Spare tire ideas Rear mount, or ditch it all together

[glassman66]

I was very close to buying a rear spare tire carrier. I currently have it mounted next to the third row seat. After searching the subject of the spare tire woes I'm left still scratching my head on what to do.

1. Buy the swing out rear carrier http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hummer-H2-Tire-Carrier-with-drop-down-option-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ42611QQihZ010QQitem Z200066415078QQrdZ1 This is the one I have in mind.

2. Leave the tire at home, I have the air compressor option, a plug kit and I can handle a lot of problems.

3. For those that say to roof mount it with the Gobi rack, I'd love to, but that means the truck will never be garaged again, not sure if I like that.


Any opions?

[timgco]

Build a bigger garage.:D

There are pleanty of owners here that just take the tire out for daily driving and throw it back in for off roading or longer trips.

If you haven't tried to use that compressor yet to air up a tire, good luck on that. It's next to worthless IMO. But I guess in a worst case where you had to fix your tire, you could. It just takes way to long.

I myself have the tire on the rear of the truck. The older factory rear tire racks rattled and were offten having replaced handles and latches. The 05's and newer are the way to go. They are much better.

You'll have to join us in the Spring for some wheelin..... unless you don;t plan to get that truck dirty.;)

[lvs]

The kit looks pretty close to the one I had put on so I could put the 3rd row seat in. I'd make them send you a picture of the plate kit. The one that came with mine was crap. I have not had any problems with it. Mine has a lock on it so it could not be opened.

I am pretty close to ditching it as well, but I live in a rural area where there is lots of construction and I pick up a nail about twice a year. If not for that, I think I'd leave it off. I would not give up parking in the garage to put in on the roof, and if you have the compressor and fix kits, you should be OK.

Do you off-road? You will need to carry that spare when you go off-road. That is the only down side I see. If so, you may want to look at the stealth rack as you may be able to still fit in the garage with it, then just throw the spare on top when you go off-roading.

[3Hummer]

Personally myself im a big fan of the rear mounted tire look. Also if you rear mount it you get more trunk space. If your concerned about putting your car in the garage you might want to take the measurments of what it would be with the rear mounted tire to make sure its not too long to fit in the garage. If it fits i say Rear mount it!

[Arizona Hummerboy]

I am a big fan of having the tire carrier on the back of the Hummer. It help save my ass in a car acciden. I was hit right in the ass end of the Hummer by a drunk driver at 60 MPH, and the tire carrier kept the vehicle from going through the back door hatch.

[CBR_Raven]

rear mount tire carrier is the way to go...especially if you have nice tires and rims with the matching spare :D

[BlueHUMMERH2]

I like the rear mount. I think I got a prototype from someone who worked for GM, and as such, it doesn't clear my trailer's crank-jack thingy. But otherwise, I am very happy with it. I like the look. Also, I will always carry a spare because I'm afraid I won't be able to find a replacement tire or a place that can work with 35" tires.

[MONSTERMATT]

Still trying to figure out a way to "snug this spare up close to the body of my SUT in order toi make it look better and eliminate the vibrating and the shaking when on bumpy terrain heres a pic

[MONSTERMATT]

pic, any ideas?

[robb]

I took mine off and I like it better!

[CO Hummer]

I leave the rear tire inside because I can't stand rear tire carriers. I open the liftgate every day since I store my bike in the back. To0 much futzing with that stupid swing rack - it's always dirty, squeaks, etc, etc.

On occasion I need more room in the back (vacation, Moab). Then I just throw my tire on top of the Gobi.

[codeman671]

It is amazing how much the spare tire carriers have come down in the last few years. I bought one for my 03 when I first got it and it cost me a bloody fortune. It was the SMA. My 05 has the newer style oem carrier and it works slick compared to fighting the pin into the older style.

I hated having my tire inside, I could not put it on the back soon enough. The only thing that I don't like is the way the plate goes up on my tire now. My SMA had the plate down on the bumper, rear left. I used a tire cover and the overall look was better. I may still rip it off and relocate it down.

[Htothe2]

I see alot of hummer with the tire carrier off, how do u do that, is it a hrad procedure or can u do it at home, does it leave and hols or anything.

[3Hummer]

You could always try something totally out of the norm and mount it on the front, or the hood of your car! haha youd have a tire for a brush guard then!

[lennyrebel]

Still trying to figure out a way to "snug this spare up close to the body of my SUT in order toi make it look better and eliminate the vibrating and the shaking when on bumpy terrain heres a pic
Yeah that's the way they look alright. When I first got my truck I'd be walking out to it from rear sideways and it looked like the tire was sitting out in space. Still looks same but I got use to it. I've had half a dozen trucks and I tried every system and the rear carrier is best. It is a pile of weight sitting up there so I guess it will always shake a little unless you fab another bracket to gate and then it might be tough on gate. I guess it's like a wife you just gotta get use to living with it. Regards The Reb:D

[frenzy1]

I don't like the way it looks on the back of the truck. I'm gonna order a gobi roofrack and put it on my roof !! Looks rugged !

