dbratten

I built this a couple of years ago and have been using it recently. I originally was going to use a trailer but decided I didn't want to store one or to drag it behind the car at slow speed. So, I put this together for about $40 in steel, ABS, and locks.



Tools and jack go in the box in the car. Tires shown are 305s and 335s. The jack handle fits in the carrier pipe. I'd just returned from an event so there are still rocks embedded in the rubber.



There are no clearance problems in the rear and the tires are out of sight behind the car. The duct taped center is just plastic pipe acting as a spacer.



I used 54 inches of 2.25" pipe (as I had it already) but 2.5" would also work. The square tube is 1.25" .190 wall. I use different lengths of 3" ABS pipe as spacers to accommodate race or street wheels being carried. I added a threaded section of ABS to tighten each side once on the carrier.

--Dan

gkmccready

These things ("Tire Tails") always seemed like a lot of weight at a funky angle. They were super popular on Miatas a while back.

No trouble with the cops since it obscures both the rear plate and the brake lights?

meldog21

How much? I think I know someone that might be interested in it.

Well, he might be interested. Maybe not since I recently bought a trailer. He'd probably rather borrow my van and trailer than carry his wheels on his car but you never know.

Dog

John Shiels

Well you have some good tires to absorb the shock when you get rearended with no tailights The way the roads are in NY I would guess that would bend here from the bumps. My tire trailer when I had it did 100 mph I know a guy that did 125 with one.

TravisD

I'm pretty sure that the "real" Miata "Tire Tail" uses a second mounting point along with the hitch - something above the license plate. If you're worried about lights, you could probably make up something using a standard Trailer light kit to hang off of the wheels.

dbratten

The tail lights are visible over the top of the tires. I'd be more worried about someone doing 100+ with his tire trailer on the road.

--Dan

dbratten

The tail lights are still visible. The plate? Well, you can't see the front one either as it was never mounted. I'll just have to see how the police react if they're ever behind me.

--Dan

PA Z06

pretty cool idea

tjfees

I'm thinking of doing this on my C5 Z06. Are you still using this setup? Any problems with it?

Git Er Dun

Nice wheelie bar

Alludc

bump this, anyone else try this?

99_roadster

bump 9 year later, but yes I did the same as this and worked awesome. Sold the car a year ago, still have the rack if anyone is interested.