Deflated spare tyre

[Triplezed3]

Hi there,

I am running 810mm diameter tyres. Need a solution for a spare tyre. Not keen on the expense of a spare wheel carrier and don’t want to put the spare on the roof rack. Does anyone keep a deflated spare underneath? I have an onboard air compressor so inflating would not be an issue.

Anything I need to know about? Or is it a bad idea?

[John_D4]

It’s no problem to keep the spare deflated. I’m running 285 60 18 which won’t fit unless it’s deflated.

[Triplezed3]

It’s no problem to keep the spare deflated. I’m running 285 60 18 (tel:285 60 18) which won’t fit unless it’s deflated.

thanks John. So you didn’t have to go for a smaller or narrower tyre? Your 285/60/18 fit in deflated?

[PhilipA]

VW Touaregs have a deflated space saver tyre.
The rigmarole to change a tyre on them is amazing and depends on lots of steps.
Just be sure your compressor is in good nick.

Regards PhilipA
amusing anecdote . One of my friends has one of those incredibly heavy crossover things with not one but two big spares on the back. He plans to ditch both and carry a pressure can of gum up stuff so he can fit a bike rack.
So wrong in so many ways.

[Triplezed3]

VW Touaregs have a deflated space saver tyre.
The rigmarole to change a tyre on them is amazing and depends on lots of steps.
Just be sure your compressor is in good nick.

Regards PhilipA
amusing anecdote . One of my friends has one of those incredibly heavy crossover things with not one but two big spares on the back. He plans to ditch both and carry a pressure can of gum up stuff so he can fit a bike rack.
So wrong in so many ways.

Yeah, the spare tyre is not easy to get to underneath a fridge, portable battery and gear but the high price of the rear bar swingaway and the fact that I’m not entirely keen on having to move the tyre every time I want to open the rear, is making me look into alternatives. I’ve not had to change a tyre in 8 years **touch wood** which is why I’m leaning towards the deflated spare.

If any suggestions, I’m all ears :)

[ramblingboy42]

why do people let simple actions bother them?

I had swingaway spare on my old pathfinder which was a family vehicle requiring regular opening of the rear door. two movements instead of one. easy

the D2 is similar story with spare mounted to the door but never a problem or effort involved. never thought about it on both vehicles.

swingaway spare would be one of my first options on any read doored vehicle I would own.

[Triplezed3]

why do people let simple actions bother them?

I had swingaway spare on my old pathfinder which was a family vehicle requiring regular opening of the rear door. two movements instead of one. easy

the D2 is similar story with spare mounted to the door but never a problem or effort involved. never thought about it on both vehicles.

swingaway spare would be one of my first options on any read doored vehicle I would own.

thanks fella. I prefer no action action to simple action. But thanks for your input.

[DieselLSE]

It's potential gain versus potential loss. Sure, the Rijidij (and only get this one for the D4) rear wheel carrier needs to be moved aside whenever you need to open the tailgate, and the loss is in the extra steps you need to take for access (and, I suppose, the cost of about $1.5k and the nerves required to take an angle grinder to your car!). But look at the gains. Firstly, removing and replacing the spare wheel with the carrier is so much easier and cleaner than farting about under the car. Secondly, you free up space for a second fuel tank (think Brown Davis 87L or 108L) or perhaps a water tank.
But, to a certain extent, you can have your cake and eat it, too. The swing away section of the carrier can be removed quite easily, leaving just the vertical stub axle which comes with a screw on cover and looks like an antenna base. If you "never have a flat" around town (or have a TPMS system which warns you of impending doom) then this is a viable option and you put the carrier back on for trips.

[Triplezed3]

It's potential gain versus potential loss. Sure, the Rijidij (and only get this one for the D4) rear wheel carrier needs to be moved aside whenever you need to open the tailgate, and the loss is in the extra steps you need to take for access (and, I suppose, the cost of about $1.5k and the nerves required to take an angle grinder to your car!). But look at the gains. Firstly, removing and replacing the spare wheel with the carrier is so much easier and cleaner than farting about under the car. Secondly, you free up space for a second fuel tank (think Brown Davis 87L or 108L) or perhaps a water tank.
But, to a certain extent, you can have your cake and eat it, too. The swing away section of the carrier can be removed quite easily, leaving just the vertical stub axle which comes with a screw on cover and looks like an antenna base. If you "never have a flat" around town (or have a TPMS system which warns you of impending doom) then this is a viable option and you put the carrier back on for trips.

thanks for the input. Some very good pointers there. I’ve got a D3 and was thinking the Terrafirma one. Same price as the Rijidij. But will probably stick with the deflated tyre for now. If I suddenly start getting flat tyres all the time, I’ll probably bite the bullet.

[John_D4]

thanks John. So you didn’t have to go for a smaller or narrower tyre? Your 285/60/18 fit in deflated?

Yes it definitely fits. It hasn’t changed the departure angle and I’ve really had no issues with it.

Plus it’s cheaper than a swing away carrier
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220302/82bad7c182ae6cdaa26eb045a2edd91f.jpg

[Triplezed3]

Yes it definitely fits. It hasn’t changed the departure angle and I’ve really had no issues with it.

