Any savvy inventors out there?

[Crunch]

After a long, half-assed search I was finally able to find a steel rim to use as a replacement for my spare tire. I couldn't believe how hard it was to find a salvage yard that even had one, and all the ones that did were charging around $150. Today I got one for $50, which is only slightly higher than what I was thinking it should be. After I got it home my thoughts moved to winching it up under the truck after get a tire for it. And the winching it up is something that I really don't like, for some reason. The breaking out of the cheesy jack under the seat, connecting the pieces, cranking it down and up, etc. All that got me wondering why someone hasn't invented a motorized winch that can be operated from the cab of the truck, or even with a phone app. So if it hasn't already been invented, have at it. My laziness is an idea in the public domain for anyone who wants it...

 

[Timd32]

Maybe just use a battery drill/impact driver.

I always seem to have mine in the truck for work tools. If you don't then that might not work.

 

[Yo Hoot]

After a long, half-assed search I was finally able to find a steel rim to use as a replacement for my spare tire. I couldn't believe how hard it was to find a salvage yard that even had one, and all the ones that did were charging around $150. Today I got one for $50, which is only slightly higher than what I was thinking it should be. After I got it home my thoughts moved to winching it up under the truck after get a tire for it. And the winching it up is something that I really don't like, for some reason. The breaking out of the cheesy jack under the seat, connecting the pieces, cranking it down and up, etc. All that got me wondering why someone hasn't invented a motorized winch that can be operated from the cab of the truck, or even with a phone app. So if it hasn't already been invented, have at it. My laziness is an idea in the public domain for anyone who wants it...

I had my original factory spare from 2004 until 2 years ago when we moved from PA to Texas. Funny thing is it was sitting along side my shop since the truck was new cause the train horn took its place. 18 years and 203,000 miles.. never needed a spare.

 

[User113]

If you search a bit you will find a number of tire lift winches on custom expedition vehicles. While I have seen some that are motorized, many of them are lifting an incredibly heavy spare tire to a mount shoulder high or higher on the back of the vehicle or into a basket over the cab using manually powered winches.

You have to acknowledge the reality of the situation. As Yo Hoot said:

18 years and 203,000 miles.. never needed a spare.

That's one reason a motorized tire lift winch, particularity for raising the spare a couple of feet, won't ever become a really hot selling item. Put the motorized winch on your bumper instead.

 

[Crunch]

I always seem to have mine in the truck for work tools. If you don't then that might not work.

Yeah, I seldom have mine in the truck unless I know I am going to need it. What do you use as an interface to reach between the drill and the tire winch?

I had my original factory spare from 2004 until 2 years ago when we moved from PA to Texas. Funny thing is it was sitting along side my shop since the truck was new cause the train horn took its place. 18 years and 203,000 miles.. never needed a spare.

Same here. Never had need of a spare--until last year after a tread separation. And the Tread of Separation ripped my spare tire from the winch and sent it spinning off into the universe. But since the spare was 20 years old and I had hundreds of miles to go before I got home I figured it was a blessing in disguise. If the 20 year old spare failed it would have been at night and who knows where.

That's one reason a motorized tire lift winch, particularity for raising the spare a couple of feet, won't ever become a really hot selling item. Put the motorized winch on your bumper instead.

I hear your point. Never had a flat in this truck myself, but I know people who get them regularly. I could see not buying one aftermarket, it doesn't seem like it would be a problem if it was a standard item on pickup trucks, or at least an option when buying one new. I would equate it to power windows/door locks and intermittent washers. Larger trucks could definitely be a problem. I couldn't believe how hard it was to find a 6.5" x 8, 17" rim for this truck. Any place that did have one was charging upwards of $150--and that included salvage yards! I finally found a salvage yard that sold me one for $50, and I today I picked up a used tire for another $50. It was even a Michelin similar to what I've always had on my truck, but it wasn't an "E" rated tire. But it can hang where it is for another 20 years and I won't care.

 

[Timd32]

Yeah, I seldom have mine in the truck unless I know I am going to need it. What do you use as an interface to reach between the drill and the tire winch?

Not a clue! Never tried it or had any of mine down. Dont think my 96 has a spare. At work we take these manual crank handles cut the end off and use drills on them.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

And the winching it up is something that I really don't like, for some reason. The breaking out of the cheesy jack under the seat, connecting the pieces, cranking it down and up, etc. All that got me wondering why someone hasn't invented a motorized winch that can be operated from the cab of the truck, or even with a phone app. So if it hasn't already been invented, have at it. My laziness is an idea in the public domain for anyone who wants it...

