AEV Spare Tire Protection

[pinebaron]

My spare, factory valve stem came accessable down

The AT4X is supposed be stem up; forgot what you have.

 

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[Koolbreezeya]

The AT4X is supposed be stem up; forgot what you have.

That's what I have, don't know why unless the dealership did it.

 

[pinebaron]

 

[Koolbreezeya]

View attachment 22261

Thanks pinebaron, I'm glad you pointed this out, otherwise I wouldn't have known the difference, after checking around, ie owners manual, GM Trucks site. I don't really do gravel roads or off road and rock climbing. I think it'll be OK. I'll keep the spare as the spare and only rotate the road tires and orient as such.

 

[john151ama]

Interesting the user manual states the AT4X is built with the spare tire stem down. However when you remove and replace it flip over with stem up. So for some reason they do come from the factory that way but they do want us to flip them over. Odd

 

[pinebaron]

Thanks pinebaron, I'm glad you pointed this out, otherwise I wouldn't have known the difference, gonna have to correct, I wonder who if the factory or the dealership incorrectly installed the spare.

The dealer or factory are oblivious to this requirement. Essentially, one could install an AT4X spare any direction, however, the lifted AT4X was specifically built for offroad adventures, even rock climbing etc. I believe the recommendation is only to protect the full size spare wheel face from rocks and other damage during offroading. Although I don't use a spare tire cover, mounting the spare face up helped maintain the spare in perfect condition, only dusty when removed. I have rotated the spare once so far, with just under 7000 miles on the clock, despite having driven through real dusty gravel moutain roads in BC Canada this summer, all five wheels are free of any damage, I keep them polished of course.

 

[pinebaron]

Interesting the user manual states the AT4X is built with the spare tire stem down. However when you remove and replace it flip over with stem up. So for some reason they do come from the factory that way but they do want us to flip them over. Odd

I stand corrected

 

[gemarsh]

Does the X have a safety cable wrapped around a spoke of the spare and anchored to the left frame rail?

 

[pinebaron]

Does the X have a safety cable wrapped around a spoke of the spare and anchored to the left frame rail?

Nope

 

[Koolbreezeya]

Didn't see one.

 

[pinebaron]

Does the X have a safety cable wrapped around a spoke of the spare and anchored to the left frame rail?

Do I need to build a 'hey the spare fell off' sensor/alarm?

 

[gemarsh]

Note to self.

After a few years, "don't follow an X on the road"

gm's cable has a known issue of rusting in two. Wheel falls off going down road. gm doesn't improve cable system. gm's engineering says "cheaper to add frame bracket and cable."

 

[gemarsh]

For those of us new to the gm world, lower and raise your spare winch once a year. Or do a 5 tire rotation. Them damn winches rust up, and the spare becomes a permanent fixture.

I remember vividly the first time I had to remove a spare on the side of the road for a man with a frozen winch.

 

[pinebaron]

For those of us new to the gm world, lower and raise your spare winch once a year. Or do a 5 tire rotation. Them damn winches rust up, and the spare becomes a permanent fixture.

I remember vividly the first time I had to remove a spare on the side of the road for a man with a frozen winch.

Good point; I'm always wary of these winches. I regularly lower mine for one reason or another; more recently for adding wiring for lights, sensors and tire rotation.

I replaced the tire winch on my Ford Expedition XLT I think after 15 years; purchased in 1998 and traded it in last year for the truck.

 

[gemarsh]

I saw spare tire covers for under vehicle on Ebay $135. Check there, looks fit compatible.

Thanks for the heads-up.

I ordered one. The seller contacted me and asked for vehicle details and rim size.

I'll post my observations.