[JDLarue]

Matt,
What size tire is your spare? I tried mounting a 37x13.50x17 Toyo on my spare tire carrier and it wouldn't fit. The top was OK but the bottom of the tire stuck way out because of the over size width. Did u have that problem or is your spare the original factory 12.50?

JD

[DRTYFN]

I leave the rear tire inside because I can't stand rear tire carriers. :confused: Dee dee dee:fdance: :jump:

[timgco]

Matt,
What size tire is your spare? I tried mounting a 37x13.50x17 Toyo on my spare tire carrier and it wouldn't fit. The top was OK but the bottom of the tire stuck way out because of the over size width. Did u have that problem or is your spare the original factory 12.50?

JD

I have the a 37 13.50 17 tire on my carrier with no issues. KenP even has a 38 15somehting on his. This is on the last design tire carrier. (mid 05 and up).

[Vettster]

3. For those that say to roof mount it with the Gobi rack, I'd love to, but that means the truck will never be garaged again, not sure if I like that.
Any opions?

On my SUT, I'm seriously thinking about getting the Gobi rack for the bed cover and mounting the spare on it.
Then, I know it will fit in my garage.
As far as rear vision, I have the camera system installed. Should be no problem.

[timgco]

On my SUT, I'm seriously thinking about getting the Gobi rack for the bed cover and mounting the spare on it.
Then, I know it will fit in my garage.
As far as rear vision, I have the camera system installed. Should be no problem.

If you do this, I wouldn't mount it to the factory bed cover. I would order the mounts that go dirrectly to the factory bed rail tracks. That factory cover is a "soft core" design. Once you mount that GOBI rack to the cover you can stand on it without issues, but go run the baja and bounce the hell out of a 100lb tire mounted to it and that factory latch may not hold up to well.

The other issue that would have to be addressed would be the size of the tire is larger that the depth of the rack. Maybe a mount like they use in the back of the baja trucks would work. If it/s on an angle it may work. Extra support brackets wold be needed on the expanded metal floor of the rack... but couls be added easily IMO.

[Vettster]

If you do this, I wouldn't mount it to the factory bed cover. I would order the mounts that go dirrectly to the factory bed rail tracks. That factory cover is a "soft core" design. Once you mount that GOBI rack to the cover you can stand on it without issues, but go run the baja and bounce the hell out of a 100lb tire mounted to it and that factory latch may not hold up to well.

The other issue that would have to be addressed would be the size of the tire is larger that the depth of the rack. Maybe a mount like they use in the back of the baja trucks would work. If it/s on an angle it may work. Extra support brackets wold be needed on the expanded metal floor of the rack... but couls be added easily IMO.

Good point,
I will look into this. I agree, the factory cover rates right up there as far as I am concerned with the Hot**** windshield washer. Worthless.

[johndjmix1]

LOL. Do the H2's have factory heated washer fluid?

I took my tire off the back. Rear tire carriers are just a PITA. Every time you need to open the hatch u need to swing it open and juggle with whats in your hands. If you park on a side hill then its really a pain. Then comes the issues with trailers.

I bought a bracket to mount it inside, but never did it.....think ill just leave it in my garage.

[Vettster]

LOL. Do the H2's have factory heated washer fluid?

The 06 Limited Editions do. Well, kind of. It never has worked. I'm gonna be real pissed when it snows here. It got down to almost 70 last night.:jump:

[mikejr]

I have to second the comment about not mounting a tire directly to the hummer cover on the SUT. I was looking at my dad's SUT cover over the weekend at it reminded me of the Avalanche covers that sagged on both of my Avalanches and they didnt have the weight of a big honking tire on them. I'd avoid that at all costs.

[mikejr]

Also wanted to say that most of the rear tire carriers i have had on other vehicles have been rattletraps....the one on my 06 H2 doesnt rattle one bit....i love it! Sure its dirty and a pain in the a$$ if you are on a hill and it keeps wanting to swing back closed, but it doesnt rattle...so i am happy!

[Htothe2]

I see alot of h2s with the tire carrier off? Is it easy to do and does it leave holes on the bumper or anythig? can it be done at home or does it need to be done at the dealer?

[Htothe2]

I see alot of h2s with the tire carrier off? Is it easy to do and does it leave holes on the bumper or anythig? can it be done at home or does it need to be done at the dealer?

[ree]

Htothe2, this is because, prior to 2005 (I think) the tire was mounted inside the cargo area next to the jump seat. So most of the 2003-2004s won't have a carrier. The ones that do were added by the owners.

I can't speak for whether removing the OE swing arm carrier leaves a clean look. The one I added is different than the OE one. But were I to remove it, it would look just fine since it bolts underneath the tow loop plates