Protect your under bed spare - Cheap/free mod

I've had my 2009 for a little over a year, but it looks like the previous owner may have never taken down the spare. When I needed to use it a few weeks ago, it came down with these huge welts. It did not look safe. I swapped the tire for the cheapest 265/75R16 they had available. Before the new one went back up, I added some weather stripping to the under bed frame to help protect the tire. You can see the wear marks on the frame from the tire.

Hopefully this helps. Total cost, $4.97

 

Great idea. Is that enough padding to make a difference?

 

I think so. I think it also helps not to crank it down super tight.

 

I like it! May do mine this weekend.

 

I used a flat section of scrap rubber from Ace Hardware. Cut a slit in it and slipped it around the lifting chain.

 

I've seen all sorts of shit, cut garden hose and coolant hoses. They have all left an impression on the tire.