Rear Swingout: Spare Tire Placement?

[gummycarbs]

I'm getting ready to build a rear bumper with swing-outs. I'm curious which side people like for their spare tire placement in daily driving. I'll have a ~33" spare on the back. My guess is that it's better to mount it on the driver's side, since I think I use the side windows more when doing a head-check on that side. Right? Wrong?

 

[WESBC]

If you are thinking a dual swing out, then right side, that way if you are swapping a spare in traffic (assuming you pulled over to the shoulder), you aren't fighting the spare off/on the side where passing traffic is.

 

[FJP971]

If you're going to offset it I would say driver's side also for visibility as you stated. I centered mine because my bike rack attaches to the spare tire mount and I didn't want the bikes hanging over the side. Without other things attached, a centered spare would also increase the visibility of your taillights.

 

[landtank]

If you are thinking a dual swing out, then right side, that way if you are swapping a spare in traffic (assuming you pulled over to the shoulder), you aren't fighting the spare off/on the side where passing traffic is.

I think most people would remove the spare while the carrier was still closed and latched.

 

[BILT4ME]

For visibility, I would place it on the Driver's side (left-US).

For daily safety, I would place it on the right (PS-US), so when I am accessing the tailgate, my swing is to the CURB, not out into traffic.

So, D. All of the above.

Center with RH hinge.

Or Left with RH hinge.

 

[Marco Lau]

I prefer Pass. side swing out, so when i am parked (parallel parking) the spare tire swings into the curb or sidewalk vs traffic. Also visibility is not bad on a LC anyways.

 

[WESBC]

I think most people would remove the spare while the carrier was still closed and latched.

You're right, I was thinking that I had to have full access to my tools in the back while they are still in the truck

 

[chap79]

I put my spare on the US passenger side and the fuel cans on the driver side. That way I can super syphon from the swingout directly into the fuel tank. No reason to remove the cans.

 

[chap79]

And isn’t the 80 always in the slow lane? More visibility if it’s on the right side.

 

[inkpot]

Right side helps counterbalance the weight of the feel on the left side.

 

[inkpot]

Fuel

 

[DancesWithMutts]

Obviously the answer is to get a RHD cruiser. Then you can put the tire behind the driver and have it swing to the curb for safety

 

[landtank]

For visibility, I would place it on the Driver's side (left-US).

For daily safety, I would place it on the right (PS-US), so when I am accessing the tailgate, my swing is to the CURB, not out into traffic.

So, D. All of the above.

Center with RH hinge.

Or Left with RH hinge.

So with the swing out on the curb and unloading the truck you walk out in traffic because there is a car parked behind you.

 

[chap79]

I think that depands on if you frequent somewhere that requires parallel parking. For me that’s not very often. And with dual swingouts it’s moot And as far as visibility, with 37’s it doesn’t matter, you can back over most things behind you , or install a backup camera.

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

Easy test. Cut out a 33" circle of newpaper. Tape it on the rear hatch where you intend the tire it to go. Drive around a while. Then change it to the other side and do the same. My preference is the driver's side regardless if your are LHD or RHD for visibility reasons when looking back. Here’s a pic above of the “Green Bean” with a 35 on the DS granted the pic was taken at an angle but you should get the idea.

 

[LINUS]

I agrre w/ @BILT4ME reply.

To me - the LS is the least of the evils as I can still see best backing up / over my shoulder with it there.

I get why some want it on the RS but for me the visibility beats any issue of load/unload or the possibility of a flat repair in a highway/traffic situation. Sure, you're "safe" but you can't see for crap - so you pretty much need a backup camara to mount on the RS.

Mine's on the LS.

 

[half k cruiser]

You will have better visibility if you mount it on the DS. However, if you want to siphon fuel it makes more sense to have the tire on the PS. It can also help balance things out a little better.

 

[ExpoMax]

Definitely center.

 

[gummycarbs]

Lots of good thoughts here. I'll try some cut-outs to simulate the tire placement while I wait for my steel to arrive.

 

[Jgunner]

Wouldnt center make the most sense? Put a reverse camera on it, less likely to bind in a tight corner when trailering AND most esthetically pleasing.