Full size spare tire

[John K]

Having a spare is managing risk. Regardless of what is being driven on, my use will be if services are close, will not carry a spare. If services are far away, I will carry a spare.
I will buy a spare and store in the garage to keep weight down during daily commute. I will always carry a plug kit.
Btw, when you see a CT driving CA 405 with downgraded commuting tires, that will be me.

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[parapyropig]

(As a side question, how fast are you going off road that you worry about aerodynamics?)

Not speed; distance. If things don’t change dramatically in the next few years, it’s probable I will be frequently commuting between Florida and Colorado.

 

[ReddykwRun]

Receiver Hitch Option:

 

[parapyropig]

Combined with a trailer hitch that doesn’t mess with the departure angle, that could work. It would have to be pretty stout to avoid wobble and metal fatigue.

Probably be a better idea to have a aftermarket rear bumper with a swing-out mount.

The other obvious issue with either would then be the tire blocking the rear view camera and a good part of the brake light strip.

After much thought, I’m guessing that a either a flat or angled mount in the bed might be the best option.

To carry a full size spare in my expedition trailer, I essentially built a plywood box around it, so that items could be stacked on top of it as well as use the corners of the box not occupied by the tire for additional storage.

Looking front-to-rear:

 

[Saskateam]

I have been thinking of an angled spare tire holder that follows the angle of the bed cover. It could hold the tire up off the bed floor so I could still put material under it. Something like these.

 

[ReddykwRun]

I like the idea of an aftermarket bumper with a swing-out spare carrier now that you mention it, had one on a Landcrusher (1977) and it worked great. These tires are BIG and heavy, gonna take something really stout. If all else fails I will just weld up my own design and "over-engineer" the heck out of it. I remember years ago some folks would mount the spare on the front bumper but that trashes the aerodynamics. Anybody have an estimate on the weight on a similar size mounted tire?

 

[Saskateam]

The rubber will be around 65 lbs and then the weight of what ever rim you choose.

 

[Mule Ferguson]

Ben driving Tesla's since 2014. model S. Model X 2016, Model X 2018. and Model 3 2019. I Had a flat tire in the 2016. It has run flat tires. drove it about 3/4 miles without damage to the rim. Wife had a flat in the 2018 X. She called me and asked what to do. I said get on line and find a tire dealer and if it close drive to it... There was a dealer very close by. No Damage.

 

[craz]

I'll give you a margin of error on that call since there ain't much cactus in Canada. and I don't expect a drug store cowboy city slicker to understand this one till it happens upon them by surprise. You see in the great American South West grows a plant that even the roughest, toughest hombre fear and respect and that's the big ol' spiney cactus. Why from Texas to California many a sad off-roader has met his match, miles from the nearest AAA provider and it seems those spines have the nack of going right through those big off-road mudders at the worst possible moment. Plugs may have their application but my money is riding on a spare or two to get me and mine back home.

Used to live in Young, AZ and living far off the beaten path teaches you a few things and how to be self-sufficient and not rely on no one else to get yourself out of a bind.

Spent many years of my life near Show Low, AZ. Beautiful country.

Buying a truck without a spare will be new to me. I like the idea some other posters mentioned - keep a spare in the garage, throw it in the vault as needed.

Another idea could be run-flats, like Mule Ferguson referred to. Combined with the "bulletproof" structure and reinforced windows, that's one hell of a rugged marketing pitch.

 

[TyPope]

I guess I just assumed they were gonna use the air suspension cylinders similar to model X and not an airbag but maybe you are right they have to use airbag for heavier load carry.

Not airbags. Elon said "active suspension" which I take to mean more than simple airbags.

 

[ReddykwRun]

Spent many years of my life near Show Low, AZ. Beautiful country.

Buying a truck without a spare will be new to me. I like the idea some other posters mentioned - keep a spare in the garage, throw it in the vault as needed.

Another idea could be run-flats, like Mule Ferguson referred to. Combined with the "bulletproof" structure and reinforced windows, that's one hell of a rugged marketing pitch.

Be careful, leaving it at home is right up there with leaving my fire extinguisher and sidearm at home, some things I just don't leave home without.

Good luck finding run-flats for an off-road size tire.

Myself, I will bolt a spare down in the back of the truck (bed mount or side) or put it on a receiver hitch mount, both are within reason.

 

[ReddykwRun]

Having a spare is managing risk. Regardless of what is being driven on, my use will be if services are close, will not carry a spare. If services are far away, I will carry a spare.
I will buy a spare and store in the garage to keep weight down during daily commute. I will always carry a plug kit.
Btw, when you see a CT driving CA 405 with downgraded commuting tires, that will be me.

Is It OK to Go Without a Spare Tire? OR Not?

The freeway shoulder can be a dangerous place to change a tire. If you live in an urban area with 24-hour towing, and you’re doing mostly daytime driving, you may be good with no spare. Just be sure you have AAA towing service ($69 a year for the basic package), roadside assistance coverage included in your auto insurance policy, or one of the new, on-demand services. Without it, a standard tow (around 5 miles) will cost you an average $109, according to Angie’s List.

If you take a lot of road trips, routinely drive in places with long distances between service stations, or travel a lot on rougher roads, you need a spare tire. Getting a flat in rural areas means you could be a hundred miles or more to the nearest repair shop. If it’s after business hours, you could be looking at being marooned for hours, paying for a hotel for a night (or more if it’s a weekend), leaving a vehicle loaded with gear or belongings on the side of the road, and paying a hefty towing fee over a long stretch of highway.

Get a spare tire if you travel with small kids, especially if you're taking occasional road trips. Getting stranded with a flat and no spare can mean several hours of waiting for a tow, even in an urban area. This is sure to be stressful for parents and possibly unsafe for tots, especially if it’s a really hot or frigid day.

If you have medical needs that need daily attention, better have a spare.

The first word in the phrase “Roadside Assistance” is ROADSIDE. If you are Off-Road you are SOL when the tire develops a flat spot on the bottom, bummer.

Flat tires can be a major, costly hassle — or simply a slight inconvenience. Especially in the West, where distances between tire service can be long and lonely, a spare tire is the most cost-effective insurance that you won’t get stuck by the side of the road. What would have been a few minutes of exercise can turn into HOURS of waiting on someone else to do for you what you should have done for yourself. Yea, it happens. The real world is painfully different from the “keyboard” world.

Changed a few for myself and a lot for others. I convinced my wife to keep a pair of gloves and an old pair of running shoes in the car for when she has to change a tire in less than optimum conditions.

 

[hridge2020]

Now to find a good jack..

 

[ldjessee]

Almost everyone I know who off-roads has a Hi-Lift...
https://www.carbibles.com/best-off-road-jack/

 

[ReddykwRun]

Almost everyone I know who off-roads has a Hi-Lift...
https://www.carbibles.com/best-off-road-jack/

I have seen many of these on farms and also strapped onto off-roaders. I hope there is an adapter to fit the CT. They are a good, multi-purpose tool at $80.