I have seen a few H2s around the area that have the spare on a rear mount, external to the vehicle. Is this an aftermarket option? In looking at the dealership, it seems that the spare is always inside, where it takes up quite a bit of space, not to mention blocks a good portion of the view.

The external tire carrier is an aftermarket product. There are a couple but the most common is from SMA. SMA only sells through dealers, but you can find them on ebay often, priced around $650.

This was one of the first options I purchased. The spare in the cargo area just took up to much valuable space and really limited rear view. The installation of the tire carrier is very straight forward, mounting at the point where the two tow hooks are. Very sturdy and good way to get back that space in car.

That is a great option. There should be one from the factory. :)

Excellent, thanks for the info. I will definitely be looking for one when the time comes. I agree, this should be added as a factory option. I would bet that at least 50% of buyers would go for it. It just makes the truck that much more aggressive

well it will be interesting on what they (GM) does when the SUT comes out. No place for the tire on an SUT that I can think of. Guess we will see soon...

Good point, that will be interesting!

Gobi Racks makes roof racks for the H2 that accomodate the spare tire as well as all your other gear. Put it on the roof..... get it out of the way! They even make Ladders for the back to climb on the roof with.
www.GobiRacks.com

Questions:

I've seen photos with the spare tire mounted outside the truck (on a swing-arm mounted to the rear bumper). This configuration appears to block much of the view out the middle of the back window. Has anyone mounted thier spare tire like this - is there a visiblility problem?

Also, I thought AMG left the tire off the roof due to weight concerns (the tire/wheel combo weighs about 100 pounds)? Or was it a height issue?

Thanks.

The visibility with the tire mounted outside in the rear is much better than with it in the rear cargo area. No problems with visibility at all...

As for tire on the roof, one dealer I talked to said it is not recommended for the tire to be on the roof. The roof is rated for 90lbs and the tire comes in a shade more. I suspect the Gobi racks have been well tested for a tire on the roof and perhaps there rack improves on this weight issue. I have seen several roof placed tires and not one owner has suggested any issues. Just not for me...

The swing away carrier wasn't an option for me - need to open the rear hatch to help in launching my boat without getting wet. The carrier would also place the tire right in the middle of your rear vision - much worse that the blind spot created from the tire mounted inside. I plan on removing the spare and keep it in the garage, then carry a tire plug/patch kit (I already have an inflator with the air suspension package), kindof like the C5/Z06's system. The stock tire seems pretty rugged - I think that a sidewall failure would be rare.

JohnS

Hummer didn't recommend the tire on the roof because of weight reasons, but with the custom Gobi Rack, it balances the weight evenly across the roof, mainly putting the weight on the side steel beams above the windows. So, weight's not an issue. I love my Gobi Rack, and it's great not to deal with the tire in the way.
www.GobiRacks.com
Joe

JohnS.

I would be careful on relying on the Air Suspension inflator to inflate a completely flat tire. I am not sure it creates enough PSI to get this done. I found after off-roading with tires around 20psi that getting the pressure up took forever. You may want to test it's ability at your home before hitting the road.

03YellowH2;

Good point, I have not tested the capabilities of the built-in air compressor - hate to find out at the wrong time that the inflator isn't strong enough. I do have a mini-compressor I keep with my C5 that does work but takes a long time to fully inflate a tire; I may just pick up another one of those.

JohnS

O.K. which is it? Visability is better with the spare in the stock position or mounted on the rear?:confused:

Visibility better with tire on the Roof! www.GobiRacks.com

Visibility is significantly better with the spare out of the cargo area.

To me, the tire on the back provides better rear view vision than having the tire inside. I drove around with the tire inside for two weeks and than mounted the tire on the back. I can see much better now.

Action Bronson...What do the Gobi top rack and tire carrier run. Still on the first tank of gas, and a little snafu at the dealer will have them removing the SMA rack they installed. Anything is better that interior mounted spare, but still looking at the options.

Bill M

Bought mine, THEN put the tire on the rear. I find the visibility is better with the tire outside. Can I see a small car, right behind me, say at a light? Nope, but the blind spot that I'm more concerned about is that same small car to my right, and a little in front.

