Spare tire in rooftop carrier?

3270 Views 63 Replies 19 Participants Last post by Alexx0, 6 d ago

mitchxy

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

I'm expecting a Platinum AWD in about a month, god willing! It doesn't come with a spare, and there is no way I would feel comfortable on any trip out of my neighborhood without one. I feel like I get flats at least once a year in NYC. I really can't understand how Toyota would expect you to be satisfied with a plug kit!!
Anyway, I was leaning towards just getting a rooftop carrier and putting the spare in there. I see that some of you have opted to convert the side area to fit the wheel on your own with a kit, but I want to keep it simple. My vehicle will come with factory cross bars. I have never bought a rooftop carrier before except for the soft ones that cost under $100. I'm thinking I need a hard one that is lockable to keep the spare safe. The one from Modernspare.com looks good.

My questions:
Anybody go this route?
Recommendations on a hard carrier?
Will a spare fit in a typical box?
What would be the weight of a full size spare and would it be too much to be on the roof?
Any advice or suggestions on another source for the spare?

Thanks so much!

1 - 20 of 64 Posts

jareza

· #2 · 2 mo ago

Congrats on the sienna....
It looks like a good option I might only be worried, since you live in NYC theft will mostly occur with your spare tire mounted on the rooftop
Other than that it looks like an easy mod. It might drop a bit your MPgs but I dont think it would be a serious matter

Reactions: 1

Sienna9816

· #3 · 2 mo ago

Side note: Check garage height limits where you park often. Some big city garages are kind of short.

Other extreme option is to deflate it and shove it behind 3rd row. I am seriously looking for a 2nd person to adopt this approach

.

Reactions: 2

ericreyn

· #4 · 2 mo ago

These are not run flat tires coming on this ?

Reactions: 1

Sienna9816

· #5 · 2 mo ago

ericreyn said:
These are not run flat tires coming on this ?

G4 doesn't come with run flats. Awd or built-in spare doesn't make any difference.

Reactions: 1

Holdme

· #6 · 2 mo ago

mitchxy said:
I'm expecting a Platinum AWD in about a month, god willing! It doesn't come with a spare, and there is no way I would feel comfortable on any trip out of my neighborhood without one. I feel like I get flats at least once a year in NYC. I really can't understand how Toyota would expect you to be satisfied with a plug kit!!
Anyway, I was leaning towards just getting a rooftop carrier and putting the spare in there. I see that some of you have opted to convert the side area to fit the wheel on your own with a kit, but I want to keep it simple. My vehicle will come with factory cross bars. I have never bought a rooftop carrier before except for the soft ones that cost under $100. I'm thinking I need a hard one that is lockable to keep the spare safe. The one from Modernspare.com looks good.

My questions:
Anybody go this route?
Recommendations on a hard carrier?
Will a spare fit in a typical box?
What would be the weight of a full size spare and would it be too much to be on the roof?
Any advice or suggestions on another source for the spare?

Thanks so much!

There was an old, old post I found here once through an image search where a dude mounted his spare on the back. Looked like a pretty damn cool solution though you'd need to move your back plate. I just throw my modern spare in the back for long drives but if I was on a long family road trip and I needed the extra room it would be really cool. I'll go find it...

https://www.siennachat.com

Reactions: 2

jgwin214

· #7 · 2 mo ago

Keep in mind, a full size wheel and tire weighs about 56-60lbs. It’ll be awkward to put it up and take it down. I’m not judging your physical ability, but something to be aware of. I’m glad mine came with the spare.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 5

mitchxy

Discussion Starter · #8 · 2 mo ago

Holdme said:
There was an old, old post I found here once through an image search where a dude mounted his spare on the back. Looked like a pretty damn cool solution though you'd need to move your back plate. I just throw my modern spare in the back for long drives but if I was on a long family road trip and I needed the extra room it would be really cool. I'll go find it...

https://www.siennachat.com

Thanks for this, though I'd rather the tire be out of the way and block a backup camera or license plate or even opening the trunk.

Reactions: 1

Holdme

· #9 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

mitchxy said:
Thanks for this, though I'd rather the tire be out of the way and block a backup camera or license plate or even opening the trunk.

I'm pretty sure the arm swings out to the right when needing to open the hatch but yeah that's my bad, I saw roof top carrier and skipped right to assuming something for trips but you want the fulltime solution; which no doubt permanently blocking your rear cam would just suck.

Far as roof carriers I've seen some vans with those Yakimas on there and they look pretty damn sharp compared to big bulky ones. The same guys also make some pretty cool roof mounted tire baskets as well if you want to keep the weight down? Tire Carrier

Honestly, I think if someone really wants the easiest, permanent solution just do the spare tire kit install. It's cheap and the install looks easier than building a $12 dollar model plane kit from Walmart. Before I decided I didn't want to give up our 8th seat storage compartment in the back I had the kit priced with shipping at like $240ish I think it was and the modern spare in there with all tools it all came out to like less than $800.

Reactions: 3

fotomoto

· #10 · 2 mo ago

mitchxy said:
I really can't understand how Toyota would expect you to be satisfied with a plug kit!!