In my opinion its not really worth it.

The majority of mfgs. today don't include a spare tire, much less a full size spare unless you have a full sized truck or SUV. I drive a roll back for AAA and can tell you on one hand how many cars I've seen with a full sized matching spare. A mid twenty teens Lexus LS460. Full sized matching alloy spare, full spare tire kit/tools. Almost all mfgs are ditching the doughnut for weight savings and putting in a cheap air compressor and fix a flat goo in the styro-foam tray where the spare would be.

When talking about full sized trucks and SUVs; the heavier they get the higher load rating/more plies the tire has. The mass majority of my tows for flat blow outs are for just about everything with a lower rating than E. Thicker sidewalls, thicker belt, deeper tread to penetrate all play a factor. The use of a spare is rare for larger vehicles.

Even when people have a spare tire (if they actually check) the mass majority of people don't know how to change one and call a road side service like AAA to do it.

All this to say that the market for an electric winch for the spare tire on a full sized truck or suv would be incredibly small. Not that making the product itself would be costly r/d but it'd be a gimmick that almost never gets used at best. That and why change what isn't broken. A mechanical winch that barely gets used and requires over the course of its life next to no maintence. God for bid mfgs make that electrical too like parking brakes.

Here is a better idea (I think), A vehicle with a hybrid system that can charge the 12v battery and or supply 12v for the vehicles systems if the 12v battery dies from the hybrid battery system. Why on earth do you have a massive hybrid battery system without an inverter able to supply 12v for the vehicles systems as a fail safe. I just towed a 2023 Rav4 Hybrid that would not turn on without jumping the 12v battery despite the hybrid battery being charged.

 

[Crunch]

The majority of mfgs. today don't include a spare tire, much less a full size spare unless you have a full sized truck or SUV.

Even when people have a spare tire (if they actually check) the mass majority of people don't know how to change one

Two of the saddest vehicular related statements I have seen in a long while. I remember as a kid, helping my dad change tires every year when it came time to put the "snow tires" on, then helping him change back to the "rest of the year" tires in the Spring. So by the time I was old enough to drive I could probably change a tire while blindfolded. In my opinion, any adult guy who doesn't now how to change a tire should not just feel embarrassed, but humiliated. Makes me wonder if a young dude knowing how to change a tire these days would be impressive to the ladies, or derisively peasanty...

 

[seafish]

Makes me wonder if a young dude knowing how to change a tire these days would be impressive to the ladies, or derisively peasanty...

Better for me just to have already taught my daughter how to do car mechanic basics like rotate her tires and change her oil/filter etc.

That way there is NO need to for her to wait on the side of the road for some young dude who may or may not know how!!

Just sayin'

 

[Topzide]

I did the same with my son when he was growing up! Had him helping, then doing oil changes. He know how and where all things needed to change a tire before he got his license. Had him do brakes all way round on current car before starting new job that toke him far from home. Helped him understand how things worked and even if he had to have a shop do work, didn't feel like he'd get taken! Great skill set to teach anyone before they get out and drive on their own! Plus there is self satisfaction in being able to help yourself then have to be rescued. I'll offer assistance or at least use truck as safety shield for someone who's changing a tire. Guess I'm still old school.

 

[Crunch]

Helped him understand how things worked and even if he had to have a shop do work, didn't feel like he'd get taken! Great skill set to teach anyone before they get out and drive on their own! Plus there is self satisfaction in being able to help yourself then have to be rescued.

Yeah, it would be embarrassing to tell people that your kid paid for new muffler bearings or to have their blinker fluid topped off...

I loved Rush Limbaugh, but cringed every time he told the story about how a mechanic got $800 out of him to replace the disgronificator in his Bonneville. Strange times we are living in. Poor people covered in expensive tattoos, Zoomers paying a delivery service to bring fast food from a place that is in walking distance, people can't change a tire or check the oil. I get a definite impression that a large segment of young society looks down on people who can do things for themselves and don't mind doing routine repairs or maintenance on their vehicles or mow their own lawn. But when something serious happens, I want to be there to see the looks on their faces when they find out food doesn't come from the grocery store.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

But when something serious happens, I want to be there to see the looks on their faces when they find out food doesn't come from the grocery store.

Something serious did happen at least on the east coast when a gas companies pipeline got hacked and held for ransom.

The ever intelligent general American public freaked out causing a self instilled run on fuel in which people thought it was a good idea to put fuel in plastic bags.