R1S Spare tire hitch mount options?

[S.Mueller]

Anyone with the compact spare in their R1S able to see if there's room with the spare to put a hitch mount in that area so when you pull a flat full size tire you can just install the hitch carrier and mount the tire on it? May require a modification to the carrier to reduce its size or break it down? Or maybe carry it in the frunk when not in use.

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[csharp]

Anyone with the compact spare in their R1S able to see if there's room with the spare to put a hitch mount in that area so when you pull a flat full size tire you can just install the hitch carrier and mount the tire on it? May require a modification to the carrier to reduce its size or break it down? Or maybe carry it in the frunk when not in use.

Seems like a lot of work and $ for the possibility of a flat at some point. I'd just throw the full size in the trunk or frunk for the few miles to take it to a shop. In reality you might never use the spare / spare tire carrier in this scenario.

 

[S.Mueller]

Seems like a lot of work and $ for the possibility of a flat at some point. I'd just throw the full size in the trunk or frunk for the few miles to take it to a shop. In reality you might never use the spare / spare tire carrier in this scenario.

Unless you’re road tripping, more than a few miles from a shop that may or may not have the correct tire, have a pet in the back and seats full of passengers, etc. yes, in reality I may never need the spare, but that’s why you have a spare… for that unexpected case when you need it, same reason you have insurance.
and as for the $, the compact spare is much less expensive and can be left in the vehicle whereas the full size would always require the carrier.
But, I suppose I could just mount the carrier when road tripping and won’t have room to carry the FS spare in back and not mount/carry it when traveling more locally with room in the back. Thanks, I think I just worked the problem.

 

[909phillyman]

Anyone with the compact spare in their R1S able to see if there's room with the spare to put a hitch mount in that area so when you pull a flat full size tire you can just install the hitch carrier and mount the tire on it? May require a modification to the carrier to reduce its size or break it down? Or maybe carry it in the frunk when not in use.

Interesting thought, but good idea. Not many people have thought about what to do AFTER a tire change with the compact spare. It's like, ok...now what do I do with this big-ass flat tire! lol.

I think that would be a good idea to stow a compact tire carrier in with the compact spare...if you could find one to fit. Another option, dependent on occupants and luggage at the time, is that people could just carry a spare tire cover like these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YJ221D6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1) that cover the whole tire, and then throw it in the back. That would get you home...

 

[csharp]

Unless you’re road tripping, more than a few miles from a shop that may or may not have the correct tire, have a pet in the back and seats full of passengers, etc. yes, in reality I may never need the spare, but that’s why you have a spare… for that unexpected case when you need it, same reason you have insurance.
and as for the $, the compact spare is much less expensive and can be left in the vehicle whereas the full size would always require the carrier.
But, I suppose I could just mount the carrier when road tripping and won’t have room to carry the FS spare in back and not mount/carry it when traveling more locally with room in the back. Thanks, I think I just worked the problem.

I'm not saying dont carry the compact space. But that doesnt require anything special or extra. I'm of the mindset that in the random off chance that a flat does happen and I would have to pull out the compact and replace it for the flat full size, then I would just figure out what to do with the full size in that moment.

 

[909phillyman]

.........and as for the $, the compact spare is much less expensive and can be left in the vehicle whereas the full size would always require the carrier.
But, I suppose I could just mount the carrier when road tripping and won’t have room to carry the FS spare in back and not mount/carry it when traveling more locally with room in the back. Thanks, I think I just worked the problem.

Exactly....When around town (I'd say within 100 miles, or so, from home), I'll just run the compact spare (whenever it's FINALLY AVAILABLE from the gear shop!!!) and a tire cover. On longer road trips, or camping/off-roading trips, I plan to remove the compact spare, use that storage compartment, and just run the swing-away carrier. That pretty much covers all of my use cases, and isn't dependent on occupants or other space utilization at the time.

 

[Si.LE.R1S]

D

Anyone with the compact spare in their R1S able to see if there's room with the spare to put a hitch mount in that area so when you pull a flat full size tire you can just install the hitch carrier and mount the tire on it? May require a modification to the carrier to reduce its size or break it down? Or maybe carry it in the frunk when not in use.

eTrailer and some other vendors have a straight hitch mount intended for front use that could be used in the rear in a pinch. But you would definitely have to get 2-3” spacer due the crazy offset of the Rivian stocks. I imagine this would hold up just fine with donut spare speeds. I have a post with angled rear mount version that only clears the back wiper by 1/4-1/2 inch, so the straight version should give enough.

See this link:

https://www.etrailer.com/Spare-Tire...U6QAkLqY-AMFRXg8aHTvA86Viug0c66hoCpEIQAvD_BwE

This is the angled eTrailer carrier. Not enough clearance to back glass/wiper IMO, especially with amount of play at the hitch union.

 

[S.Mueller]

Of course, if as some have suggested you use a swing out accessory that would push the carrier further away from the vehicle.

 

[Si.LE.R1S]

Of course, if as some have suggested you use a swing out accessory that would push the carrier further away from the vehicle.

Just another thought. You could also just drop a can of large tire Fix-a-flat, but the caveat is always that some (most?) shops won’t repair a tire if this has been used. Still won’t help if the tire shreds, but when maybe the shredded tire/wheel will fit in the well! Lol.