All manufacturers are doing this.

On my old Ford C-Max, one of my first vehicles with no spare, I got a hitch mount and carrier and carried the spare there on trips (or inside if I had room). For local/area daily driving, I kept it all in the garage and relied on someone bringing the spare/jack to me when the plug kit was useless (sidewall gash). Note: items will get very dirty on long trips so I use HD leaf bags over cargo and an RV/storage cover over the spare.

FWIW

Reactions: 1

Alabama XL40

· #11 · 2 mo ago

I suggest you look into buying the necessary interior trim pieces and mounting bracket that will allow you to store the spare tire inside the van in the rear driver side panel.

Reactions: 2

DC_Dave

· #12 · 2 mo ago

We carry a spare in a top box for long trips. I wouldn't keep a spare on the roof full time for the reasons stated above. No need to self-rescue in an urban area.

Reactions: 1

mitchxy

Discussion Starter · #13 · 2 mo ago

DC_Dave said:
We carry a spare in a top box for long trips. I wouldn't keep a spare on the roof full time for the reasons stated above. No need to self-rescue in an urban area.

This is what I'm planning on. On the roof for long trips and in the trunk for local.

Reactions: 1

mitchxy

Discussion Starter · #14 · 2 mo ago

Holdme said:
I'm pretty sure the arm swings out to the right when needing to open the hatch but yeah that's my bad, I saw roof top carrier and skipped right to assuming something for trips but you want the fulltime solution; which no doubt permanently blocking your rear cam would just suck.

Far as roof carriers I've seen some vans with those Yakimas on there and they look pretty damn sharp compared to big bulky ones. The same guys also make some pretty cool roof mounted tire baskets as well if you want to keep the weight down? Tire Carrier

Honestly, I think if someone really wants the easiest, permanent solution just do the spare tire kit install. It's cheap and the install looks easier than building a $12 dollar model plane kit from Walmart. Before I decided I didn't want to give up our 8th seat storage compartment in the back I had the kit priced with shipping at like $240ish I think it was and the modern spare in there with all tools it all came out to like less than $800.

I like the idea of the tire carrier. I wonder if the tire could be covered though. I never liked the idea of a hard carrier, since it takes up a lot of space when not used, which is why I used to use the soft bags on long trips. Just fold down when not in use and a lot less expensive!

Yikes! Just saw the price of the carriers! The combined price of the carriers and Tire clamp kit is about the same price as a hard shell carrier itself!

Velox003

· #15 · 2 mo ago

Look on Amazon or other sites you can get that tire carrier for half that price. Maybe put a tire cover on it when it is on the roof? You can go soft or hard cover.

Reactions: 1

Mojo2396

· #16 · 2 mo ago

mitchxy said:
I'm expecting a Platinum AWD in about a month, god willing! It doesn't come with a spare, and there is no way I would feel comfortable on any trip out of my neighborhood without one. I feel like I get flats at least once a year in NYC. I really can't understand how Toyota would expect you to be satisfied with a plug kit!!
Anyway, I was leaning towards just getting a rooftop carrier and putting the spare in there. I see that some of you have opted to convert the side area to fit the wheel on your own with a kit, but I want to keep it simple. My vehicle will come with factory cross bars. I have never bought a rooftop carrier before except for the soft ones that cost under $100. I'm thinking I need a hard one that is lockable to keep the spare safe. The one from Modernspare.com looks good.

My questions:
Anybody go this route?
Recommendations on a hard carrier?
Will a spare fit in a typical box?
What would be the weight of a full size spare and would it be too much to be on the roof?
Any advice or suggestions on another source for the spare?

Thanks so much!

Many variables were shuffling in our lives as we purchased our 2015, still running beautifully nearing 160,000 miles, replaced two or three run flats that we wearing too fast, alignment checked, tires all balanced again, rolling along without difficulty, or flats, until last year some time, don’t recall mileage, steel belts beginning to show, replaced all four of with regular Michelin LTX tires, a favorite of mine for suv and 3/4 ton suburban towing airstream travel trailer, quiet smooth rolling bliss returned! We have made sure triple A has been up to date since we bought it , And we were traveling to Colorado condo on a regular basis! Since sold, but all wheel drive was Nice to have for the few snow days! Good luck! We never thought twice about the run flats, but hard to let go!

Broncofan

· #17 · 2 mo ago

I was reluctant to buy a car that did not have a spare. That was about 3 cars ago, and I have never had a flat yet. I think the key is to get rid of tires "way before" they are bald. Its the 80/20 rule: 80 perecent of tire failures are in the LAST 20 percent of the tires life. So, I dont drive tires in the last 20 percent of their life, I replace them early.

The reason Im ok with it, as I reasoned, that, because my wife cant change a tire, if she gets a flat, she calls Toyota Road Service and gets help. This said "I dont want to change a tire either, especially in a dangerous place along side a highway."
Frankly most people dont even know how to change a tire any more. They get the jack, jack the car up, "THEN" try to losen tough lug nuts, often knocking the car off the jack. Its pretty easy to do. Of course, you make sure all the lug nuts are broken loose "before" you jack the car up. Then jack up the car, and take the tire off, without "jerking" it off the jack on top of you.

