A Spare Tire That Fits Under the Load Floor

[NowhereFast]

I just ordered a kit from Modern Spare. It wasn't cheap, but the kit is high quality and each kit is model specific.

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[west]

My parents have one in their X5 and I have heard nothing but good things, but it does take up a lot of their usable storage space.

I couldn't use one in my (likely to be bought) ITS just because there's no room for one plus a mountain bike in the back when doing my long mountain biking road trips (and I prefer to keep the bike in the car when doing long distance travel / less chance it gets stolen at a gas station or restaurant).

 

[elh0102]

I have the Modern Spare kit for a BMW, and I have an EZ Spare kit that I bought when I had the ITS. They both seem to be good quality.

 

[camaro149]

I went with an option mentioned in the other spare tire thread; using a spare from a 2011-2022 Odyssey. Picked up a new one from eBay for $155. It uses the same 120x5 bolt pattern and hub diameter, so no spacers needed. Tire is 135/80R17. It also has the same ball seat as the OEM wheels, so you can use the OEM lug nuts too.

Clears the rear brakes just fine. I was able to mount it under the floor, with the rearmost edge up just under an inch. Not bad. I used 3M VHB tape to secure the mounting plate and it doesn't appear to be going anywhere.

With an upcoming 5hr trip next week, it's nice to have some piece of mind in the event that a flat occurs.

 

[Frenzal]

I would not trust tape!

Might OK to hold there in normal driving, but if you get in an accident, the tire could kill you or any other occupant of the car.

 

[west]

I would not trust tape!

Might OK to hold there in normal driving, but if you get in an accident, the tire could kill you or any other occupant of the car.

VHB is pretty nutty strong. If I remember right, the hold power is something like 90 pounds per square inch? They also use it to attach stuff (like fairings, winglets, etc.) to commercial airplanes for flight.

I was also skeptical of it until I started learning about it. Modern adhesives are pretty crazy.

 

[elh0102]

Clears the rear brakes just fine. I was able to mount it under the floor, with the rearmost edge up just under an inch. Not bad. I used 3M VHB tape to secure the mounting plate and it doesn't appear to be going anywhere.

I assume this means that the wheel does not clear the front brakes. I don't mean to be a spoiler, but if you ever have to switch front/rear wheels when dealing with a flat front tire, and the car is anywhere other than a solid flat surface with no traffic, you may decide that this isn't an acceptable option. Of course, there is a 50/50 chance the flat will be on the rear, and it's possible that the car can be driven to a suitable location for the work. I had to deal with this once on a road shoulder, and I'll never do it again. But I agree, it offers some comfort, and the chances are in your favor that, if required, you can probably get the car to a safe location.

 

[camaro149]

Correct, it won't fit on the front. But there is room to fit the stock inflator/compressor inside the wheel of the spare, so I have that option as well.

 

[Frenzal]

With the LSD, you should have two of the same tires in front. So anyway, it is always better to put a spare in the rear.

 

[elh0102]

With the LSD, you should have two of the same tires in front. So anyway, it is always better to put a spare in the rear.

If the OD is the same, or very close, that's all that matters with the LSD issue. I believe the industry standard for OD tire difference with a helical type LSD is 10-12mm.

 

[west]

Damn, that's a lot of variance. 10 to 12mm is basically half an inch.

 

[elh0102]

Damn, that's a lot of variance. 10 to 12mm is basically half an inch.

Agree. I would not accept that for long term use, but it suggests that you aren't going to damage the differential if you have to use a spare of slightly different OD for emergency short term use. I believe that clutch type LSD designs are less tolerant of OD variance than is the helical type.

 

[PhatFreshPrince]

I just ordered a kit from Modern Spare. It wasn't cheap, but the kit is high quality and each kit is model specific.

Does this spare fit in the front or the rear only, and if it does fit in the front, does the hatch cover sit flush when stored?

 

[NowhereFast]

Does this spare fit in the front or the rear only, and if it does fit in the front, does the hatch cover sit flush when stored?

It will fit the front. I don’t think it will fit under the floor of the hatch but I haven’t tried. I purchased the optional carry bag and I just laid it in back of the hatch and strapped it down. I only carry it if I’m going on a road trip. I’ll get a pic later of how it fits.

 

[Frenzal]

Does this spare fit in the front or the rear only, and if it does fit in the front, does the hatch cover sit flush when stored?

No tire fit flush in the back, except the BMW one that you have to modify to fit the ITS.

And probably, the modern spare is the one taking the more space in the hatch...

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