 

[Acecorgi]

Here is my contribution to the thread. I don't quite have my r1s back yet but used a r1t in the meantime. Might be helpful for the r1t owners who are considering a hitch mount carrier. The 2in spacer works perfectly, only thing is the spare lock won't work and might just get wheel locks (though I know they aren't super effective). I plan to grind away some of the E trailer so have things more flush. Here is the one I used: 2inch spacer

 

[Si.LE.R1S]

Did the final install with:
Kuat swing arm $350
eTrailer spare mount $120
2” spacer (2-pack) $45

Final clearance between inner rim of 20” Rivian AT wheel is 3/4” to eTrailer vertical bar using 2” aluminum wheel spacer. Lea range between tire and rear wiper is 7”. Images below.

I think @909phillyman has come up with a very useable, low cost option, with the added benefit that the swing arm can accept a wide range of other accessories.

That said, I think I’m going to try something else. I sent some measurements to Rigid-Armor who does custom fabrication for hitch mount spare carriers. I am ordering a modified version of the swing down single arm Tacoma. This swing down 90 degrees to allow access to the cargo area - not as elegant as the swing arm option. But it should be more compact and if my guesstimates are correct, I will be able to close the garage. This will also be quicker to uninstall as one lightweight piece rather than the swing arm. The cost is about $550, so very similar to the current project. Will post once I get the Rigid-Armor mount.

all the parts

3/4 “ gap to AT rim

7” clearance to rear wiper


her are some pics of the Rigid-Armor product:

 

[909phillyman]

Did the final install with:
Kuat swing arm $350
eTrailer spare mount $120
2” spacer (2-pack) $45

Final clearance between inner rim of 20” Rivian AT wheel is 3/4” to eTrailer vertical bar using 2” aluminum wheel spacer. Lea range between tire and rear wiper is 7”. Images below.

I think @909phillyman has come up with a very useable, low cost option, with the added benefit that the swing arm can accept a wide range of other accessories.

That said, I think I’m going to try something else. I sent some measurements to Rigid-Armor who does custom fabrication for hitch mount spare carriers. I am ordering a modified version of the swing down single arm Tacoma. This swing down 90 degrees to allow access to the cargo area - not as elegant as the swing arm option. But it should be more compact and if my guesstimates are correct, I will be able to close the garage. This will also be quicker to uninstall as one lightweight piece rather than the swing arm. The cost is about $550, so very similar to the current project. Will post once I get the Rigid-Armor mount.

all the parts

3/4 “ gap to AT rim

7” clearance to rear wiper


her are some pics of the Rigid-Armor product:

Good, quick summary of our swing-out option! Glad it seems like it'll work out for you. I also think that you have another functional alternative with your swing-down idea. Looking forward to seeing the results of that!

 

[GreenOptimist]

There is no wobble with the Kuat hitch swing > eTrailer spare tire carrier because the eTrailer carrier does come with an anti-rattle securing pin. That pin eliminates sway/rattle and secures the connecting point between hitch/swing and carrier. I'm currently trying to source a LOCKING anti-rattle pin that works with the tire carrier, but I have not had success yet.

NOTE: If you are also looking for a locking anti-rattle locking pin, I would suggest that you not waste your time with any of the eTrailer ones because twice now they have stated that one of their pins would work with the carrier...to then be subsequently proven wrong by me, once I purchase it...at their advice. It is too much effort to get a refund on items from there...even when they're the ones that incorrectly "validated" and advised the purchase of a "compatible" pin for their own carrier. Once I'm able to find a compatible locking anti-rattle pin that works with this carrier, I'll update the thread.

Good luck!

Thanks for all the info and guidance on this thread @909phillyman! Just set up my Pivot 2 and eTrailer spare carrier today. The three pending things I'm trying to finalize are: 1) locking anti-rattle pin, 2) spare tire lock and 3) spare tire cover. Did you have any further luck finding a locking anti-rattle pin? And any recs for a spare tire lock or tire cover? Thanks!

 

[909phillyman]

Thanks for all the info and guidance on this thread @909phillyman! Just set up my Pivot 2 and eTrailer spare carrier today. The three pending things I'm trying to finalize are: 1) locking anti-rattle pin, 2) spare tire lock and 3) spare tire cover. Did you have any further luck finding a locking anti-rattle pin? And any recs for a spare tire lock or tire cover? Thanks!

Awesome!

And I have still had no luck finding a locking anti-rattle pin, and the spare tire lock that I bought doesn't work either. As far as spare tire covers, you can try either of these...and I have both:
https://a.co/d/bKZIq6J (my favorite and better quality; used for my original 22's in storage)
https://a.co/d/dSunYff (cheaper, lower quality...but used for my spare tire)

If you have any luck finding functional options for a locking anti-rattle pin and/or a spare tire lock, please let us know. Thanks!

 

[GreenOptimist]

Awesome!

And I have still had no luck finding a locking anti-rattle pin, and the spare tire lock that I bought doesn't work either. As far as spare tire covers, you can try either of these...and I have both:
https://a.co/d/bKZIq6J (my favorite and better quality; used for my original 22's in storage)
https://a.co/d/dSunYff (cheaper, lower quality...but used for my spare tire)

If you have any luck finding functional options for a locking anti-rattle pin and/or a spare tire lock, please let us know. Thanks!

Shoot. Found out first hand the issue with the locking pins. Tried the UHaul locking anti rattle pin and can confirm it does NOT work since the Etrailer is hollow but has a welded in sheath around the pin. Damn. Will continue the search!

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