Since, I figured, "even with a spare and a jack" my wife would be the one to get a flat, so I just do, what I told her to do. Get your cell, call Toyota Roadside Assistance, and tell them you have no spare, and no jack.

I used to work on my own cars, but my knees are bad, and I dont really want to get on my knees and change tires, even tho I have done dozens over the years.
When I was 16, I took my mother on a "date". My car was a 55 chevy that I paid $50 for. The only tires I could afford were ones that were thrown away. So, I figured if I had about 3 spares, it would not matter if I had even 2 flats.
Well, I drove my mother about 3 miles..sure enough a flat. It's ok, Mom. I got this. I got out, changed the tire, it took about 10 minutes, and back on the road, to flat number 2, about 1/2 mile later. No problem, mom, you know the drill. Back on the road, and, sure enough, flat number 3. Well, I dont have a spare anymore, but we should be able to make it home. Nope. Flat number 4 and no spare. So, I called from the neighbors and my Dad brought another spare probably off another car. We made it home that time.

Lesson: No matter how many spares you have, it may not be enough if you have trash tires.
You probably dont have a spare alternator, a spare starter, a spare fan belt, or spare radiator hoses, either. Yes, its good to plan ahead, but I plan ahead by ensuring my car is in tip top shape before I leave. I dont worry about the spare any more, and its never been a problem. I have probably driven "at least" 100,000 miles without a spare and without a problem. Once a tire was leaking (slow leak, not a blow out) and I simply drove it to Walmart, and replaced the tire. If you do have a blowout, there is a good chance that the spare wont fix all the problems anyway. You can simply keep going with a slow leak.

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Reactions: 1

Broncofan

· #18 · 2 mo ago

To add: The TPMS does a great job at detecting slow leaks. It will give you a warning, if the tire drops below xx pounds pressure, and you can keep driving it and fix it soon. Again, "blowouts" often cause way more damage and a spare may not even help you all that much anyway. I can see why the spare tire is "much less necessary" than it was in the past, when we often had no way of knowing (other than checking tire pressure at every stop) until the tire was flat. Now, we have "a warning system" that your tire is going flat.

Reactions: 1

slothman

· #19 · 2 mo ago

I squeezed my spare in the back no problem, but ours is a 2012

mitchxy

Discussion Starter · #20 · 2 mo ago

Broncofan said:
I was reluctant to buy a car that did not have a spare. That was about 3 cars ago, and I have never had a flat yet. I think the key is to get rid of tires "way before" they are bald. Its the 80/20 rule: 80 perecent of tire failures are in the LAST 20 percent of the tires life. So, I dont drive tires in the last 20 percent of their life, I replace them early.

The reason Im ok with it, as I reasoned, that, because my wife cant change a tire, if she gets a flat, she calls Toyota Road Service and gets help. This said "I dont want to change a tire either, especially in a dangerous place along side a highway."
Frankly most people dont even know how to change a tire any more. They get the jack, jack the car up, "THEN" try to losen tough lug nuts, often knocking the car off the jack. Its pretty easy to do. Of course, you make sure all the lug nuts are broken loose "before" you jack the car up. Then jack up the car, and take the tire off, without "jerking" it off the jack on top of you.

Since, I figured, "even with a spare and a jack" my wife would be the one to get a flat, so I just do, what I told her to do. Get your cell, call Toyota Roadside Assistance, and tell them you have no spare, and no jack.

I used to work on my own cars, but my knees are bad, and I dont really want to get on my knees and change tires, even tho I have done dozens over the years.
When I was 16, I took my mother on a "date". My car was a 55 chevy that I paid $50 for. The only tires I could afford were ones that were thrown away. So, I figured if I had about 3 spares, it would not matter if I had even 2 flats.
Well, I drove my mother about 3 miles..sure enough a flat. It's ok, Mom. I got this. I got out, changed the tire, it took about 10 minutes, and back on the road, to flat number 2, about 1/2 mile later. No problem, mom, you know the drill. Back on the road, and, sure enough, flat number 3. Well, I dont have a spare anymore, but we should be able to make it home. Nope. Flat number 4 and no spare. So, I called from the neighbors and my Dad brought another spare probably off another car. We made it home that time.

Lesson: No matter how many spares you have, it may not be enough if you have trash tires.
You probably dont have a spare alternator, a spare starter, a spare fan belt, or spare radiator hoses, either. Yes, its good to plan ahead, but I plan ahead by ensuring my car is in tip top shape before I leave. I dont worry about the spare any more, and its never been a problem. I have probably driven "at least" 100,000 miles without a spare and without a problem. Once a tire was leaking (slow leak, not a blow out) and I simply drove it to Walmart, and replaced the tire. If you do have a blowout, there is a good chance that the spare wont fix all the problems anyway. You can simply keep going with a slow leak.

I get a flat probably once or twice a year, and it's not due to age. I simply find ways to get screws puncturing my tires. Maybe I don't get a flat in another year or two, but when I do, I will be sorry that I don't have a spare. And there's no way I won't carry one on an hour plus family trip.

Reactions: 2

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