Do you carry a "full Size" spare tire?

[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.

[bruijr]

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.

I have to agree with Neil on this one. Like I mentioned in the "air down or not" thread I once had two flat tires in Big Bend state park. Luckily they were jsut punctured tires and I was able to plug a hole with a large screw to get of the trail. But in case of a ripped side wall, the next decent town close enough to carry a larger variaty of tires is Fort Stockton. That's far over a hunderd miles not taking into account an other possible two hours to get of the trail. I do see the need for something the carry a full size spare.

[Sal-XK]

Having a full size spare is just smart planning. If your tire goes down on the trail you still have to navigate your way off the trail crawling over rocks and such. I could limp it off with my stock spare but it would be easier and safer I think to have a matching spare with me. Also the ability to carry a full size spare means I can leave my stock one in place and have two spares now for the trails. The stock one of course being the emergency spare to the spare.

[NeilSmith]

Having a full size spare is just smart planning. If your tire goes down on the trail you still have to navigate your way off the trail crawling over rocks and such. I could limp it off with my stock spare but it would be easier and safer I think to have a matching spare with me. Also the ability to carry a full size spare means I can leave my stock one in place and have two spares now for the trails. The stock one of course being the emergency spare to the spare.

X2

[El Cid]

But what if your spare for the spare goes bad?

Wait... I already know the answer. That's why you put another one on the roof rack!

And in case that one goes bad, you really ought to have another on the hood.

And if that goes bad, common sense dictates that you toss another one outboard on the passenger side (doubles as a rock bumper in tight spots, too).

And if that goes bad ...



I'm giving you a hard time, but I understand that kind of thinking 100%. It's just not for me personally. I guess I'm an optimist who hasn't been burned yet. To me it's like carrying an extra driveshaft. Would I be glad I had it in some terrible worst-case scenario? Sure. Am I going to carry one? Don't think so. Must have room for beer.

Of course, am I going to be seriously grateful that someone else is carrying one when I "win the lottery" and splinter the driveshaft? You better believe it!

This thread is quickly getting hijacked on the issue, but I'll also point out that you can already carry a bigger tire than stock in the OEM hold. If I remember rightly, I'm pretty sure you can fit at least a 265/70R17 deflated, strapped, and raised carefully. That doesn't account for an "emergency spare to the spare," obviously, and you need to carry an air compressor (which is a good idea anyway), but it'll get the job done without the need to add a swing-away carrier with its weight and possible reduced clearance.

All of which doesn't mean that we may not ultimately make one for you. The customer, as they say, is always right. Right?

So y'all want a spare tire carrier. What else?

[07JeepXK]

I bought the MT/R's with Kevlar hoping that I would never need a spare. So far so good.

[LWM]

At Camp Commander I brought 2 spares as I had a long way to travel and did not want to not have a spare tire:

[GPintheMitten]

I carry a full-size spare. 255/75/17. I mount it on the roof basket. I also do a 5 tire rotation.

With the spare up there, I have to choose my drive thru car wash carefully. It fits in some and not others.