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Carry race tires over trunk?

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Old 04-16-2011, 08:22 AM
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Default Carry race tires over trunk?

All I'm finding are systems which attach to a tow hitch, or which otherwise require your car to have the rear tie-down points still attached..

I may or may not have sawzalled mine off when I was in Monterey.

Surely if luggage can be carried on the trunk, so can a set of wheels and tires.
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Old 04-16-2011, 08:46 AM
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I would do two in car, two in trunk with trunk open and everything tied.
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Old 04-16-2011, 09:30 AM
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Three in open trunk tied down and one in the passenger seat(or lashed to the roll bar if you need the seat)
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Old 04-16-2011, 09:42 AM
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Cueball fits all four 205 width tires in the trunk strapped in. Made the 3 hour drive to ORP from Portland just fine.
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Old 04-16-2011, 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by curly
Cueball fits all four 205 width tires in the trunk strapped in. Made the 3 hour drive to ORP from Portland just fine.
Well yeah, if you run skinny tires

J/K Spec Miata makes for 4 in the trunk
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Old 04-16-2011, 10:30 AM
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Luggage generally weighs ~20-30lb at most. Each of your wheels is at least that much. Now take that and times it by 4 and you have at least 120lb (probably closer to 150-160lb) on the trunk. I don't think the trunk would be too happy with that.
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Old 04-16-2011, 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Doppelgänger
Luggage generally weighs ~20-30lb at most. Each of your wheels is at least that much. Now take that and times it by 4 and you have at least 120lb (probably closer to 150-160lb) on the trunk. I don't think the trunk would be too happy with that.
Know a lot of people that do it with no problems
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Old 04-16-2011, 12:41 PM
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no pass. seat, 3 in the car, 1 in the trunk. trunk closed with 205, open with 225's
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Old 04-16-2011, 12:46 PM
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Don't know about you guys, but I've had some 40 pound suitcases. Pile a few of those on the trunk, and that comes close the weight of some wheels/tires.

I bet it would be fine... just have to find a replacement if it caves in.
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Old 04-16-2011, 12:53 PM
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Actually I run 4 225 width tires across the trunk. They wedge in nicely. Run a strap through the wheels and hook them to the trunk uprights. Run another strap through the wheels and cinch it down around the part of the tires hanging out the back so they can't move. I've done more than a dozen track days that way, some more than 3 hours away. Never had a problem.

Last edited by cueball1; 04-16-2011 at 01:07 PM.
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Old 04-16-2011, 10:03 PM
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Thanks for the responses.

I should have mentioned: 225s, will need passenger seat along the way and at the events for passenger.

Dopple: I was thinking something which rested its weight on the QPs just to the outside of the trunk, (where a lot of people mount their wings) would be better. But..

Cueball: I like your idea, curious to see a pic.
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Old 04-17-2011, 08:39 PM
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When I go racing I have a loaded (50Lb) tool box, duffel bag full of spare parts and ****, 1 gal of coolant, 1 gal. of water, factory scissor jack, and 1 jack stand all in the trunk. Trunk lid stays open and I ratchet-strap down four rims w/ 205's.. stays nice and tight and I dont need a trailer! also in the pass. seat is my helmet, lunch box, and backpack with extra clothes pen paper.. basically whatever I need. I REALLY don't like breaking down!
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Old 04-17-2011, 09:26 PM
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I have a classic carrier rack (for an NA, I don't use it any more) mounted to a trunk lid that I believe is rated for 300lbs. That should carry 4 wheels without much trouble at all. I can't remember the width off hand but I could measure. PM me if you're at all interested in the idea, I'd sell mine really cheap.
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Old 04-17-2011, 10:26 PM
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My car had the stock luggage rack trunk lid when I got it and it was labeled 22lbs. max capacity. That's 1 tire with no rim in it, hahaha. You will need to do it the way the other guys suggested or weld a custom addition to the hitch to make it reach up there where you need to bolt it. Good luck.
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Old 04-17-2011, 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Doppelgänger
Luggage generally weighs ~20-30lb at most. Each of your wheels is at least that much. Now take that and times it by 4 and you have at least 120lb (probably closer to 150-160lb) on the trunk. I don't think the trunk would be too happy with that.
Are you thinking we're suggesting a closed trunk with tires on top? Casey shoves four tires end to end in the trunk with it open, then straps it down.
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Old 04-18-2011, 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by cueball1
Actually I run 4 225 width tires across the trunk. They wedge in nicely. Run a strap through the wheels and hook them to the trunk uprights. Run another strap through the wheels and cinch it down around the part of the tires hanging out the back so they can't move. I've done more than a dozen track days that way, some more than 3 hours away. Never had a problem.
In for pics of this setup.
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Old 04-20-2011, 03:15 PM
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Not my car, but it works... weather permitting. Thats 4 225's across the bar. It works out well if you don't need the top. A friend of mine did this on the 250+ mile trip to T-Hill with no issues. I will say that I like cueball's method, sounds superior if it fits.
Attached Thumbnails Carry race tires over trunk?-img-20110329-00083.jpg  
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Old 04-20-2011, 05:08 PM
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205 T1Rs on Heliums. I can see 225s fitting like this.
IMG00104.jpg?t=1303333654

Too bad I couldn't see the cop that was trying to pull me over for awhile.
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Old 04-20-2011, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Bryce
205 T1Rs on Heliums. I can see 225s fitting like this.

.
That's the way I've done it for several years. I strap them differently and add another strap through the wheels around the part hanging out the ***. That keeps the outside wheels from wanting to flop over in a corner. Keeps them rock steady.
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Old 04-20-2011, 07:19 PM
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Luckily that was a one-time thing. I could see the straps coming off the side of the rod if were to be any swift maneuvering involved.
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