No Spare Tire or Alternative Mounting?

Hey guys!

I'm curious what your take is on running without a spare? I do a lot of pretty big trips with a group of guys who never run spares (jeeps, Toyota's etc). They all have compressors, plug/patch kits, and a spare tube, and are running MTs, and they feel confident that they can make it out if there is ever a flat tire issue. I believe them as well. Obviously there is more risk, but how often do you flat any way?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm having a lot of trouble finding a spot to mount my spare. I'm currently running my 265/75r16 in the stock location, but I'm getting 35's in the nearish future, so that will no longer be possible or practical. I do not want a swing out on my dclb, for a plethora of reasons, and hauling a 35 on to the roof seems like a terrible idea...

That leaves me with putting the spare in the bed against the front, which would be a bummer to lose that bed space.

So my question is: do you have any alternative spare tire mounting ideas, or think that running without a spare as long as you have as many other fail safes as possible is okay?

Edit for typos

 

I would not want to be without a spare.

 

MUCH better to have it and not need it, then need it, and not have it. A torn out sidewall or major hole is more then a patch kit or even a tube would be able to handle and you wouldn't want to be out in the boonies and have to either walk back, or trash the rim to get to civilization.

 

I leave my 35 in the bed of my truck. When I need the bed space I bolt it to the side rails vertically. I know our bed rails aren't the strongest so I only bolt the tire vertically when I require more bed space.

 

It's better to have it and not need it. You can run a smaller spare on the front in 2wd without risking damage - it'll just pull to one side.

You can also modify the spare tire carrier to wedge a 35" in there if you don't have the factory hitch.

 

My spare 33" is mounted to the bed rails in the back of my pickup using a ratchet strap. I would never, ever, leave city limits without my spare tire and Hi-Lift.

On a highway? Maybe - if you want to pay the tow bill.

On a trail someplace? You're now stranded if your tire blows out.

 

In 40 years I have only needed a spare tire twice. Once was a rock cut on a D rated tire, and once was a blowout on C rated tire that was way overloaded. Every other flat has been handled by plugs. Since I started running E rated tires 6 years ago, I have not even had a flat! Carrying a spare is almost like carrying a spare transmission,....just in case! I think a lot of paranoia still holds over from the days of bias ply tires. I still do carry a spare, but honestly, I don't know why. They are a big damn heavy thing to lug around. If I did a lot of rock work, it would probably make more sense.

 

Always run a full size matching spare.

Get a bumper with a swing out carrier, or throw it in the bed on a tire mount. Always run a full size matching spare.

 

What if you damage a rim?

 

I carried my spare bolted to the bedrails, then just in the bed when I didn't need to haul any extra gear. I now carry it on a swing out. You can fit a 255/85/16 aired down in the stock location. My buddy has his spare on a BAMF tire carrier that fits above the bed. I'll try to find a picture. I have seen guys run a basket in the bed, mounted to bed bars as well. You just have to get creative. That being said, I wouldn't want to get caught, without a spare. I have seen some bad sidewall failures that would have left people stranded even if they had a patch kit.

 

Spare tire has a rim.

 

I think that was his point...

 

Do you off-road? Or just highway?

I've had a sidewall puncture/laceration while wheeling in SNOW (presumably a hidden rock). When I was in Moab back in June a guy got a sidewall puncture on the Top of the World trail. The tire wouldn't keep air in it long enough to make it 1/4 of the way up/down the trail so it had to be changed out for the spare.

Blowouts/punctures are less likely on maintained roads compared to driving out in the sticks. Totally different worlds.

 

I'm assuming it was as well. My comment was more for the OP than the poster.

 

I have a DCLB as well. No tire gate because the truck barely fits in my garage as it is. I'm only on 33's. And at 5'6" tall the idea of placing the full size spare and matching rim on the roof seems like a real son of a bitch. But mounting it in the bed takes up useful bed space. Ultimately though, I'd much, much rather have a spare than not have one. LOL

 

Me thinks offroad
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/overland-outfitters-presents-the-biz-build.447519/

FWIW
I've had a sidewall puncture on a easy trail (2 of 5). And it wasn't just me that night. The 4 other rigs behind me did as well.

 

I've never been in a wreck but I still always buckle up.
I'm with Team Overkill: better to be prepared and not need it, especially when out on trails.

 

I was actually asking @badger whether his commentary included off-road or not.

 

Here is my buddy's set up. @05TacomaORE He is running 35's but has a 33" spare up there right now. It's an old style BAMF tire carrier. I like it because it leaves room for gear underneath.