Opinions Needed re: Flipping Spare Mount

So, the spare I have on the back is the same as the other 4 tires; 285/70/17 GY Duratrac. I noticed that the combined weight of the spare, my bike rack and road bike was weighing down the door a little. The tire by itself was rubbing the rear bumber but when I added the rack and bike, you could actually hear the door rub slightly when opening and closing. I guess too much weight.

I was thinking of something (free) to do to redistribute the weight and also eliminate the rear bumper rub. I read on the FJ Forum that some people flip the spare mount to give more bumper clearance. I thought it might also help with the weight, since it would be tilted back instead of completely erect. I decided to give it a shot.

I think it looks a little funky but it seems to have fixed both problems; the tire doesnt rub the bumper and the door opens and closes smoothly. The only issue is that the mount pushes against the rear windshield wiper, but it still seems to work fine.

Any thoughts or long term experience with this?? Thanks guys!! BTW, sorry for the lousy pics... carport at 11pm last night!

I think it looks great!

Hopefully it was the size of the tire and the weight of the rack on the back door, hopefully your road bike is not that heavy.

tbulluck wrote:

I think it looks great!

Hopefully it was the size of the tire and the weight of the rack on the back door, hopefully your road bike is not that heavy.

Thanks. I think it was a combination of the two. It almost seemed like the weight of the bike rack and bike was causing the mount to pull away from the body of the truck, where as now it seems like it resting on it. Not sure if that makes sense.

sure...that makes complete nonsense j/k



what is your road bike?

hahaha EXACTLY!!!!

Its a Fuji Roubaix. Its considered a "mid-level" bike but I love it and a HUGE improvement from the one I had before. You ride??

i do a little riding.....nice flat eastern NC roads. Did the country roads tour last weekend in Scotland Neck. i have done the Cycle NC Fall ride twice and the CNC spring ride once. usually with the wife and neighbors on the weekend, we ride and talk.....we are not pushing the 21 mph grp.

tbulluck wrote:

i do a little riding.....nice flat eastern NC roads. Did the country roads tour last weekend in Scotland Neck. i have done the Cycle NC Fall ride twice and the CNC spring ride once. usually with the wife and neighbors on the weekend, we ride and talk.....we are not pushing the 21 mph grp.

Nice!!! Ive only been in Raleigh for about 2 1/2yrs but this September will be the third time I ride the MS Ride in New Bern. Im definitely more of a casual/social/15mph rider. I just like to be outside and see the sites. lol.

back on track I really like the angle of the spare.