Plus it’s cheaper than a swing away carrier
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220302/82bad7c182ae6cdaa26eb045a2edd91f.jpg

Much appreciated John. Was in two minds before - not anymore.

BTW, she’s got a very nice looking rear end ;)

[John_D4]

Much appreciated John. Was in two minds before - not anymore.

BTW, she’s got a very nice looking rear end ;)

Yes, it’s a nice tight butt isn’t it

[Ghost-Who-Walks]

Yes, it’s a nice tight butt isn’t it

I particularly like the cutout of the cover over the trailer plug. It's an annoyance (removing/replacing that cover), but have to say that I've never thought of cutting it before!!! [biggrin]

So simple!

[ADMIRAL]

Hi there,

I am running 810mm diameter tyres. Need a solution for a spare tyre. Not keen on the expense of a spare wheel carrier and don’t want to put the spare on the roof rack. Does anyone keep a deflated spare underneath? I have an onboard air compressor so inflating would not be an issue.

Anything I need to know about? Or is it a bad idea?

My current D4 has the swingaway carrier as I also have an additional fuel tank underneath. In my experience your options are quite limited if you are not prepared to go for a carrier. In previous lives, I have carried spares on a roofrack, and I would advise strongly against pursuing any options up there. The wheel rim combinations are just too heavy to safely remove or replace. Invariably, you will end up damaging the vehicle ( as the wheel rim bounces back at you ) or yourself. I am too old to go clambering around on roofracks, but even younger fitter people are at risk doing this.

If you are prepared to sacrifice internal storage space, look at a vertical rack in the rear cargo area. A roll in rack looks and works well. You just lose space. Another option is don't carry a complete spare, just the tyre. Your call, but I have carried a spare carcass on a roof rack, and it presents few issues compared to a rim/tyre combo. In remote travel I have found getting the right size tyre is the issue a lot of the time. Most farms and small towns have tyre changing gear, and if you have a spare carcass , a carton will normally get a you a free changeover. ( i have never tried one of the manual do it yourself lever options. Watched plenty of people struggle with them though )
Around town with just a carcass. Mmmm not ideal, but you generally have access to tyres and dealers etc in metro situations. Other options should include a good repair kit, and review your jacking options. ( it can be quite difficult to get a jack under the vehicle on rough or loose terrain ).

If you are towing, that opens up other options for carrying spares, just watch the weight and placement.

[John_D4]

I particularly like the cutout of the cover over the trailer plug. It's an annoyance (removing/replacing that cover), but have to say that I've never thought of cutting it before!!! [biggrin]

So simple!

Have to confess, I’d originally cut it to fit over the rear hitch but I didn’t realise that I hadn’t left enough plastic to make the 2 halves stable and it broke. So I tidied up the break and left just the 1/2 on.

[John_D4]

I’ve thought about going down the long range tank line also. But realistically I haven’t so far found anywhere that I can’t manage without 2 jerry cans. If I’m going remote I’ll almost always have the camper which I can put 2 Jerry cans on and at a pinch I could also put 2 or 3 in the D4 rear. For me (everyone is different) I can’t justify the expense of a Rear carrier and a tank for the 1 time every 2 years that I need 60-100lt of fuel that I can’t get from some remote fuel station. Just my personal thought tho, not trying to open a can of worms

[DieselLSE]

I’ve thought about going down the long range tank line also. But realistically I haven’t so far found anywhere that I can’t manage without 2 jerry cans. If I’m going remote I’ll almost always have the camper which I can put 2 Jerry cans on and at a pinch I could also put 2 or 3 in the D4 rear. For me (everyone is different) I can’t justify the expense of a Rear carrier and a tank for the 1 time every 2 years that I need 60-100lt of fuel that I can’t get from some remote fuel station. Just my personal thought tho, not trying to open a can of worms
Perfectly logical, John. And well explained. My desire for the long range tanks harkens back to my Series days, wandering around the Vic high country in a SWB with a 10gal tank. My LWB SIII came with dual 16gal tanks and I just loved the freedom of not even remotely worrying about fuel. My V8 Rangie LSE really needed a long range tank as the petrol gauge would literally fall before your eyes in low range and when I converted it to diesel the range literally doubled overnight!
So, for the D4, I asked Brown Davis to manufacture a more streamlined additional tank to give me more exit clearance than their 108L version (which offers the same clearance as the spare tyre) and they came up with an 87L version which is now available from them.
I just love being able to fill up both tanks and not have to worry about fuel until the rear tank is empty and the main tank is getting low. I rarely need to stop for fuel on a trip and I simply drop by Costco to fuel up when I'm back in Melbourne. I can use the the Costco hi-flow bowser, too, to avoid the queue (but you have to feather it to reduce the flow to normal).

[Chris_Falcon]

Hi Triplezed3,
I run 265/65r18 so 803mm tyres and keep my spare under the D4. It is mostly deflated; I keep it around 8 to 10psi so less risk of popping it off the bead if I overestimate the departure angle on the car [biggrin]
Yes, it is a little bit of a struggle to get the tyre in place, but like you, I haven't had to use the spare over the 30,000 k's I have travelled with this set-up.
I do have to drop it out if I want to put the tow hitch in place and so I tow without a spare. For me that is fine because it is only for a quick trip to the big green box or the tip. If I was towing off-road or touring I would put a Mitch hitch on the car.