R1S Spare tire hitch mount options?

[ElmTree]

Been searching for awhile for an R1S hitch mount for a full size spare. Has anyone found anything that works? Looked through the different pages and was not finding anything recent on this. I know Rig’d, Wilco and Dirtcom are currently not options.

How safe / legal are these hitch mounts when they mostly block tail lights of the vehicle?

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[Phatman113]

Been searching for awhile for an R1S hitch mount for a full size spare. Has anyone found anything that works? Looked through the different pages and was not finding anything recent on this. I know Rig’d, Wilco and Dirtcom are currently not options.

Rigd now hos a Rivian option, but you need to reach out to them for it.

 

[Si.LE.R1S]

How safe / legal are these hitch mounts when they mostly block tail lights of the vehicle?

Not sure where the concern is. Of the hitch mount options I’ve seen, none obstruct the rear brake lights/turn signals and the light over the lift gate is also unobstructed. Could you clarify your concern?

 

[Dark-Fx]

Not sure where the concern is. Of the hitch mount options I’ve seen, none obstruct the rear brake lights/turn signals and the light over the lift gate is also unobstructed. Could you clarify your concern?

Blocks one of the rear fogs but most people don't even know to activate those anyway...

 

[Tango001]

Thanks for the great write ups. I was looking into a similar setup. Does anybody know if the 21 road wheels have a similar offset to the 20 in wheels and would also require the spacers with the etrailer spare tire hitch mount?

 

[909phillyman]

Thanks for the great write ups. I was looking into a similar setup. Does anybody know if the 21 road wheels have a similar offset to the 20 in wheels and would also require the spacers with the etrailer spare tire hitch mount?

Yes, the OEM 21 wheels have the same offset as the OEM 20's at +48 if I recall correctly. You will need spacers storing one of the OEM wheels on the spare tire carrier that myself and others are using from this thread.

Good luck

 

[Tango001]

I’m sorry if this is a stupid question, but what if you flipped the tire around backwards and put a cover on it? Wouldn’t that take care of the offset? would it tear the rim up? My wife likes the aero covers on her wheels on the r1S (for some reason) so even if it did scratch up the rim a bit I don’t think you’d ever see it.

 

[Si.LE.R1S]

@Tango001

the 2” spacer should be fine. Just make sure it doesn’t have the collar on it (see post page 5-6)

question. is there a reason you’re considering the spare tire tire carrier instead of the compact spare? With 21” and aero covers, I’m guessing off roading is not a primary role. I only ask because spare carrier comes with its drawbacks (from the better half):
- loss of rear camera
- disabled collision warning on rear and side rear sensors
- impaired 360 overhead view
- pain to get into trunk for casual access
- partially obstructed rear view
- extra clearance for garage parking (I have two permanent “recesses” in my drywall for the tow hooks lol

But the benefits of having an easily accessible full size wheel on trail outweigh those benefits during the periods in have the spare carrier on. For road trips, I go with 22” and compact spare.

 

[Tango001]

@Tango001

the 2” spacer should be fine. Just make sure it doesn’t have the collar on it (see post page 5-6)

question. is there a reason you’re considering the spare tire tire carrier instead of the compact spare? With 21” and aero covers, I’m guessing off roading is not a primary role. I only ask because spare carrier comes with its drawbacks (from the better half):
- loss of rear camera
- disabled collision warning on rear and side rear sensors
- impaired 360 overhead view
- pain to get into trunk for casual access
- partially obstructed rear view
- extra clearance for garage parking (I have two permanent “recesses” in my drywall for the tow hooks lol

But the benefits of having an easily accessible full size wheel on trail outweigh those benefits during the periods in have the spare carrier on. For road trips, I go with 22” and compact spare.

No, no off-roading, it’s my wife’s kid hauler. I have been going back and forth between full size and compact spare. We have a couple of long family road trips coming up this summer without flexibility in the schedules and if we are in the middle of nowhere and get a flat I can’t plug I’m a little concerned about finding a replacement for the road tires quickly, could really screw things up.

 

[Si.LE.R1S]

I see the dilemma. Have you considered a swing down carrier? I think this would be a great solution for road trip use where you might want to take it off at your destination. Rigid Armor makes one but you’d have to call to make sure the fitment will work. I know they have been working on a Rivian specific version of the the swing arm carrier, so they mostly like both the T and S measurements. As just another point of consideration, these swing out carriers are pretty heavy. I use a rolling metal shelf and ratchet straps to take mine on and off. Here is the Rigid Armor product:

https://www.rigid-armor.com/subaru

 

[Tango001]

I see the dilemma. Have you considered a swing down carrier? I think this would be a great solution for road trip use where you might want to take it off at your destination. Rigid Armor makes one but you’d have to call to make sure the fitment will work. I know they have been working on a Rivian specific version of the the swing arm carrier, so they mostly like both the T and S measurements. As just another point of consideration, these swing out carriers are pretty heavy. I use a rolling metal shelf and ratchet straps to take mine on and off. Here is the Rigid Armor product:

https://www.rigid-armor.com/subaru

Thanks, I’ve looked at them a bit but other than some cheap-o ones on Amazon I haven’t really found any that are reasonable priced for what I’m looking for.

 

[Tango001]

Ok. Didn’t find a working anti-rattle pin. BUT do have an anti-rattle locking solution that is working well now after a few failed attempts. What I landed on as my setup:

• Master lock 1/2in receiver lock (bought the set but any 1/2in receiver lock will do)
• MaxxHaul hitch tightener (installed with the bolts facing up in order to fit)

The result is rock solid and after a test drive today I’m very happy with it.

Also, to relocate the license plate I added the Thule license plate holder and used this trailer plug adapter to get the light working (thanks for that info @Si.LE.R1S in your thread on the DIY solution! Would have DIYed if I had more time before departing on an upcoming trip).

Edit: pics

Did you also use the master lock to lock the swing arm to the hitch or just the spare tire holder to the swing arm? I ordered the master lock but it doesn’t seem long enough to use on the truck hitch.

 

[GreenOptimist]

Did you also use the master lock to lock the swing arm to the hitch or just the spare tire holder to the swing arm? I ordered the master lock but it doesn’t seem long enough to use on the truck hitch.

I used the master lock to lock the spare tire holder to the swing arm. The Kuat has a lock that is long enough and comes with it, so used that to lock the swing arm to the hitch.

 

[Tango001]

Ok so I went with a slightly different route for the full size spare for my R1S. I decided I didn’t really need a swing out option because I’ll only be using it for family road trips and didn’t want to spend a ton of money. I plan on loading stuff we won’t need until we reach our destination behind the 3rd row and putting overnight bags in the frunk and just pulling off the spare mount at our destination until it’s time to head back home.

I ordered a spare tire cover with a camera hole that I can run the license plate mount through but it hasn’t come yet.

I’m still trying to figure out what to do for a wheel lock. Has anyone else found anything that will work other than a rope lock?

Links for the parts I ordered are below.

I did the Draw-tite front mount spare tire carrier. I like the angle it holds the tire at better than the ones made for the rear by curt and e-trailers.com.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E1HWDS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I used a 2 inch spacer because of the wheel offset.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYS8JVTS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This is the license plate holder I used.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1V7VWNB?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

For a light for the license plate I used this.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D1BWJMC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I wanted a hitch lock and found that this works.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AVSIOI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This is the hitch tightener I used to avoid rattle.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3C4F22V?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[JeremyP]

I just built a spare tire carrier using a 12" hitch extension, part of a folding bike rack and other parts that I had. The tire fold back just enough to allow the hatch to open, and the tailgate just clears as well.

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