Spare tire delete idea

[Akari]

I understand flat tires can happen, but in the hundreds of thousands of miles I've driven I've only had one. This doesn't say that I cannot get a flat but rather says statistically, based on my driving habits/history, that the chance of me getting a flat on any given day is very near zero. In the same time I've had 5 alternators die yet I don't carry a spare alternator in my trunk.

Car problems happen but honestly I would rather have the added trunk space than carry around a spare tire, spare alternator, spare radiator hoses and everything else that could possibly break. Tire repair kits, that can easily fit in the glove box, will fix 90% of tire punctures much quicker than putting a spare on anyway.

[cnk]

Honestly, if you're needing more trunk space, then you probably bought the wrong car for your needs. If you need to carry something larger, fold the rear seats down since that's what they're meant for. Let's say you remove the spare tire, then you're left with 2 choices, either use the trunk mat or taking that out as well. If you leave the mat in, then you have no center support for the mat. If you take it out, then you've got the space, but you'll see the bare sheet metal.

Guess I just don't see the risk/reward analysis to be worth it. In the end, it's your car, do what you want with it.

[kajun]

Note in Australia we have flat boots, with the tire repair goo. Most people get around just fine. This is what the mats look like (carpet plus rubber/plastic overlay):


Edit: and those who want peace of mind buy space saver spares from old WRXs

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by kajun

Note in Australia we have flat boots, with the tire repair goo. Most people get around just fine.

If you don't have a spare tire, what's in that space under the trunk (boot) mat?

[kajun]

Foam surround to hold the tire goo.

[Speed2th]

sometimes you would wish you carry a condom with you too

[Davev]

.

[DavidBob]

I dont think weight reduction is the reason op wanted to do it, he said he would want to remove that stuff for extra trunk spacer and i totally agree with him. Have you guys seen the trunk without the stuff in there and without the liner? Its sooooo much bigger.

[jasonojordan]

Necro on this thread but relevant. Has anyone out there come up with anything at this point yet? I'm of the same mindset as the OP I have AAA and rather then **** around on the side of the freeway and risk my life to change on the spare Id rather wait. Can't count how many times a day I see people not move over for people on the side of the road. In my 10 years of driving the only time I have needed a spare and not had one it would of done me no good as I hit a pothole and took out both passenger side wheels and tires.

[gramicci101]

A number of people have turned that spot into a subwoofer. The actual mount for the spare is tack welded on, so it's pretty easy to cut it off and grind the tack welds flat, which frees up a lot of space.


For myself, I have no need of that space and I'm not on a weight-saving adventure, so I just leave it in there. There's no harm in leaving it in, and maybe one day I'll need it.

[jasonojordan]

What im looking for is some sort of insert thats not going to add alot of weight but be ridged to pile stuff in the trunk still ( IE Groceries) and not have the trunk liner collapse into the hole Also I like to store summer stuff in there (IE roadside kit, frisbee, rain gear, bugspray.)

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by jasonojordan

What im looking for is some sort of insert thats not going to add alot of weight but be ridged to pile stuff in the trunk still ( IE Groceries) and not have the trunk liner collapse into the hole Also I like to store summer stuff in there (IE roadside kit, frisbee, rain gear, bugspray.)

I took everything out of my trunk (my s2000) and painted the inside flat black. Looked nice. Then bags have a "hole" to sit in and not roll around.


Murphy's law applies to me... So gotta keep the spare.

Edit: Here is the photo that inspired me.

via Imgflip Meme Generator

[jasonojordan]

I've considered that but in the brz if you remove the trunk carpet you have alot of exposed wire connections and what not.

[funwheeldrive]

Originally Posted by jasonojordan

What im looking for is some sort of insert thats not going to add alot of weight but be ridged to pile stuff in the trunk still ( IE Groceries) and not have the trunk liner collapse into the hole Also I like to store summer stuff in there (IE roadside kit, frisbee, rain gear, bugspray.)

I don't think the spare tire provides any structural support to the trunk liner. I could be wrong though.


I have had my spare out for years and loaded the car up with groceries and never noticed any strain from the weight.


I kept the Styrofoam inserts that hold the jack/lug wrench though. I don't know if that makes any difference.