Spare tire carrier optional on Traveler? Alternative locations for mounting spare tire?

[rfk]

Just looking for speculation, obviously -

Might the Traveler offer means to carry spare underbody, like Terra? Or perhaps mounted/standing to one side inside the vehicle?

I'd prefer to remove the exterior swinging-gate carrier and have the split tailgate unobstructed. YMMV.

 

[Scout Fan]

Scout Motors has confirmed that the spare tire carrier on the Traveler SUV will be optional. is considering having the spare tire carrier be optional.

But it looks like it's removable - see photo of the hinge pin on the spare tire carrier.

Removing (or not optioning the spare tire carrier) reduces the length of the Traveler SUV by 17"

Length With Spare Wheel Carrier: 207.9 in​

Length Without Spare Wheel Carrier: 190.9 in​

But no word yet on whether the Traveler SUV will be able to fit a 33" tire underbody like the Terra Pickup. This wasn't mentioned in the specs / press release, so my guess is that as of now, it can't. Or else they would have boasted that ability for the Traveler.

 

[rfk]

Scout Motors has confirmed that the spare tire carrier on the Traveler SUV will be optional. And it's also removable - see photo of the hinge pin on the spare tire carrier.

Removing (or not optioning the spare tire carrier) reduces the length of the Traveler SUV by 17"

Length With Spare Wheel Carrier: 207.9 in​

Length Without Spare Wheel Carrier: 190.9 in​

But no word yet on whether the Traveler SUV will be able to fit a 33" tire underbody like the Terra Pickup. This wasn't mentioned in the specs / press release, so my guess is that as of now, it can't. Or else they would have boasted that ability for the Traveler.

Great info, couldn't find any info using Google. Thanks!

 

[Miranda]

I'm delighted to hear it is optional! It looks great but I think it could be problematic loading cargo. I could just see it slamming into an adjacent car in a parking lot. It seems like they would have to offer an undermounting if the rear mount is an upgrade.

I also like "removable". I would hang it up in the garage and only use it for long trips.

 

[DriveAllNight]

I'm delighted to hear it is optional! It looks great but I think it could be problematic loading cargo. I could just see it slamming into an adjacent car in a parking lot. It seems like they would have to offer an undermounting if the rear mount is an upgrade.

I also like "removable". I would hang it up in the garage and only use it for long trips.

Wranglers, Broncos ,even the Honda Ridgelines have tailgates that swing open... it's really not an issue slamming into an adjacent car.

 

[mfreidberg]

I have a tailgate-mounted spare on my Defender. One suggestion for Scout, if they are reading these posts - have the spare carrier swing the other way (hinge on the driver's side, not the passenger's side). Defender swings the same way the prototype Traveler's does - which means when you parallel park and open the tailgate, you have to manuver around the gate/spare just to get your groceries to the curb. Opening on the driver's side puts the spare out of the way, opposite where I'm about to walk, between me and oncoming traffic. I assume the Defender's tailgate opens to our passenger side because it's a British car, and works well when you drive on the "wrong" side of the road - it was probably too expensive to reverse the way they had to reverse the steering wheel to be able to sell the cars here.

But the Traveler is "American designed, American made, for American drivers" or whatever Scout keeps saying. Move the hinge on the spare tire carrier and it will work better in America.

 

[commadorebob]

That ticks off one major concern my wife has. The other is the weird decision to put the power button on the steering wheel. I will 100% accidentally hit it in that location.

 

[Miranda]

I have a tailgate-mounted spare on my Defender. One suggestion for Scout, if they are reading these posts - have the spare carrier swing the other way (hinge on the driver's side, not the passenger's side). Defender swings the same way the prototype Traveler's does - which means when you parallel park and open the tailgate, you have to manuver around the gate/spare just to get your groceries to the curb. Opening on the driver's side puts the spare out of the way, opposite where I'm about to walk, between me and oncoming traffic. I assume the Defender's tailgate opens to our passenger side because it's a British car, and works well when you drive on the "wrong" side of the road - it was probably too expensive to reverse the way they had to reverse the steering wheel to be able to sell the cars here.

