Relocating the weight from the jeep or removing the weight all together. It also helps with departure angles look at some videos you can see where the spate caught going down a ledge and damaged the tailgate of the jeep. I do not run a spare and probably won't.

 

It is essential to have a spare. However it's a catch 22 for built rigs and especially 2-doors. Between my rear bumper + swing carrier + spare + hi-lift I have 350 lbs of leverage behind my rear axle. This causes the front wheels to lift on steep inclines or ledges and can cause real butt puckers.

If I ever did Moab or Rubicon type trails the best place for spare is on floor behind front seats.

 

I run no spare for the weight savings while running 3.21 gears...

 

I lost a tire on a trail once. Spare tires are essential.

When I lost the tire was in a stream bed and the tire was coated with mud. I agree that the inside is a practical place for the tire, but I was glad I did not have to have the stinky mess inside my rig.

 

I like the look of no spare around town. On trails rock crawling I have my spare 37" MTR riding strapped down centered over my frame directly behind my front seats of my 4door. This keeps my weight better centered and I don't catch that spare dropping of ledges to brake something out back. Much better clearance in back without it there.

 

I couldn't stand to spend the extra $530 for tire and wheel #5. Plus I love the way it looks without. Twenty years of off roading, I've never had a tire go flat. It's always something else that causes problems. Plus, like someone already mentioned, lot of videos of those spares getting hung and causing damage. Who knows, at this point, maybe I'm pushing my luck...

 

X2........

 

Yeah, every time i am not just running around town, I have my spare put in the bed of my 2 door. Luckly i dont need rear seats, so i have that room available. But i understand now what you are saying. Makes perfect sense.

 

it also depends on where you're running. if you're on lots a rocks and there high potential for tearing the sidewall, then YES carry a spare. at the very least has some sort of aggreement with your trailmates on whos carrying spares and whos carrying tools.

if you don't carry a spare at least carry a plug kit and compressor.

personally, I like the look of no spare and will probbaly go to it for around town use. when wheeling, I'll tie it down in the back

 

You could always just put it on the hood like the Britts do.....