Spare Tire Carrier Question

[Warren99]

My truck came with a broken cable on the spare tire holder under the bed. I've always thought about fixing it and putting a full sized 32 inch spare down there to match my tires, never really occurred to me that it's a pretty small cable, and if it were to break could cause a lot of damage by dropping a 32 inch tire under the bed while driving lol. Has anyone ever done this? May just throw the donut under to use in a pinch, and only bring my full sized spare on dedicated offroading trips.

[coolwind57]

I have a full-size tire under there.  No prob with clearance or anything.  In fact, its a 33. 

 

Anyhow, a few years ago I did rebuild my spare tire winch device.  I disassembled and used stainless cable and lubed the hell out of it.  Easy peazy. 

 

I strongly recommend using at least some cheap small ratchet straps as an additional means to secure your tire.  I did in fact have my spare drop off at highway speeds on me prior to the rebuild.  I thought I ran over a human being or something, as it made a terrible sound and lifted my rear end up off the ground....at 65 mph.  I pulled over and did a quick visual, not knowing what had happened.  I then discovered that my tire was missing.  Had to go back a few miles to retreive it.  Scared the life out of me. 

 

I've now criss-crossed with small ratchet straps, never again trusting just the factory winch device.

[Warren99]

5 minutes ago, coolwind57 said:

I have a full-size tire under there.  No prob with clearance or anything.  In fact, its a 33. 

 

Anyhow, a few years ago I did rebuild my spare tire winch device.  I disassembled and used stainless cable and lubed the hell out of it.  Easy peazy. 

 

I strongly recommend using at least some cheap small ratchet straps as an additional means to secure your tire.  I did in fact have my spare drop off at highway speeds on me prior to the rebuild.  I thought I ran over a human being or something, as it made a terrible sound and lifted my rear end up off the ground....at 65 mph.  I pulled over and did a quick visual, not knowing what had happened.  I then discovered that my tire was missing.  Had to go back a few miles to retreive it.  Scared the life out of me. 

 

I've now criss-crossed with small ratchet straps, never again trusting just the factory winch device.

Doesn’t it require drilling out rivets or spot welds to take it apart?

[coolwind57]

15 minutes ago, Warren99 said:

Doesn’t it require drilling out rivets or spot welds to take it apart?

It's been a few years, so I don't remember for sure.  But it wouldn't surprise me if so.  Replace drilled out rivets with stainless bolts/nuts hardware would be my advice.  I don't recall spot welds.

[fiatslug87]

If you have a SWB a 32 is vey tight, I actually moved the load sensing valve a little to accommodate it.

[watchamakalit]

If it's swb you will have to drill the rivets and remove the rear panel to fit a 31".  I did it to mine. But depending on the actual size of the tire 32" might be possible. I can't speak for a longbed.

 

Edit: I also wanted to add I highly recommend at least a ratchet strap from frame rail to frame rail, I wouldnt trust the factory spare carrier alone. They are too old and really not meant for an oversized tire.

[coolwind57]

I take that back. My tires are 31s.