yesterday..

 

[909phillyman]

@909phillyman

This needs to be pinned to the top of the forums! Most useful thread I’ve seen. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks...just trying to pay-it-forward. There was so much info that I gathered from this forum and other members, as well as my own research, that helped me figure things out. Just trying to help. Good luck with your build!

 

[909phillyman]

Glad I got my kuat pivot before the cat is out of the bag. @909phillyman, did you end up getting this pin? https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch-Lock/Lets-Go-Aero/63232.html

I was hoping to get mine up and running this week but my 12v died on me yesterday..

Lol...yeah, glad you got the hitch swing already. PM me if you have any questions once you get things together.

FYI...That hitch pin lock that you asked about will NOT work...ask me how I know. You need this one: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch-Lock/etrailer/e99047.html

Sucks about the battery dying ?

 

[HighVoltOverland]

Spider Roof Rack
Spider Roof Rack Universal Tire Swing
has been testing a prototype with me on the R1T, if you are in the LA area with an S, give them a shout, they'd likely want to test fit with existing models/ make one custom for the R1S.
They will have an option to specify if you have a Rivian as the existing universal doesn't quite fit due to the gooseneck on the tailgate

 

[909phillyman]

Spider Roof Rack
Spider Roof Rack Universal Tire Swing
has been testing a prototype with me on the R1T, if you are in the LA area with an S, give them a shout, they'd likely want to test fit with existing models/ make one custom for the R1S.
They will have an option to specify if you have a Rivian as the existing universal doesn't quite fit due to the gooseneck on the tailgate

Thanks @AustinWheeler45. Tiger showed me the prototype last month when I was there for my initial R1S roof rack measure-taking, but I needed a solution now...and more cost effective. His is definitely a nice, solid build though. Glad to see it's finally in production and on the site! Shout-out to you for pointing me in his direction for the rack!

 

[dgennetten]

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!

You can spend a lifetime jeeping in Colorado and still not see it all. I learned to drive in an M38-A1 (military willys with a CJ5-style body) in 4WD compound low. At 67, I'm considering myself at about mid-Journey. I CANNOT WAIT FOR MY R1S THIS FALL!

 

[jplblue]

So here's the latest on my newly converted off-road setup...

Everything worked out exactly as I had hoped! I'm just going to add a few security-related items later, but this setup is functional...and sturdy. NOTE: I'll mount my license directly to the upper part of the hitch swing arm, to the right of the spare.

-Kuat Pivot v2 hitch swing
-eTrailer spare tire carrier
-Factory Reproductions FR70 Dodge Ram Hellcat Replica Wheels 20x9 +25offset
-275/60/20 Falken Wildpeak AT3W

Awesome -- thanks for sharing! Why did you go with 275/60/20 instead of 275/65/20? Is it because you didn't want to recalibrate from the 22's? How do you like it?

 

[909phillyman]

Awesome -- thanks for sharing! Why did you go with 275/60/20 instead of 275/65/20? Is it because you didn't want to recalibrate from the 22's? How do you like it?

I went with that size tire for a multitude of reasons:
1. Price!!! These wheels, at the time, cost $192/each from Trailbuilt, which is unbeatable. Since I could NEVER find the appropriate Dodge Ram 2363 wheels from Craigslist, Facebook, etc, for as cheap as others have, all of the online sites that I knew of were charging at least $200/each for used, refurbished wheels...where I would still have to powdercoat if I wanted.
2. My original wheels/tires were the 22's, so the overall diameter was essentially equivalent to 33's. I wanted to maintain the same diameter so that I wouldn't need to recalibrate. A 275/60/20 tire ensures that.
3. I purchased aftermarket wheels, and as such, to my knowledge, there aren't many wheels out there that have the right specs...including offset. Aside from custom wheels, or wheels from companies like EVSportline, you have to be extra cautious in "right-sizing" wheels so that you don't have issues rubbing in normal driving and/or during high-compression moments while driving. 275/60/20 tires are less likely to rub, in any instance, so that was a part of it as well.
4. In order to make the wheel compatible with my truck, all I needed were simply some hub rings...easy!
5. Reading other owner insight and comments, I came across the wheels that you see...which are also being run by a few other owners as well so there's that first-hand knowledge of fit and other options.
6. In my opinion, the 275/65/20 is just too big for these Rivians. 34s are just too massive for my tastes. 33s are just right for me!

And finally...........I LOVE THESE WHEELS...and tires!

 

[jplblue]

I went with that size tire for a multitude of reasons:
1. Price!!! These wheels, at the time, cost $192/each from Trailbuilt, which is unbeatable. Since I could NEVER find the appropriate Dodge Ram 2363 wheels from Craigslist, Facebook, etc, for as cheap as others have, all of the online sites that I knew of were charging at least $200/each for used, refurbished wheels...where I would still have to powdercoat if I wanted.
2. My original wheels/tires were the 22's, so the overall diameter was essentially equivalent to 33's. I wanted to maintain the same diameter so that I wouldn't need to recalibrate. A 275/60/20 tire ensures that.
3. I purchased aftermarket wheels, and as such, to my knowledge, there aren't many wheels out there that have the right specs...including offset. Aside from custom wheels, or wheels from companies like EVSportline, you have to be extra cautious in "right-sizing" wheels so that you don't have issues rubbing in normal driving and/or during high-compression moments while driving. 275/60/20 tires are less likely to rub, in any instance, so that was a part of it as well.
4. In order to make the wheel compatible with my truck, all I needed were simply some hub rings...easy!
5. Reading other owner insight and comments, I came across the wheels that you see...which are also being run by a few other owners as well so there's that first-hand knowledge of fit and other options.
6. In my opinion, the 275/65/20 is just too big for these Rivians. 34s are just too massive for my tastes. 33s are just right for me!

And finally...........I LOVE THESE WHEELS...and tires!

Thanks, I'll have to keep an eye out for similar deal for a winter setup!

 

[BrentInCO]

I just received my Etrailer order and unfortunately the stock Rivian 20” staple wheels are shaped so deep that the center of the wheel doesn’t sit flat against the angled support (not angled enough) of the hitch mounted tire carrier (https://www.etrailer.com/Spare-Tire-Carrier/etrailer/e98ZR.html). For the moment, I’ve inserted some foam where the inside of the bottom of the wheel well rubs the vertical post, but I’m now uncertain about the long term possibilities of the creative low cost option mentioned in this thread, for my application. There’s going to be a lot of pressure on the carriage bolts since the wheel isn’t solidly resting on the angled steel support. As for adjustability, the bottom two bolts of the carrier can only move laterally, so I don’t see how to overcome this issue. If I turn the wheel around, then the angled steel support of the carrier will scratch up the face of the wheel.

I also had to buy longer carriage bolts to get to this point. And it took quite a long time just to get the wheel / tire mounted to the carrier. Much more tedious, awkward and frustrating than just throwing the (heavy) full size spare in the back of the R1S. I certainly won’t be doing this as often.

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