33" Tire in Cargo Area?

[germ79]

Hey, guys! I'm finally hoping to purchase some wheels and tires. I'm looking at doing 285/70/17's but understand the spare won't fit underneath. I don't have the money to get a spare tire hitch rack right now, so was wondering if I could fit the spare in the cargo area? Ideally it would fit off the to side next to the window. Is that possible?

Alternatively, I wonder if I could just lay it down flat and then build a platform around it? I'd like to maximize my cargo space with it in there. Please advise!

Thank you!

 

[jdam]

Yup. With seats in the back and without. Just be careful ratcheting it down - you'll want it pushed as far forward as you can.

 

[germ79]

Yup. With seats in the back and without. Just be careful ratcheting it down - you'll want it pushed as far forward as you can.

Thank you so much for the reply and pics! With the seats still in, how do you secure it?

 

[jdam]

Thank you so much for the reply and pics! With the seats still in, how do you secure it?

I used a ratchet strap on the stock tie downs. I figured as an interim solution it was fine - it can't move fore/aft because it's basically the entire space between the seat and the door.

 

[cfsds]

285/70/17s may actually fit with rear KDSS spacers and no hitch. Just FYI.

 

[r2m]

Just a suggestion, maybe strap the spare tire on the drivers side so you don't lose so much of the right rear view. The view right behind your head isn't as big deal as your right rear view and left rear view down your vehicle line.

 

[RadoTracks]

Here is my setup. I find this works better for me in maximizing usable space. I use turnbuckles to tie it into the existing tie downs.

 

[r2m]

Here is my setup. I find this works better for me in maximizing usable space. I use turnbuckles to tie it into the existing tie downs. View attachment 3776718

You could twist the turnbuckles till they bear down on the spare tire to hold it in place and not need the side boards. Being a round surface, if you don't torque the turnbuckles too much you should still have a flat surface and the spare tire would be secure since it'd be sandwiched between the board and floor bed.

 

[RadoTracks]

You could twist the turnbuckles till they bear down on the spare tire to hold it in place and not need the side boards. Being a round surface, if you don't torque the turnbuckles too much you should still have a flat surface and the spare tire would be secure since it'd be sandwiched between the board and floor bed.

Good idea! I landed on this setup because it allows for the tire to be removed with out taking anything else out of the cargo area. The tire also slides in and out easily on the wood when I do my 5 tire rotation...which i just did this weekend! I also keep my tool kit and emergency bag in the space around the tire. Access to the tool kit is from the middle with the seat folded down.

 

[germ79]

@RadoTracks this is such a good idea! Did you just make it squared off or did you actually contour it to the back? I appreciate you sharing all this info!

Edit: Now that I'm thinking about this, it would almost have to be squared off if you want to be able to pull it out!

I've never used those turnbuckles - do you have to reach back and loosen all of them up when you want to get the tire out? Do you just do that from the front?

 

[r2m]

@RadoTracks this is such a good idea! Did you just make it squared off or did you actually contour it to the back? I appreciate you sharing all this info!

Edit: Now that I'm thinking about this, it would almost have to be squared off if you want to be able to pull it out!

I've never used those turnbuckles - do you have to reach back and loosen all of them up when you want to get the tire out? Do you just do that from the front?

You can have a contoured board/shelf. To remove it, lift up one side and it'll come out. As long as you can dip the low side, lower than the tire, it should come out easily. Regarding the the turnbuckles, dropping the middle seats will give access to the forward tie-downs.

 

[germ79]

You can have a contoured board/shelf. To remove it, lift up one side and it'll come out. As long as you can dip the low side, lower than the tire, it should come out easily. Regarding the the turnbuckles, dropping the middle seats will give access to the forward tie-downs.

That makes sense - I just don't have any experience with turnbuckles. Do they drill into each board or attach via a bolt from the top/bottom? Assuming you'd have to detach those first before you take the top off, right? I guess my issue is I have never used those! Haha! Thanks, @r2m!

 

[Cold Iron]

That makes sense - I just don't have any experience with turnbuckles. Do they drill into each board or attach via a bolt from the top/bottom? Assuming you'd have to detach those first before you take the top off, right? I guess my issue is I have never used those! Haha! Thanks, @r2m!

Wut?! Turnbuckles are up there with duct tape! You can get them with hooks on both ends, eye and a hook, or eyes on both.

I use them to hold down a large Tractor Supply box in both my buggy as a seat for squad mates shooting sporting clays

Same box in the trailer to store 4 5 gallon Midwest gas cans for remote areas. Again with turnbuckles.

I use Spring Snap Hook Carabiners between the turnbuckles and hold downs. Also eye bolts on the box reinforced with steel plate behind the eye bolts.

Next up we should discuss the value of endless loop ratchet straps for hold downs...

I use them to hold down the shelf which holds the topper on my dog box in the Trail Boss. They run through eye bolts at each corner. The middle sag is intentional or I can't get the dog crates in it. It is reinforced and supported with a piece of all thread rod below it.

 

[r2m]

That makes sense - I just don't have any experience with turnbuckles. Do they drill into each board or attach via a bolt from the top/bottom? Assuming you'd have to detach those first before you take the top off, right? I guess my issue is I have never used those! Haha! Thanks, @r2m!

Turnbuckles:
For the bottom/floorboard in the back, there are already chrome plated rectangle "tie-downs".
For your plywood board sitting on top of your tire, use eye-bolts going through the plywood with fender washers on top of the plywood. The fender washers will distribute some of the load and keep the eye-bolts from pulling through your plywood.
I suggest using a pretty thick sheet of plywood, 3/4" to 1" for the 'shelf' so when you tighten down the turnbuckles (not TOO much) you are not pulling down the corners of the plywood shelf.

 

[germ79]

Wut?! Turnbuckles are up there with duct tape! You can get them with hooks on both ends, eye and a hook, or eyes on both.

I use them to hold down a large Tractor Supply box in both my buggy as a seat for squad mates shooting sporting clays



Same box in the trailer to store 4 5 gallon Midwest gas cans for remote areas. Again with turnbuckles.



I use Spring Snap Hook Carabiners between the turnbuckles and hold downs. Also eye bolts on the box reinforced with steel plate behind the eye bolts.

Next up we should discuss the value of endless loop ratchet straps for hold downs...



I use them to hold down the shelf which holds the topper on my dog box in the Trail Boss. They run through eye bolts at each corner. The middle sag is intentional or I can't get the dog crates in it. It is reinforced and supported with a piece of all thread rod below it.

I love everything about this!!

 

[germ79]

@r2m A whole new world has been opened up to me! Thanks for the video!

 

[Hiluxforever]

Here is mine the second top piece is from when I first installed it, I ended up moving it about half a foot back and still need to adjust that piece to fit. Works great, dogs love it on road trips. I still want a swing out, eventually, though.

I thought I had pictures after I moved it, but I dont.

 

[Hehena]

I must be the only one concerned about having a seventy pound projectile in the cabin should an accident happen.

Not that there's necessarily a good solution for this.

 

[Hiluxforever]

I am satisfied with my solution as both a carpenter and an engineer. I have been using it for 18 months. Been on hundred of trail runs as I used to hit trails daily in Iowa.

Also my tire/wheel combo is 90 lbs.

 

[r2m]

I must be the only one concerned about having a seventy pound projectile in the cabin should an accident happen.

Not that there's necessarily a good solution for this.

From an engineer with a masters degree, having it sandwiched with a board and four turnbuckles, one at each corner, it ain't go'n nowhere, even in a roll over.
But you have a point, looking at the "yard sale" roll overs on some these videos, it's amazing more folks haven't been hurt.