Under car mount spare wheel/tire?

[ChrisKitKatGreen]

Since having had the chain mechanism freeze up on my '91 pickup it's the first thing I now do on similar mechanisms. Had the pickup that long eventually it just completely dropped off, luckily in the field while checking the cows.

My spare was showing a little low on pressure, and since you can’t air it up in the raised position , I decided to drop it at home and air it up. Glad I did this before I needed it! The chain had fallen into one of the bolt holes and was lifting the tire back up! I had to jam it out with a large screwdriver to free it. Once I got it aired up and sorted, I filled the open bolt holes with spare foam from a lithium battery swap on my motorcycle. I just cut the foam and stuffed it in the holes. Problem solved; but SO glad I checked it on a 65° sunny day in my driveway.

 

[MSINAL]

I agree with Hammer the Wall... it may be hard to access, but I'd rather have it when needed. However, I wish Toyota would mount it with the tire fill stem located toward the ground, so the air pressure can be controlled without having to lower the spare to adjust air pressure!

Get one of these reverse head air chucks. You can fill the tire from back side. This is a cheap one from harborfreight. Use something better for measuring pressure. Still good idea to lower the tire and inspect periodically.

 

[Sugarloafer80]

Dudes, take a minute and work the mechanism.totally penny wise pound foolish.

 

[lc_florida]

My spare was showing a little low on pressure, and since you can’t air it up in the raised position , I decided to drop it at home and air it up. Glad I did this before I needed it! The chain had fallen into one of the bolt holes and was lifting the tire back up! I had to jam it out with a large screwdriver to free it. Once I got it aired up and sorted, I filled the open bolt holes with spare foam from a lithium battery swap on my motorcycle. I just cut the foam and stuffed it in the holes. Problem solved; but SO glad I checked it on a 65° sunny day in my driveway.

I just had the same exact thing happen. I would’ve been pretty screwed if I didn’t notice this until I needed the spare.