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clotus's avatar
clotus
Explorer
Apr 24, 2014

Spare tire fitment Dodge Ram

Hey guys here's an interesting one for you. I recently had a blow out on my truck in sig. I had upgraded to 33" tires, but kept the spare the standard 31". Well, I decided the tires were getting a little low so I replaced all four with new Nitto Terra Grapplers (essentially the same as the Toyos in the sig). I had them take the best leftover tire and mount it as the spare. We go to put the spare in the stock location and wouldn't you know it the tire is too wide to fit between the sway-bar endlinks (Hellwig standard size, not BigWig). I can not sneak the tire back behind the endlinks because it hits the torklift superhitch. Uggggh what a dumb problem to have!!!

The way I look at it I have a couple of options, and only one is free, but not ideal:

1) remove swaybar and see how the handling is, truck originally did not have a swaybar

2) replace the swaybar with a wider bar that mounts outside the frame (need approx 2" wider). I already shot off emails to hellwig and roadmaster looking into this one.

3) replace superhitch and factory hitch with a class V hitch assuming it will be smaller than the torklift/factory duo. (still researching, I tow a 4k boat on 3' extension)

4) front hitch with spare tire mount (concerned with airflow and overheating)

All seem to cost approximately $500'ish and have their pros and cons. I do not want to put a 31" spare back on, I want a full-size spare. We are also looking into upgrading to a small 5th-wheel in the future and double-towing the boat (a whole other discussion) if that makes a difference.

Anyone run into this problem and what did you do? Any thoughts or suggestions? What would you guys do? Thanks in advance.
  • I don't think you will have a cooling issue but don't know where and when you travel.
  • Is this a short bed Dodge issue ?
    I never tried a 33 in the spare spot of my old 03 truck
    But a 33 fits in my 99` with a sway bar and hitch
    What about if the tire was at an angle on a new mount , like higher in the front and lower at the hitch , maybe on old style bar type spare rig , instead of the winch type
  • front hitch with a tray and the tire laying horizontal on the tray instead of vertical on a hitch mount for better airflow
  • I do not think I will have enough clearance with it aired down. I will give it a shot when I get a chance, but lets assume that does not work for this discussion....
  • Buzzcut1 wrote:
    have it lightly aired up and it might fit then carry a good compressor to air it up if needed

    x2
  • I'm leaning towards the front mount setup. Radiator fan will kick in if she gets too hot from lack of air flow.
  • have it lightly aired up and it might fit then carry a good compressor to air it up if needed