Ever since I went to 35" tires, i've hated how much of my bed gets used up with my spare tire (since a 35" doesn't fit in the factory spare location). There is some cool bed mounting options available, but really none would work with the tonneau cover I have since the tire would stick up to high. I love my locking sliding bed cover, so getting rid of it is not an option.

So, i've decided to build this for my truck:



This will allow my to mount my spare up above my bed cover while still allowing my bed cover to slide open and close as normal. Additionally, I can mount my hi-lift, shovel, and ax (all currently in my bed too) on the rack too if I want.

So I thought I would chronicle this build here as I go. Here's what my pickup looks like now with the bed cover (I no longer have the bed stripes by the way, this is an older picture).


More to come.

 

Does the rack move/pivot/slide out of the way, if you want to access large objects under it? (in the bed)

 

Forgot to mention, i'm planning to do this on a budget too.

Ok, here is Phase 1 - acquire parts.
I picked this up yesterday off Craigslist. It is a Yakima LoadWarrior.
Dimensions are 44” x 39” x 6.5”. Came with all the mounting hardware except cross rails/bars. Retails for $269. i paid $160.

 

Ya, my design that I am still drafting up was going to have a swivel system so that I could swivel it out to the side. I'd like to also have quick disconnects (locking) so that it can be removed easily if I want. These added details will depend on my budget. It may just be a permanent mount that I will have to unbolt to get off. Depends on what it will all cost.

 

Silver, I like it. Looking forward to your unfolding.



Question: How about the tire mounted on back of the tailgate using a frame? Only reason to ask is that the 35" tire takes up so much room in that basket. I also realize you may be making a much larger basket.


When I get to this point of anchoring my spare, I was considering going and fabbing something like the tiregate.com option.

 

Oh, you scored a basket!! Dooood

 

Purchased this off eBay last night. It is the Yakima tire mount specifically for the Loadwarrior rack I just bought. Holds a tire up to 35". Retails for $89. I paid $69.

 

I already have the hi-lift mounting brackets and shovel/axe mounting brackets (both have locking capability), so that is all good to go. Will figure out a way to lock the spare tire too.

Next up, the cross bars. Need something strong so that it can span the width of the bed (over 60") without sagging or bowing.

 

What about mounting it on some angle iron, and using something like a track system to slide it out of the way? The mount would remain stationary, would just require being creative when packing the bed.

 

I have seen ppl with tonneau covers (don't know how) mount the yaks or thule cross bars. No idea how to the bed though.

I've also seen dual cross bars, primary and secondary. The secondary was used to hold the basket or similar so that it was sitting between the longer width primary bars, and lower. My view was from a ways.