structural integrity (minus spare tire)
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,601
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco CA
St. Jude Donor '07
structural integrity (minus spare tire)
Has anyone got any thoughts on this? I know a lot are running without spares, but does it affect the structure? I've read in the manual to ALWAYS keep a tire back there, but I don't know how much it contributes, if at all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 213
From: Pittsburgh PA
In the right crash situation, I think it would help provide a cushion between your back and the other guy's bumper. It may also keep the gas tank from being that cushion all by itself. That's why I keep mine in place. Remember the Pinto.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 352
Likes: 11
From: Glendale AZ
Spare tire
Not quite on topic but last time I took the spare tire out to be sure it had air in it prior to a road trip I put a piece of carpet in the carrier. Now the spare tire is lying on that piece of carpet and another squeak has been eliminated.
David
David
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 866
Likes: 1
From: Peabody,MA,USA
I think that the spare tire adds about as much structural integrity as the luggage rack. The manual probably wants you to keep a tire back there in case you get a flat tire. I have never had a flat in my Vette in 15 years but I still have the tire back there. I have never even taken my jack out. I hope it still works.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 0
From: largo florida
It really doesnt make sense. It doesnt seem like there would be much protection if any. The tire holder is just fiberglass. It isnt going to take much at all for those 3 attachment points to be ripped right off. After that happens, where is the cushion?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,906
Likes: 0
From: Berlin
The holder clearly doesn't have any strength, but the spare wheel would be quite strong if it were wedged against something in a collision. I haven't looked for it, but I wouldn't be surprised if the wheel would be pushed into the differential and/or crossmember. It might just rotate and fall away though. Someone should go look at it.
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Lima Ohio
Originally Posted by aharte
The holder clearly doesn't have any strength, but the spare wheel would be quite strong if it were wedged against something in a collision. I haven't looked for it, but I wouldn't be surprised if the wheel would be pushed into the differential and/or crossmember. It might just rotate and fall away though. Someone should go look at it.
Or do some road tests. My spare tire carrier is out.....maybe I'll just stand on the brakes on the highway and see what happens. I'll need someone else with a spare tire to do the same, and then we'll compare results.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
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From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
Originally Posted by cw823
Or do some road tests. My spare tire carrier is out.....maybe I'll just stand on the brakes on the highway and see what happens. I'll need someone else with a spare tire to do the same, and then we'll compare results.
The only true way to test that procedure would be on the LA freeways during the beginning of rush hour. You see it's always bumper to bumper there, but the beginning of rush hour everyone is still driving 90 miles per hour. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
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From: largo florida
Originally Posted by aharte
The holder clearly doesn't have any strength, but the spare wheel would be quite strong if it were wedged against something in a collision. I haven't looked for it, but I wouldn't be surprised if the wheel would be pushed into the differential and/or crossmember. It might just rotate and fall away though. Someone should go look at it.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Lapeer MI
I think it will help. But ony .00000000001%. With that said I'm leaving my out. I think if it does help it won't be noticable. Not only that but there are several other directions to get hit from. I think loud exhaust would be a better saftey factor then the spare tire.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
I believe the tire could make a considerablr difference especially with the gas tank right uptop. however in todays SUV world I'm mor worried about getting my head taken off as te bumper slides up the body.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 0
From: largo florida
I dont really see how it could. The tire tub is non structural, it is made of fiberglass and only has the 2 pivots in the rear and the lip in front. That is the only thing holding the spare tire up there. It definately would not take much force to tear the tub off.
