Traveler without the Spare

[lally14]

Please offer a Traveler model that doesn’t come with a spare, but just a flat repair kit and an air compressor to inflate the tire. If you guys do offer this model, make sure the back looks great with more tail lights etc. Not like the way it looks currently underneath the spare (ugly). This will decrease the gross weight and improve mileage. Fact is that no one changes a flat tire anymore. Ppl call roadside or just take it to a tire shop. And for the hardcore off-roaders who take it way off the beaten path, believe me they all know how to fix a flat with a flat repair kit and inflate.

 

[J Alynn]

Please offer a Traveler model that doesn’t come with a spare, but just a flat repair kit and an air compressor to inflate the tire. If you guys do offer this model, make sure the back looks great with more tail lights etc. Not like the way it looks currently underneath the spare (ugly). This will decrease the gross weight and improve mileage. Fact is that no one changes a flat tire anymore. Ppl call roadside or just take it to a tire shop. And for the hardcore off-roaders who take it way off the beaten path, believe me they all know how to fix a flat with a flat repair kit and inflate.

Welcome. If you spend time reading through the threads you’ll learn the spare in back is an option. Dig around using the search button and you can find out more.
Enjoy the forum!

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Please offer a Traveler model that doesn’t come with a spare, but just a flat repair kit and an air compressor to inflate the tire. If you guys do offer this model, make sure the back looks great with more tail lights etc. Not like the way it looks currently underneath the spare (ugly). This will decrease the gross weight and improve mileage. Fact is that no one changes a flat tire anymore. Ppl call roadside or just take it to a tire shop. And for the hardcore off-roaders who take it way off the beaten path, believe me they all know how to fix a flat with a flat repair kit and inflate.

Blow a side wall on your tire and that fix a flat does zero good. I’ll just keep the spare tire.

 

[Seawind]

Please offer a Traveler model that doesn’t come with a spare, but just a flat repair kit and an air compressor to inflate the tire. If you guys do offer this model, make sure the back looks great with more tail lights etc. Not like the way it looks currently underneath the spare (ugly). This will decrease the gross weight and improve mileage. Fact is that no one changes a flat tire anymore. Ppl call roadside or just take it to a tire shop. And for the hardcore off-roaders who take it way off the beaten path, believe me they all know how to fix a flat with a flat repair kit and inflate.

Scout Motors, please ignore the suggestion to omit a spare. It is refreshing to see a new vehicle offered with a full size spare and jack. My vehicle will go off-road, and not all holes are fixable with Fix-a-Flat. A sidewall gash is absolutely not fixable at all.

 

[Logan]

Yep, the spare tire carrier is supposed to be an option (and be removable). That’s a big deal to me because my garage won’t fit the traveler in it with the spare tire carrier on (hot water heater/furnace takes up space). I might put on the spare tire carrier for longer trips though.

The frunk is supposed to include an air compressor (or at least one is mocked up in there at the moment). So a can of fix a flat or few and the onboard compressor might be a good option if you’re not going far off the beaten path.

Also, I there could be spare tire mounts inside the rear lift gate area for the traveler (like my old jeep ZJ), and I swear that they mentioned underfloor/under vehicle storage was possible on the traveler too (but not the harvester version).

I’d also suggest that many owners might be open to having a spare, that was less than full size (but not a tiny temporary doughnut). Either same diameter and narrower (to save space inside the lift gate area), or both smaller diameter and/or narrower width. Like a 33in spare for the 35’s. Not ideal, but a whole lot better than nothing if things go wrong.

I wholeheartedly disagree that “no one changes flat tires anymore” though. I understand personal lived experiences are all different, and I’m probably biased the other way. But I literally don’t know anyone who has ever called a service to change a flat tire, or called a tow truck for the same thing. Might just be my upbringing though.

 

[oldgeeksguide]

Please offer a Traveler model that doesn’t come with a spare, but just a flat repair kit and an air compressor to inflate the tire. If you guys do offer this model, make sure the back looks great with more tail lights etc. Not like the way it looks currently underneath the spare (ugly). This will decrease the gross weight and improve mileage. Fact is that no one changes a flat tire anymore. Ppl call roadside or just take it to a tire shop. And for the hardcore off-roaders who take it way off the beaten path, believe me they all know how to fix a flat with a flat repair kit and inflate.

