Spare tire mount

[jsbihn]

Hey all,
I am curious about this.
I see the factory spare tire mount as a swing rig that is attached to the rear bumper. And I have seen other aftermarket setups like that also.

So why hasnt anyone mounted the spare directly to the rear hatch?
I have seen plenty of other SUV's around with them factory mounted to the rear hatch or door, so why cant we?

Has anyone tried it?
Can the hydraulics of the hatch not support the tire weight?
I understand that the handle would be blocked, but that is just a reposition or rewiring of the release mechanism (maybe even setting it up as a remote actuator?)

Any comments?

[guruerror]

Too heavy...might work if the door swung left or right like the H3s. I'm pretty sure my spare weights in at 118 lbs...if memory serves correct. Hell if I wanna lift that twice a day...LOL!

[jsbihn]

Originally Posted by guruerror

Too heavy...might work if the door swung left or right like the H3s. I'm pretty sure my spare weights in at 118 lbs...if memory serves correct. Hell if I wanna lift that twice a day...LOL!

What about extra hydraulics?
Just wondering is that what is keeping it from being mounting or is that your person opinion?

[guruerror]

Well...I'd have to say its my 'personal opinion' based upon the fact that I don't need to put 100 lbs of pressure on the hatch when I pull it closed.

No doubt that you could make it hold the weight with stiffer/more hydraulics (or a broom stick), but then you have to think about where you're going to mount it on the door. I would assume that most vehicles that sport the tire mount on the back door (H3s, FJs, LRs, old CRVs, etc.) have reinforcement built in behind the sheet metal of the door to support the added weight. You can't just drill a couple holes in the hatch and bolt a mount up and expect the sheet metal to hold the 100+ lbs...especially on the trail.

[Indy]

The factory spare tire mount is heavy duty and is one unit with the tow hooks....so you can imagine how much weight it can carry. The liftgate is sheetmetal and in order for a stock tire to fit, it will block the entire rear window, not to mention that it will probably shake the rear liftgate off. Only vehicles with a side opening rear gate will have them mounted on the door. The 2005+ factory H2 mounts are well engineered and work really well. No shakes or rattles and it closes and opens easy.

[Z06RB]

Originally Posted by guruerror

Well...I'd have to say its my 'personal opinion' based upon the fact that I don't need to put 100 lbs of pressure on the hatch when I pull it closed.

No doubt that you could make it hold the weight with stiffer/more hydraulics (or a broom stick), but then you have to think about where you're going to mount it on the door. I would assume that most vehicles that sport the tire mount on the back door (H3s, FJs, LRs, old CRVs, etc.) have reinforcement built in behind the sheet metal of the door to support the added weight. You can't just drill a couple holes in the hatch and bolt a mount up and expect the sheet metal to hold the 100+ lbs...especially on the trail.

Exactly