Over-sized Spare Tire Woes....

So I learned a hard lesson with my last truck in needing a spare tire when using over-sized tires, which was that I need to have one LOL. At the time, nobody had 37's on hand and I had to be towed because of a flat tire

This time around, I have a spare tire and wheel but I now face the challenge of mounting it somewhere. The 37x13.50 won't fit underneath. I don't want it mounted in the bed because A) off to one side looks goofy B) up against the window and I lose all my visibility C) laying in the bed and I lose all my space (CrewMax problems). I need my bed space, especially as we spend a large portion of the summer camping and towing my camper.

As I see it, I have the following choices:

1) Bed Rack mounted cab height (so I don't lose visibility) with the tire on top of it
2) Pre-Runner style Wilco tailgate so I still have some visibility when mounted
3) Roof Rack with the tire up on top


Anyone have any other thoughts or advice? I have been racking my brain on this for weeks.

 

Someone was selling there tailgate one, few days ago

 

Yeah, but it's the vertical mount and I'm not really digging the looks of that (i know its functional), plus i imagine the tire takes up a lot of visibility as it sits upright.

 

Tire gate is the only suggestion I have. I'm strapping one to the bed for desert trips. I'd kinda like to have a swing gate for mountain wheeling.

 

I think mounted upright off to one side is your best solution. You may need to just get past the fact that you think it looks goofy. It’s out of the way for the most part. Or just get a bed rack. Do you plan on any type of bed cover?

 

Here is another option. But it does leave your tailgate kind of open for stuff to fall out. But something like a storage divider could be a good solution.
https://www.wilcooffroad.com/shop/tiregate-prerunner-toyota-2/

 

I don't have any plans to cover the bed. I really am leaning towards the picture you posted @15whtrd (pre-runner style) - but do worry about the open-ness. Maybe I could get some plates made to cover the gaps, now that would be pretty sweet.

 

Whatever you decide I’d like to see some pictures of the final product. I always thought bed mounted spare tires like this looked really cool.

 

You could put some unistrut on the top of the besides and then do two cross pieces to attach them and now you can put tire on top of the strut and strap it down. That’s my plan with my kB voodoo rack. The tonneau cover brackets lift it the perfect height where the strut can fit under it and makes the rack more rigid by attaching two L brackets and a bolt and nut through it. Not sure if that makes sense to you but when I finish my rack I will post pics.

 

He’s also trying not to block his view out the back window. If I’m understanding your description right.

 

See the gap under the rack? That’s where the strut can go and now you have the full bed. Another form of bed stiffeners. Lol. Not sure if that will help or make the besides worse, only one way to find out

 

Oh ya. That’s right. Damn.

 

It probably wouldn’t bother me to block my view. My last two trucks had a topper with tinted windows. I was used to driving by braille.

 

I love and hate my front tinted windows. Love them during the day but I have a terrible depth perception at night and the tinted glass kills me. Can’t see for shit on the sides. I don’t mind blocking my view as I drive a ford transit 250 with no windows for the past 3 years. So I just depend on my mirrors mostly.

 

Yeah, I have a heck of a time seeing behind me between the 8" lift and tinted windows. I heavily rely on my ability to see behind me when backing up anywhere.

 

Yeah, same thing in my work truck. Mirrors only.

 

Well, i went ahead and ordered the Pre-Runner Wilco gate. It should ship end of this week to me. I verified with Wilco first on availability as I don't want to deal with long lead times. Next week should be fun!!

 

Now I got to figure out how and where to relocate my backup camera to!

 

I was thinking about that too David. Looking at the Wilco and knowing the camera wires exit from the center of the bed, I think I would route it back into the exit holes to hide it and then along to the right side. Then possibly drill a hole into the Wilco tubes, insert camera wires and mount camera on the tubes. Sorry ... just thinking out loud. LOL

Ive been eyeing this tailgate but it is a pretty penny. Its so bad ass though.

 

Yeah, i will definitely have to take some time and do it right. I'd love if I could run the wires through the tiregate tube, versus having it exposed along the side of one of the tubes. Worst case, i'v seen some people mount it below on the bumper. I've also got to keep in mind this gate is reversible. Maybe the bumper is the best spot... HMMM!

 

True ... obviously the camera will be mounted in relation to how far the rear sticks out so it makes sense to mount on bumper and reverse the tailgate so it mounts inward.

 

Just for the record I hated my pre-runner TireGate.

37 problems haha

 

You had the straight up and down style, right. It wouldn’t clear properly that’s why I didn’t suggest it for him LOL

 

Nope had the pre-runner style that leans it in or out. Nowhere to mount the backup camera, rattles alot, things fall out of the bed, if on an incline it swings around but I think they may have fixed that part with a pin to hold it open. Missed my tailgate since I used it as a work space and table while out camping and off-roading. Also blocks more of your view than you realize.

 

I'm not worried about rattles and I think I've got the backup camera part figured out. I also hope to get some panels made and tacked on to seal the gaps better between the bars. That should hit all my needs/desires.

 

You might get tired of the rattles - I said the same thing. I tried a couple different things with the backup camera but the bumper was too low for me and the view wasn't the same - since i sometimes switched it from leaning in and out, made it difficult to mount on the tiregate. Thought about the panels but couldn't find a way to attach them that I liked since it is round tubing without welding tabs. I do suggest you get bed stiffeners - that is a lot of weight and feel its part of the reason I am having issues with my bed. Mine is in a pile of truck parts in my attic at the moment. Hopefully you like it - just giving you my feedback.

 

Appreciate the feedback. I guess we'll see. I've read some good and some bad reviews but I guess it all depends on the person and their uses who give the reviews. Hoping for the best!

 

I like that and probably look cool vertical mount on outside

 

I have a wilco Vertical tire gate im selling. on the truck less than 2 weeks. pm me if your interested. I LOVED it..but it wouldn't work with my rear bumper

 

Off the truck and ready to ship.