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Ideal/Best Location to mount a Full Size Spare

27234 Views 103 Replies 23 Participants Last post by  Cilles
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.


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

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I’d go with the swing away..... but I’ve been unable to locate.....
Have you considered Rigid Armor or Wilco?
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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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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.
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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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...
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...🤔.
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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.
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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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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.
I'll never understand why they didn't design the spare tire compartment so that the valve was facing up. :rolleyes:
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I'll never understand why they didn't design the spare tire compartment so that the valve was facing up. :rolleyes:
Designed by Stevie Wonder...!
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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.

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!
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Every 6 months...ooops. I guess my every week is a bit kookoo pants OCD... 🤷‍♂️
Wait, we're supposed to check the air?? ;-)
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Wait, we're supposed to check the air?? ;-)
Didn't you find a can of this in the spare tire well. I thought it came with all Passports. ;)
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This was a big concern for me coming from a 2006 CRV where my tire was on the back. We’ve had lots of discussions - Search for spare tire.

Something I found was if you go with an aftermarket tire like Michelin’s, like I did they have a 24/7 road side service, and they are much better than the continentals and OEM wheels.mso I gave up on full size spare tires.
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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...
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?
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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...
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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?
Got away with what, the industry standard?. That's the way it is in the automotive manufacturing world these days. Virtually all of the manufacturers equip their vehicles with donuts. It could be worse, here is a list of vehicles that don't come with a spare, at least not in 2017.
  • Acura NSX
  • Audi R8
  • Audi TT
  • BMW 2 Series
  • BMW 3 Series
  • BMW 4 Series
  • BMW 6 Series
  • BMW i3
  • BMW i8
  • BMW X3
  • BMW X4
  • Cadillac ATS
  • Cadillac CTS
  • Chevrolet Bolt EV
  • Chevrolet Camaro
  • Chevrolet Corvette
  • Chevrolet SS
  • Chevrolet Volt
  • Dodge Viper
  • Fiat 500
  • Fiat 500L
  • Fiat 500X
  • Ford C-Max
  • Hyundai Accent
  • Hyundai Ioniq
  • Infiniti QX30
  • Jaguar F-Type
  • Jeep Cherokee
  • Jeep Compass
  • Jeep Renegade
  • Kia Forte
  • Kia Niro
  • Kia Rio
  • Kia Soul
  • Mazda MX-5 Miata
  • Mercedes-Benz B-Class
  • Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  • Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  • Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
  • Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  • Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  • Mini Cooper Countryman
  • Mitsubishi i-MiEV
  • Nissan GT-R
  • Nissan Leaf
  • Porsche 718 Cayman
  • Porsche 911 Carrera
  • Porsche Panamera
  • Smart ForTwo
  • Tesla Model S
  • Tesla Model X
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