This vehicle is great. It's fun to drive, can do some incredible things, but you must pay a little more attention to it and the vehicles that surround you than you would in a normal "sedan".

I'll take a picture of the inside rear view mirror, with the tire on the back. I'll post in the next couple of days. Then you'll be able to determine for yourself if the visibility is better, or worse ;)

Hello Andy,

I bought it with the spare inside, and then when serviced, dealer put spare outside on rack-the surprise was a $1250 bill for that.

Initially my contract had this being done free, but then they were charging $1250. I could stick them for the rack, but I just can't do that. The salesman erred in not including in contract, but gave me a due bill showing I'm entitled to this at no charge. No brainer for me. I can get it at less than half and put it on myself, but just looking for alternatives. The Gobi top mount is one of them.

Visibility issues are always there. I use my mirrors for the most part, and ultimately will put a rear view camera on the hitch to make sure nothing is behind me.

Since I have a hitch mounted bike rack from previous Lexus LX-450, I will want to take the spare off the back to use that rack anyway. Just want an easy to use lockable tire holder that is easy to lift off if I want that capability.

The Gobi top rack puts it out of the way, but looks like a PIA to get it down without assistance of several strong friends.

Bill M.

Thanks for all of the replies on visibility.

"I'll take a picture of the inside rear view mirror, with the tire on the back. I'll post in the next couple of days. Then you'll be able to determine for yourself if the visibility is better, or worse"

Thanks that would be great!

Bill,

I agree with you, that putting the tire on the roof would certainly get it out of the way. I also agree with the PIA of getting it down from there if needed! ;)

My reason for not looking at a roof rack is simple, I've got 2" of clearance to get in and out of the garage! Now, I must admit that since the wife is talking to me again, that maybe NOW I can approach her on adjusting the garage door height! LOL

If I do, however, I'm sure I'll have much more time to be posting here, as I won't be living at home for a while!

Andy

In speaking with a GOBI rep, she said to just take a tow strap and lower it down using the ladder as a slide. Don't know if this works or not. Still wonder what people are paying for a rack ladder combo???:confused:

My new Gobi rack is at the dealer to be installed next Thursday. It will certainly be nice getting the tire out of the back!

Have been adding goodies here and there, but for me, the classic look with only a little bit of chrome is what I am after. The stainless/chrome doo dads have to polished, and I just don't think I want to spend the bucks there.

I did the patriotic thing and have the raised vinyl American flag version of the Hummer letters on the rear bumper, a large stainless license plate bracket, the locking brushed aluminum gas cover, Ventvisors and really like the look of the rear shade I have seen at the dealer... maybe some lights too on a grill guards....well, you know how it goes...something new comes out and you just have to have it.

My focus will turn towards increasing performace limited to modified air intake, headers and exhaust. My NSX will run high 11 second quarter mile, so I see no need to try to get the Hummer to go balls to the wall...Helping it breathe better will be enough for me.

Bill M
Cameron Park, CA

http://www.ajaydouglas.com/pics/rearview.jpg

Sorry for the delay :)

This is what I see when I look into the rear view mirror with the tire on the outside. It may look like the tire blocks the view, but this, in my humble opinion, is much better than with the tire mounted vertically inside the truck.

And while I might not be able to see the small Mazda Miata behind me, with or without the tire I don't think it will matter ;)

Well, the Gobi Rack I have on the roof is awesome... as I have the spare on the roof and out the the way! The rack is great, and the guys at the car wash love it (they stand on it on the roof and clean my roof by hand). Check out the photos at http://members.cardomain.com/actionbronson

Why was everyone so reluctant to answer the $ question about the price of a Gobi rack. If anyone is interested in the name of a distributor and the price, email me privately, and I will reply with details.

I am having mine installed tomorrow afternoon when I get off work at 2:30 (had to put it off a day). It will be nice to get the tire out of the back, and besides, I think they really are the most viable alternative to eliminate problems with clearance as well as poor storage in the back!

Bill M
nsxbill@yahoo.com