Ideal/Best Location to mount a Full Size Spare

I'm going with roof mount because of reasons you mention - and I get in and out of back a lot. I may not carry it (or the roof rack even) all the time, just when going out of town.

I got a Thule roof rack but Yakima is the only one who had a spare tire mounting bracket (or is the brands the other way around?). I can drill a few holes and adapt it to my roof mount but haven't yet.

I’d go with the swing away..... but I’ve been unable to locate.....

pnw_adventure said:

I've just ordered a full sized spare for my Passport. Thinking of getting a hitch mount for it (similar to the one pictured and linked below). I would probably spring for a swing away version though.

Anyone have any similar ideas, experience, or opinions about it? My Passport has the parking radar and backup camera it would likely render useless.

I wanted to avoid having it mounted on the roof, but perhaps that is the best option.


View attachment 7845

Rigid Armor Spare Tire Hitch Carrier - Honda Pilot 2016-2021

Custom Engineered by Rigid Armor, the long awaited Honda Pilot Tire Carrier for the 3rd Generation 2016-2021 model. Designed to maintain structure strength when hitting the trails or rough terrain, this carrier will now be release with a additional 2” hitch insert, in order to not loose the...

offbeatoverland.com

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Do you ever plan to tow? Makes it tough if you do. I'm going with a basket and tire carrier. To make it easier a foldable step to reach the tire easier. Like the Moki but folds for easier storage.


This is the planned basket. No need for cross bars, easy on and off plus several options such as tire carrier, shovel/axe carrier, high lift jack carrier and light mounts.

Blue jean said:

I’d go with the swing away..... but I’ve been unable to locate.....

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Have you considered Rigid Armor or Wilco?

If only there is a company who could make a custom cargo floor cover to raise it a little bit about 3 inches. Full spare could fit on the area where the donut is.

Mikh_ said:

If only there is a company who could make a custom cargo floor cover to raise it a little bit about 3 inches. Full spare could fit on the area where the donut is.

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I't not just the height, its the diameter, a full size tire is much larger than the donut hole (lol) and thus will intrude into the storage and sub-woofer areas... The only option for inside is to place in on top of the cargo cover...

stevenD said:

I't not just the height, its the diameter, a full size tire is much larger than the donut hole (lol) and thus will intrude into the storage and sub-woofer areas... The only option for inside is to place in on top of the cargo cover...

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That would be my choice. Yeah it takes up space, however, who wants to mount it to the roof, expose it to the elements and open it up to theft. Not to mention the complete PIA of lifting it. I would rather purchase a top box and gain some storage that's at least weather resistant and lockable. If you think about it are you really loosing that much storage space? I see it as more of an inconvenience moving it to access the under storage. Now, if a split design on the cargo cover were an option...🤔.

I put a full size spare to replace the doughnut on my 2nd gen Pilot (underneath the body) The only exposed to the element issues I have seen encountered is the lift cable freezing/rusting. After having to drop that thing and drag it out to use it, I think I would prefer it on the roof. Inside would be ideal, but that doesn't seem to be a convenient option with the passport.

Checking the air pressure (60 lbs.) in my spare, every 6 months, is difficult.
The plastic surround is tight against the tire and I have to fold down the seats, to be able to wiggle the tire out.
It's at this point that I can flip over the tire and access the valve stem.

carpayments4life said:

Checking the air pressure (60 lbs.) in my spare, every 6 months, is difficult.
The plastic surround is tight against the tire and I have to fold down the seats, to be able to wiggle the tire out.
It's at this point that I can flip over the tire and access the valve stem.

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I'll never understand why they didn't design the spare tire compartment so that the valve was facing up.

Nipper Dog said:

I'll never understand why they didn't design the spare tire compartment so that the valve was facing up.

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Designed by Stevie Wonder...!

carpayments4life said:

Checking the air pressure (60 lbs.) in my spare, every 6 months, is difficult.
The plastic surround is tight against the tire and I have to fold down the seats, to be able to wiggle the tire out.
It's at this point that I can flip over the tire and access the valve stem.

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Every 6 months...ooops. I guess my every week is a bit kookoo pants OCD... 🤷‍♂️
But, I'll tell you it's absolutely a royal PIA to go and need it only to find out it's under inflated/or flat. I would safely guess, most reading this check it once a year, maybe.

That hitchgate solo looks so good!

CHEFERMAN65 said:

Every 6 months...ooops. I guess my every week is a bit kookoo pants OCD... 🤷‍♂️

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Wait, we're supposed to check the air?? ;-)

stevenD said:

I't not just the height, its the diameter, a full size tire is much larger than the donut hole (lol) and thus will intrude into the storage and sub-woofer areas... The only option for inside is to place in on top of the cargo cover...

Click to expand...

I just don't get how Honda got away with an undersized spare in the first place.

These modern AWD cars do not function properly with different diameter tires on the ground. I wonder if I HAVE to drive on the spare for 100 miles or more, (which I should be able to) if it will damage the drive train?

I had a 1985 Prelude that came with a mini-spare, BUT Honda placed it in a full size space, I bought a full size Honda wheel and when I purchased new tires, I kept the best of my old tires as a spare...

So once upon a time, Honda DID do the right thing...