R1S Spare tire hitch mount options?

[csharp]

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).

Could you get a wheel spacer meant for the dodge ram? Bora makes great spacers.

Sponsored

 

[Dark-Fx]

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.

Might be possible to take the carrier to a machine shop with a pipe bender and get a little more clearance in it.

 

[Acecorgi]

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.

Do you have any pictures of it?

 

[909phillyman]

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.

This is interesting...and I think useful for this thread. The offset on my aftermarket wheels is +25, and the lower, inner, part of my wheel/tire does make some contact with the tire carrier arm as illustrated in some of my earlier pics, however, the contact is very minor. I am able to securely mount the wheel at all 3 points to the carrier, however, I acknowledge that it can be difficult to line up the holes initially, so I came up with a very-temporary, low-tech solution for this, which was to take a piece of cardboard, place it on the back of the wheel, then poke 3 holes through the wheel and the cardboard for alignment (DON'T JUDGE ME ? ). From there, place the bolts in the carrier holes, then secure the cardboard to the carrier and bolts, then secure the lock washers onto the bolts. From there, it should be much easier to mount the wheel to the carrier. I've done it multiple times with ease. Again...don't judge me, but it works!!! Additionally, to mitigate rubbing/abrasion of the wheel on the carrier, I devised a rudimentary rubber pad and zip-tied it to the carrier arm where the wheel contacts the arm. Problem solved. See pics below for context.

Now, as it relates to your initial, and largest problem with the stock Rivian +48 offset wheels not sitting flat against the angled support arm: I think @csharp has a great idea...which is to simply use a spacer between the carrier mount and your wheel. I think that, along with your longer carriage bolts should solve this problem.

Please let us know which path you take. Again, I'm glad you brought up this issue so that collectively, we can find solutions that work for everyone!

Good luck, and please keep us posted!

 

[BrentInCO]

Could you get a wheel spacer meant for the dodge ram? Bora makes great spacers.

Thanks for the idea, but I've Googled those spacers, and others, but can't visualize how it would actually work on this tire carrier, since it's quite different from an actual wheel with lug nuts. e.g. I don't know how a spacer is secured to a wheel as part of it's intended application, nor how a spacer would be secured to the angled steel of the tire carrier.

 

[csharp]

Thanks for the idea, but I've Googled those spacers, and others, but can't visualize how it would actually work on this tire carrier, since it's quite different from an actual wheel with lug nuts. e.g. I don't know how a spacer is secured to a wheel as part of it's intended application, nor how a spacer would be secured to the angled steel of the tire carrier.

Take a picture of your carrier. But you would bolt the spacer to the carrier as if the spacer was the actual rim. Bolt it down tight. Then the spacer has new lugs sticking out which you would then mount the rim to.

 

[Si.LE.R1S]

@BrentInCO do you think 1/2” to 1” additional would be enough to overcome the depth of offset of the Rivian 20” AT wheels, provided I get some longer bolts as well?

My eTrailer spare mount and Kuat swing arm (got the last used one lol) should arrive in a couple days. I ordered these 1/2” spacers to give more depth allowance ($20). Will report back once I get to try it.

https://a.co/d/jiHLWQo

 

[909phillyman]

@BrentInCO do you think 1/2” to 1” additional would be enough to overcome the depth of offset of the Rivian 20” AT wheels, provided I get some longer bolts as well?

My eTrailer spare mount and Kuat swing arm (got the last used one lol) should arrive in a couple days. I ordered these 1/2” spacers to give more depth allowance ($20). Will report back once I get to try it.

https://a.co/d/jiHLWQo

@Vegas_R1S Please do keep us posted! Looks like we might have a solution for the stock wheel! I'd imagine one/both of those depth spacers would be the solution.

As an alternative for testing...you all could also use drilled-out wood blocks of varying depth (1/2" - 1") to test fit and estimate the needed depth...in lieu of purchasing spacers first. That way, you can verify the needed additional depth and can then purchase spacers accordingly. But +1 to Amazon's return policy!!!

 

[VikingMD]

Anybody up to try this bad boy out?

https://westcottdesigns.net/product/universal-hitch-mount-tire-rack-with-cooler-work-table/

 

[Dark-Fx]

Anybody up to try this bad boy out?

https://westcottdesigns.net/product/universal-hitch-mount-tire-rack-with-cooler-work-table/

I suspect it won't work with the Rivian because of the undermount hitch receiver. That's the problem with a lot of accessories.

This is a sweet idea though, https://westcottdesigns.net/product/roll-around-cart-hitch-mounted-rack/

 

[BrentInCO]

@BrentInCO do you think 1/2” to 1” additional would be enough to overcome the depth of offset of the Rivian 20” AT wheels, provided I get some longer bolts as well?

My eTrailer spare mount and Kuat swing arm (got the last used one lol) should arrive in a couple days. I ordered these 1/2” spacers to give more depth allowance ($20). Will report back once I get to try it.

https://a.co/d/jiHLWQo

Thanks for the Amazon link for spacers, so I'll give them a try, too; trial and error will tell us if that's enough depth. I've ordered those now, too. As for the carriage bolts, I went to Ace Hardware and purchased 1/2” x 2 and 1/2", and matching nuts, as the locking nuts that come with the Etrailer tire carrier can't be fully tightened down the bolt.

 

[BrentInCO]

Anybody up to try this bad boy out?

https://westcottdesigns.net/product/universal-hitch-mount-tire-rack-with-cooler-work-table/

I suspect it won't work with the Rivian because of the undermount hitch receiver. That's the problem with a lot of accessories.

This is a sweet idea though, https://westcottdesigns.net/product/roll-around-cart-hitch-mounted-rack/

Exactly what I've found. So many manufacturers told me their product won't work on a Rivian for this reason. And I’m hesitant to add a hitch extender.

 

[909phillyman]

Thanks for the Amazon link for spacers, so I'll give them a try, too; trial and error will tell us if that's enough depth. I've ordered those now, too. As for the carriage bolts, I went to Ace Hardware and purchased 2 and 1/2" x M12, and matching nuts, as the locking nuts that come with the Etrailer tire carrier can't be fully tightened down the bolt.

Thanks for your input, and your willingness to take one for the team as well! Hope this all works out as an easy solution to implement for the stock wheels, with this setup!

 

[Acecorgi]

I'm also considering some other mounts like the folksong

Thanks for the Amazon link for spacers, so I'll give them a try, too; trial and error will tell us if that's enough depth. I've ordered those now, too. As for the carriage bolts, I went to Ace Hardware and purchased 2 and 1/2" x M12, and matching nuts, as the locking nuts that come with the Etrailer tire carrier can't be fully tightened down the bolt.

Any luck with the spacers?

 

[Si.LE.R1S]

So the two 1/2” spacers weren’t nearly enough. Looks like 2” is minimum with potential contact of the eTrailer vertical bar with the wheel. So really need 2.5” of additional clearance.

I mocked this up using 2” hitch and one of the 1/2” spacers, which gives about 1/2” clearance between the post and wheel (see pictures).

Problem: apparently no such thing as a 2.5” spacer, at least in the 5 x 5.5 bolt patter needed.

I just ordered a two inch spacer and will pair it with one of the 1/2 inch spacers I already received.

Will post new trial tomorrow.

Sponsored