Do you carry a "full Size" spare tire?

[El Cid]

This topic was moved here from the 4xGuard thread on new products to help keep THAT thread on topic!

The question was; what products would you like to see for the Commander?

The first answer as seen in post #2 was a swing away tire carrier which lead to the discussion of why do you need full size spare?

Please go to the original thread in the 4xGurad section to suggest future product ideas.

[WanderingTs]

Rear swing away tire carrier, not blocking the hitch, or with DOT rated hitch.

[El Cid]

Rear swing away tire carrier, not blocking the hitch, or with DOT rated hitch.

Can I ask why you want one? There's no real need for a full-size spare tire on these systems, so is it to convert the spare space into a secondary fuel tank or storage area or something?

[NeilSmith]

when you have oversized tires that wont fit in the tire well, it would be nice to have a spare the same size tire and same wheel . the computer systems wont like you driving with a stock size spare and 3 oversized tires.

[07JeepXK]

Im assuming he wants one because his spare tire wont fit underneith the vehicle due to it being larger then the oem tire size.

Is there any chance 4xguard can make a skid plate for the front suspension similar to the Mopar skid? The Mopar skid's are really thin and mine hasn't held up to well over the past few off road trips.

[El Cid]

Regarding the tire issue: We've talked at length with one of the lead Jeep engineers behind these 4wd systems about just this. He has told us that the tire-size difference issue is essentially a myth. It may have been true in the old days, but a full-size spare isn't necessary with these. Unlike a simple mechanical system, the computer can adjust on the fly to account for the diameter difference.

Would you want to drive 100 miles at high speed without a match? No. Definitely not (for many reasons). But for limping out to get a repair done? No problem. We don't carry a full-size match on any of our rigs.

As for the front Mopar skid: it is an interesting notion. We've generally tried to fill on market gaps before worrying about a product for which another option actually exists. But if that other product is deficient, that could be a different story. I've not looked at the Mopar skid in a long time, honestly. I have the Superlift one on now.

Good feedback, though, folks! Keep 'em coming!

[NeilSmith]

Im sure driving out of the woods to get a tire fixed is ok. But the last time I had a flat , I put the spare on and drove home 180 miles. That was with stock size tires all around. If you rip a sidewall apart on the trail then there is no fixing the tire. there might not be a tire shop nearby or one that is open. You may have to travel back home on a spare that is not the same size as the others, and that can very easily be of some distance.

[LWM]

Rear swing away tire carrier, not blocking the hitch, or with DOT rated hitch.

This is what I have and mine was made by Stone Soup Metal Works, the only thing missing is the DOT approved stamp but I can tell you mine is every bit as good as the OEM hitch that is was based off.

[HueyPilotVN]

I do have several comments about this subject. First, I think that except for our friend from down under, I am the only one with a second gas tank with a full skid plate. I had to relocate the spare for the extra 30 gallons of gas. I also run 265/70/17 tires so the old spare was a couple of inches smaller. I like the spare mounted on the back for several reasons. It does look cool, it gives me lots of comfort to know that I have 55 gallons of gas for long long trail rides, I have a portable gas station for my bud's on the trail, and I can easily check to be sure that my spare is not flat when I need it.







In addition to carrying an air compressor, I would suggest that you get a plug kit. It has a tool that looks like a pointed scredriver with a hole in the end and you use it to insert a rubber and cord plug into the hole where you had a puncture along with sealant. It works and will get you off the trail without having to break the bead on a tire.

[LWM]

In addition to carrying an air compressor, I would suggest that you get a plug kit. It has a tool that looks like a pointed scredriver with a hole in the end and you use it to insert a rubber and cord plug into the hole where you had a puncture along with sealant. It works and will get you off the trail without having to break the bead on a tire.

On one of the local Arizona runs I got a big hole in teh sidewall, another member of the group had one of these patch lits and thanks to his fast work I was able to save enough air to turn around and get to Discount Tire in town.

I used my kit on Consolidations leaking tire at Ophir pas and that allowed him to continue the trail ride and then get his tire fixed the next day. We were lucky enough to have stopped for a photo when I heard the air leaving his tire.