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Spare Tire Mounting Options On Roof

So Cal Urb

So Cal Urb

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Sep 11, 2011
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Anybody have any cons to this idea... do you think the cross rails will support them enough to not cave in my roof? I'd mount some kind of hooks on the side rails and strap them down. I know a roof rack would ne best but we're all on a budget... right?

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I have heard, but not verified, that in California, top-mounted spares must be bolted down, no straps. Also, straps disintegrate in UV. I know this because somewhere between here and grandma's place I lost a trailer spare without noticing. :haha: I just pray that when it bounced off it didn't whack into the person behind me, and quietly rolled off the road somewhere. :doah:

Also, moving spare(s) down from the roof sucks. They're heavy, they're dirty, and if you have a flat the last thing you want is more work and back strain while you're late to pick up the kids or get to the doctor's appointment.

I'd worry about your paint as much as the body panels getting dented, yeah.

In your case, I see barn doors (seckseh) which could have spare mount(s) on them, swing away, and address all of these concerns at once.

Just my .02.

-- A
 
On all our family vacations back in the day my dad would put one or two spares on the roof of our suburban and the roof still looks fine today. On the forth of July he'd let us kids sit on the roof too sometimes. So I'd say the roof can handle the weight no problem, but agree with dremu's concerns also.
 
According to my "source" , it is legal. And then as far as if I get a flat when im in a rush.... I mainly off road so... not concerned... not alot of room inside with all 3 rows of seats for even 1 35" spare... and back door mounted I dont really like the idea of. paint... don't care about...

main concern was damage to roof...

think I'll give it a try... thank you for the input
 
I saw I guy getting one down once... he was frustrated and threw it down. It bounced back off a rock and took out the side window.
 
i would do do whatever it took to keep em off the roof,i hate roof mounted spares
 
really? I figured get it out of the way... have it for that one time you need it of course , but I want space inside. what's your reasons to do whatever to keep it off? just wanna hear all pros and cons. thanks
 
I'd rather have a spare up on the roof,than trapped under the truck after a rear tire goes flat...try bench pressing a 3/4 ton 8 lug steel rim with an E range tire back up into place under the truck and you'll think rolling one off the roof is childs play,if your back is anything like mine is..

I would at least put a piece of plywood on the roof first though,and screwed down would be better than just hoping it'll stay put..a cheap roof rack with the suction cups that straps to the rain gutters and straps across the tires would be better probably...making tire racks for the barn doors would be even better though.you may even be able to bolt a spare tire carrier bracket for a trailer to the door(s).....my only trouble with having a spare on the tire rack on the door,was I backed it into things once in a while when backing up...:eek1:
 
I carried my spare on a shell-mounted Yakima roof rack for a few years.

Pros: keeps the tire out of the way, leaves cargo space free, doesn't partially block view out the rear like a tailgate or rear bumper mounted spare.

Cons: adds height, not aerodynamic at all, some wind noise, adds weight at the worst point during off-camber, tippy-crawly situations, can be hard/very hard to get to depending on where you get stuck.

My spare was bolted towards the rear of the rack, so I could get to it by dropping the tailgate and climbing up on it. I could also stand on the rear bumper and unbolt it, but that wasn't nearly as easy. If it was my rig, I'd probably opt for a tailgate/rear bumper spare over a roof mount in most situations (although I do have mine stuffed behind the rear seat at the moment).
 
What are the cons of putting the spare on the front, like this image from Google:
FrontSpare2.jpg

Seems like it's accessible, doesn't mess up the aerodynamics, avoids visibility issues (depending on how large your tire is), and is one step simpler than putting swing-outs on the back. Doesn't even appear to interfere with opening/accessing the hood.

Downsides?

FrontSpare2.jpg
 
Yeah... front doesnt look good at all... im definitely doing the roof option... just goncerned once I strap that heavy ass 35" tire... possibly 2... am I gonna dent/cave in that roof... not concerned with paint... appreciate all the feedback... and as far as getting it down... ill deal with it... I think having out of the way is more beneficial for the majority of the time... and I don't drive it much unless im going off roading
 
campfire said:
What are the cons of putting the spare on the front, like this...
Click to expand...

... like this factory 1976-77 Blazer Chalet? :D

treasuresearch-53.jpg


1977pv4-1.jpg


:haha:

All a matter of personal taste, but having owned a Chalet, I can say yeah, it worked just fine. And didn't block the radiator noticeably.

-- A
 
That front mounted spare was an accessory you could have ordered from the factory for any GM truck, but most commonly only ever seen on the Chalet/Casa Grande.
 
If you've seen the movie "Hills Have Eyes" then you know that nothing bad ever happens to a blue Suburban when driving through a remote desert area.....

Leave the spares at home!



-G
 
roof mounted spares act like a big sail up there,just bugs me,i would mount it on the rear preferably or the front,but totally understand you wanting not to tie up space inside
 
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