Ford has filed a new patent for a spare tire rack that could change how drivers handle flat tires. Instead of forcing drivers to crawl under a truck or SUV to reach the spare, this design allows the wheel to lower directly to the ground and move away from the vehicle for easier access.
How the Folding Spare-Tire Rack Works
The patent, filed in March 2024, describes a mechanism that not only lowers the spare tire but also swings it outward on a folding arm. This moves the wheel away from the hard-to-reach spot under the chassis and sets it down nearby on the ground. This would be most useful on trucks and SUVs that carry full-size spares under their bodies.
Current underbody spare mounts require drivers to use a hand crank to slowly lower the tire straight down, often in awkward or unsafe conditions like mud or traffic lanes. Ford’s design could keep drivers on their feet by delivering the spare safely to the side, ready to be swapped without lying on the ground.
Integrated Tools and Positioning Aid
A unique feature in the patent is a built-in lug wrench attached to the spare tire rack itself. This means drivers would not need to search for separate tools when changing a tire.
The folding arm also functions as a support to hold the spare wheel in place against the hub while the lug nuts are tightened. This could make wheel changes easier by stabilizing the heavy tire during installation, a step that usually requires extra effort or balancing.
Patent Does Not Guarantee Production
It’s important to note that Ford’s patent application does not confirm this system will appear on future vehicles. Automakers often patent ideas that might never reach production as a way to protect their technology. With many modern vehicles moving away from full-size spares in favor of tire repair kits or run-flat tires, the practical use of this design could be limited to certain pickups and SUVs.
Still, this patent shows Ford is exploring ways to improve roadside tire changes and simplify the process, especially for larger vehicles where spare tire handling can be a challenge.
Source: motor1.com