But the Traveler is "American designed, American made, for American drivers" or whatever Scout keeps saying. Move the hinge on the spare tire carrier and it will work better in America.

Great observation, you should send that in as a suggestion!

 

[Miranda]

Wranglers, Broncos ,even the Honda Ridgelines have tailgates that swing open... it's really not an issue slamming into an adjacent car.

I've never had one of those but always wondered does it stop at 90 degrees and hold position? Just seems like it would be cumbersome in general with groceries, etc.

 

[bilash31]

Regarding the tailgate swing direction…
Agreed Interesting observation. Unfortunately counter to that would be the annoyance of those with driveways on one side of their home that would make them have to get out and have to maneuver around the other side of the vehicle to access cargo. Or those that parallel park on the opposite side of the street ( say if a one way) that you’re describing. Or the amount of people like in my neighborhood that park in front of their house facing the wrong way opposing traffic. Seems like a good thought but ultimately probably a can’t win decision.

 

[bilash31]

I've never had one of those but always wondered does it stop at 90 degrees and hold position? Just seems like it would be cumbersome in general with groceries, etc.

Other than Jeep’s I am unsure. Likely do.
But wranglers tailgates (newer are better than older ones) now have a mechanism with indents that hold at several open degrees, a bit more than 90 max. But no they won’t uncontrollably swing into vehicles on either side. Now admittedly if the original concern discussing adjacent (if meant as nearby and not next to) was for a vehicle parked behind, then yes you would need to be a bit careful as swing outs need more room than lift gates.

 

[mfreidberg]

Regarding the tailgate swing direction…
Agreed Interesting observation. Unfortunately counter to that would be the annoyance of those with driveways on one side of their home that would make them have to get out and have to maneuver around the other side of the vehicle to access cargo. Or those that parallel park on the opposite side of the street ( say if a one way) that you’re describing. Or the amount of people like in my neighborhood that park in front of their house facing the wrong way opposing traffic. Seems like a good thought but ultimately probably a can’t win decision.

I hear you, but having lived with it for a few years, I can assure you that the number of times I park on the right side of the road vastly exceeds the number of times I park on the left side of the road. It's usually in the way. There's a reason a UK-designed car put the hinge where they did.

 

[mfreidberg]

I've never had one of those but always wondered does it stop at 90 degrees and hold position? Just seems like it would be cumbersome in general with groceries, etc.

The Defender has a detent that holds it at roughly 90 degrees - maybe a little more. And 99% of the time that works well. But if you're parked while driving across a slope with your passenger side significantly above your driver side, the detent isn't strong enough to hold the door open. That's a real issue in that rare circumstance, because the door with a spare tire on it is heavy. It's hard to unload the back by yourself in that case - you need someone to hold the door open for you.

 

[Scout Fan]

Scout Motors has confirmed that the spare tire carrier on the Traveler SUV will be optional. And it's also removable - see photo of the hinge pin on the spare tire carrier.

Removing (or not optioning the spare tire carrier) reduces the length of the Traveler SUV by 17"

Length With Spare Wheel Carrier: 207.9 in​

Length Without Spare Wheel Carrier: 190.9 in​

But no word yet on whether the Traveler SUV will be able to fit a 33" tire underbody like the Terra Pickup. This wasn't mentioned in the specs / press release, so my guess is that as of now, it can't. Or else they would have boasted that ability for the Traveler.

Some more views of the spare tire carrier - taken by JAllyn

 

[Stumpy]

Having wheel carrier be optional is a good move. Why not give customers the choice, it'd only helps sell more Scouts.

Unless they just like the look (that's me), most owners aren't ever going to need their spare, but requiring it has so many downsides: harder to access cargo area, harder to fit in garage, blocking rear visibility, adding more weight to vehicle.

I think best solution would be to make the spare tire carrier optional and also allow undermounting on the Traveler. Best of both worlds. Do it Scout