So I spent a couple of hours today trying to get a 265/70 R18 spare to fit up under my 2007 LR3...not to surprise anyone but it did not work. I removed the plastic heat shield thing and deflated the tire. Then I tried using a ratchet strap to compress the tire a bit more. This got me within 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch from success.

Has anyone managed to pull this off? I have this crazy idea of running two spares since we plan on playing around in Baja a lot. One under the vehicle and one on a tire carrier.

Another thought I have wondered about is mounting the spare inside the back like on the old Cherokees. Anyone tried that out? Not sure I want to lose the space though.

I am interested in what kind of crazy genius ideas you guys have thought up...

 

I got a 275/65r18 wedged up there, but I had to remove the heat shield and deflate the tire to around 8 psi. I'm just not sure I can see getting a tire with a 0.6" larger diameter in there. I mean, if you're dying to do it, get a worn tire and try it out, or maybe shave it down some...

 

Before I got a tire carrier I carried a 275/65-18 vertically in the back. I was able to get it to hold pretty tight with two tie down points and a ratcheting strap. Not bomb proof but it never fell over! That new tire smell, however...

 

PS - I didn't find gas to be an issue in Baja the last time I went. That said, perhaps an auxiliary fuel tank that fits into the spare tire well would be an alternative use of that space. I want to get one of these!

300TD auxillary fuel tank spare tire well - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

 

clarkritchie- I like that idea. A LOT. I was just talking about what to do with that space last night with my girlfriend. I feel like it is a waste to not use it for something. It could be nice to run an aux fuel tank instead of jerry cans. That's some good thinking outside the box.

 

Also- I may try the ratchet idea as a temp storage for the tire. I am guessing you just ran the strap from one tie down and the through the wheel to the other tie down?

We have a trip in 2 weeks and that will at least be better than lying flat in the back and trying to organize gear around it.

 

Yeah, that works fine. I looped the tie down through the wheel twice, higher than the middle, kind of in the the 10 and 2 position. If you put your hand on it it'll rock side-side a bit but mine always remained vertical and never fell over. But I found the smell of the tire (my spare was new) to be pretty harsh inside... YMMV!

 

I'm wrestling with the same issue- what do yall think about a roof rack mounted spare tire set-up similar to this?



I like the look, but not sure if it's worth having the extra weight that high.

 

Roof rack mounted is my other option and I have thought about the weight sitting up there as well. Here is my thought- what are you using the vehicle for? If it is more of an overlanding set up then you will probably be carrying a lot up there anyway. Or if you put a RTT up there then that is even more weight. If you are going to be wheeling it on more technical trails then the top weight would be more of a concern.

From what I have been told you can "feel" the tire up there but I can't see the additional 60? 70? pounds (not sure what the exact weight is) making that much difference.

As an aside- I have played with the idea of storing the spare in the valley/storage space in the back and building a second floor over it. I think it would work well but it will raise the floor nearly a foot. I don't like that.

 

It's about 85 lbs depending on tire of course. I tried it for a little while, but it's such a PITA to haul that thing up on top of the car and such a pain to get it off that it just wasn't worth it for me. However, if it's your second spare, then it might be a good option. I didn't suggest earlier because I didn't see a roof rack or rails on your truck.