Admittedly tires have gotten better and I don’t get flats as often as I used to, at least not in everyday driving, but last time I got a flat I changed it. Didn’t want to wait 45 min to an hour and a half for AAA. I wouldn’t mind having a smaller spare that fit under the floor or something, though. I’ve seen rumors, but haven’t heard definitively what options will be available if you don’t want the big spare on the back. Dealing with the swing arm every time I want to access the back could get old fast, plus it won’t fit in my garage.

But I’m sure most off roaders still rely on a real, full size spare, so it makes sense to highlight that capability.

 

[Logan]

I do think that it is important to have different spare tire locations, particularly for the Traveler. So for any scout employees reading this, please take that into account.

Here are the options I'd love, personally.

• External spare tire carrier (confirmed, optional)
  • Pros:
    • Great for full size spares, particularly in larger sizes.
    • Saves interior space
    • Removeable
  • Cons:
    • Extends Overall Length massively (~18in), making fitment in small garages difficult
    • Makes accessing the rear liftgate storage area more cumbersome
    • Makes using certain rear accessories difficult (hitch mounted bike racks for instance)
• Rear Liftgate Storage Area (not mentioned, but possible?)
  • Pros:
    • More Aerodynamic than external carrier
    • Shorter vehicle length fits in more garages/parking areas.
    • Doesn't interfere with hitch mounted rear accessories.
  • Cons:
    • Uses a lot of rear liftgate storage space
    • You may have to unpack the storage space to remove/access the spare tire
• Under floor storage area (confirmed for Terra, I think mentioned for Traveler?)
  • Pros:
    • Efficient use of interior/external space
    • More aerodynamic than external carrier
    • Saves internal cargo floor space.
  • Cons:
    • Likely only available on the BEV version?
    • Likely limited in the size of the spare that will fit (diameter, width, or both).
    • Access to the spare may be more difficult/involve unloading any cargo in the storage area (if its an underfloor spare accessed from the top/inside the storage area.

With the compressor potentially being built in, I do think that having a can of fix-a-flat could be a viable alternative, if someone isn't going off the beaten path/has AAA/doesn't want to deal with changing a flat, or simply wants more storage space when driving locally.

But I do want the option to have a spare. And I would be willing to use a smaller than full size spare if needed (not an emergency doughnut, but like a 33x10.5x18 or something could be a decent spare for a 35x12.50R18 if needed), but still want the option to carry a full size spare if desired.

The ultimate goal is flexibility of storage/length metrics, while individually adjusting our risk tolerance with the quality/size of the spare. So I might toss on the optional rear tire carrier for a long road trip through the mountains to keep space in the rear for more cargo, but around town I would use the in rear storage area spare, to make it fit in my garage.

 

[cyure]

I can see all points of view on this topic and I get why some would not want a full size spare for space concerns. I however respectfully disagree. Years ago we moved from California to Illinois. We were driving 1995 miles in my Wrangler with all our pets to get them to their new home. House was empty and we were getting ready to leave and I got a low tire warning. Nail in the tire. Thank goodness for that full size spare. Put that on and just said a little prayer we didn’t get a flat along the way. We made that 1995 mile drive in 38 hours and I will never not have a full size spare on my vehicle again. I love the look of the tire carrier in the back and thankfully it will fit in my garage. I’m team full size spare and keep it on the back for me.

 

[J Alynn]

I can see all points of view on this topic and I get why some would not want a full size spare for space concerns. I however respectfully disagree. Years ago we moved from California to Illinois. We were driving 1995 miles in my Wrangler with all our pets to get them to their new home. House was empty and we were getting ready to leave and I got a low tire warning. Nail in the tire. Thank goodness for that full size spare. Put that on and just said a little prayer we didn’t get a flat along the way. We made that 1995 mile drive in 38 hours and I will never not have a full size spare on my vehicle again. I love the look of the tire carrier in the back and thankfully it will fit in my garage. I’m team full size spare and keep it on the back for me.

OMG. Is that your schnauzer? Grew up with them. Now the females in my house have allergies. Still love meeting new schnauzers!

 

[International Bulldog]

I would think a good option would be keep the full size spare as standard with the option to delete it (and deduct the cost)