MK4 spare tire - recommendations?

[Jester]

It is a great weekend and I took the roadster for a 6 hr run. Amazing car - Once I broke the rear wheels loose at 70 mph - I think I was in 3rd and just hit the power band - very responsive and handles great. The more seat time, this thing feels like an extension of the body - just amazing. The 3 link is fantastic and the ride is very tight but comfortable - seems to be softer then initially - must be getting worked in. I have not ridden in an IRS Mk4 but the ride with 3 link ride is great - possible I am just getting comfortable with it.

Any recommendations re low profile spare tire (17in) and jack etc for the trunk - I would not want to get a flat on a Sunday while in the middle of nowhere. Pictures of trunk layout would be great (with spare).

Thx

[edwardb]

Any recommendations re low profile spare tire (17in) and jack etc for the trunk - I would not want to get a flat on a Sunday while in the middle of nowhere. Pictures of trunk layout would be great (with spare). Thx

I doubt you'll find many on here carrying a spare. Flats don't happen very often, space is too limited, and you may or may not be able to get any kind of jack under it. Roadside assistance is a cheap add to your insurance (for more than just a flat) and a cell phone. Another option might be one of the those small portable 12V compressors and a can of flat tire sealant. Many new cars only come equipped this way now.

[Bob Cowan]

Carrying a spare isn't that difficult, unless you have a big brake kit. But then what do you do with the flat tire? it won't fit back into the trunk.

I carry a tire plug kit and a small compressor.

[CraigS]

I have two cans of tire inflator/sealer, and air pump, and a AAA card w/ the 200 mile towing option.

[j.miller]

Yep! AAA Extended mile......I put that card in my trunk and still have room for.....I don't know....a couple more cards:D...da Bat

[WIS89]

Yep! AAA Extended mile......I put that card in my trunk and still have room for.....I don't know....a couple more cards:D...da Bat

Yeah, but with the bat phone, commissioner Gordon is just a moment away...

Sorry Jeff, I don't know what came over me.

Regards,

Steve

[Jester]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I will source a tire plug kit and a small compressor and add the roadside assistance to my insurance.

Thx

[DaleG]

What just sprang into mind was a spare tire bracket on top of the trunk lid, sort of like a luggage rack; someone shoot me, please!

[cobradawg]

My wife and I make overnight trips in the roadster once in a while and believe me when I put her necessaries in the trunk there is no room for a spare. I carry a small 12v compressor and two bottles of tire sealer.

[hrosenthal]

I'm trying runflats on mine.
I've been told it will be a harder ride, but I'm going to give it a try anyhow.

[skullandbones]

I have a 4 inch aluminum wheel with VW tire and it will fit my roadster hubs with an adaptor. However, like Bob mentioned where to put the flat tire??? The only thing I could come up with was perhaps some sort of temporary support on the roll bar back supports. I still may use mine for trips that send me out to remote areas. May have to rethink the process with the "spare tire" and compressor. There's no real good fix for this issue. WEK.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I'm considering incorporating one of these between the rear quick jacks:

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQVRWHEGUa2QodTAEbR3mArosczAJ0y rKdmZr7ZxRnswx_D0LcZQ

What do y'all think? ;)

Jeff

[bill3422]

I have two cans of tire inflator/sealer, and air pump, and a AAA card w/ the 200 mile towing option.

My favorite option

[edwardb]

I'm considering incorporating one of these between the rear quick jacks:

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQVRWHEGUa2QodTAEbR3mArosczAJ0y rKdmZr7ZxRnswx_D0LcZQ

What do y'all think? ;)

Jeff

Nice. Why not just go the full Continental kit? Now that would be impressive. :cool:

[Jester]

I'm considering incorporating one of these between the rear quick jacks:

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQVRWHEGUa2QodTAEbR3mArosczAJ0y rKdmZr7ZxRnswx_D0LcZQ

What do y'all think? ;)

Jeff

Interesting - I don't think that has been done before.

May work better incorporating into the luggage rack? Should be functional but looks - not sure?

I assume there is a low profile rim-tire combo to fit into the limited trunk space?

Let us know what you decide.

Thx

[skullandbones]

Jeff could do the fake fur thing in the trunk along with the continental and really "pimp out" his car!!! It's not so good on AX though so those easily removed quick jack devices he came up with will make that doable. Have fun. WEK

[Gumball]

Well, as other's have suggested, I have the following:

AAA card
plug kit
fix-a-flat
compact 12v compressor

But, I also have a low profile scissors jack and the 17" space saver spare from the donor car (two of the few donor parts I used) that I intend to carry on day-trips when I'm alone and have room. The circumfrence is the same as that of the wheels / tires I'm using, so it's a good fit. The reason is that if I have an unrepairable failure - i.e., sidewall puncture/tear or something similar and can't wait for AAA (due to weather or a dangerous area), I can put the flat in the passenger seat and be on my way.

I made a tab that is riveted to the upper trunk floor. The spare goes face down, allowing the trunk lid hinge to fit in the recess on the rear of the wheel. The whole thing is held in place with a "J" hook, disc, and large wing-nut just like a production car.

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/TrunkwithSpareTire.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/TrunkwithSpareTire.jpg.html)

[Jester]

Well, as other's have suggested, I have the following:

AAA card
plug kit
fix-a-flat
compact 12v compressor

But, I also have a low profile scissors jack and the 17" space saver spare from the donor car (two of the few donor parts I used) that I intend to carry on day-trips when I'm alone and have room. The circumfrence is the same as that of the wheels / tires I'm using, so it's a good fit. The reason is that if I have an unrepairable failure - i.e., sidewall puncture/tear or something similar and can't wait for AAA (due to weather or a dangerous area), I can put the flat in the passenger seat and be on my way.

I made a tab that is riveted to the upper trunk floor. The spare goes face down, allowing the trunk lid hinge to fit in the recess on the rear of the wheel. The whole thing is held in place with a "J" hook, disc, and large wing-nut just like a production car.

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/TrunkwithSpareTire.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/TrunkwithSpareTire.jpg.html)

Looks great Chris - this is what I was thinking / hoping for. What are the specs for the rim/tire combo. I have 13inch brakes off the 93-95 Mustang Cobra so assume the space saver spare from this year and model would work / fit as you have done?

Thx

[Gumball]

Yep - my space saver is off a '94 SVT Cobra, so it's designed to work with the 13" front and 11.65" rear brakes. I'm actually changing to the GT front brakes so I can run 15" wheels, but the tires I'm going to use on those fifteens will be the same rolling circumference.

[fireman2343]

Fix a flat is just a temporary fix. I ruins the inside of the tire and the foam throws off correct ability to balance a tire, especially the fronts. Just stick with AAA for $125 bucks a year for 4 100-mile tows and always request a flat bed and you will be fine.

[Bob Cowan]

Chris, before going much further on that mod, use your planned rear tire and see if it will fit in that space. A 295 or 315 tire on a 10" wheel might be too big for that space.

[Carlos C]

Like others here, I used to carry the following items on my donor, without the benefit of a spare tire:
- Fix-A-Flat
- Tire plugging kit
- A small car battery-operated air compressor

Those items would take care of a flat tire, except for a catastrophic tire failure. Which is the reason I also have a membership with Allstate Motor Club. Having all these items gave me peace of mind, but I can't remember how many eons ago I had to deal with a flat tire, so I've never had to use these items on the road.

Carlos