So when I did the brake upgrade I had yo go to 17" wheels, which I did, and I needed to get a 17" spare incase I had to put it on the front tires, which I did. Since I was getting all this new stuff I went ahead and got the cheapest full size spare tire I could as well, with load range E (nitto terra grappler). It has been bouncing around in my bed for a month. I finally got sick of it enough to see if it would fit where the spare goes under the bed, gave it a test run, and sure enough it just fits between the rails. Tire size is 285/70/17.

Any reason this would be a problem? My biggest concern is the extra weight, it is quite a bit heavier than the little 265 tire that use to be there.

Any thing I should look for?

 

I would inspect the entire cable and its attachment point to make sure there isn't any corrosion or broken wires in it.
If you can run it up snug and the keeper is tight in the hole in the center of the wheel you should be good to go.

 

my 17 inch spare fits as well as the oem 235/85r16 does

 

It'll fit okay, but put a cable lock on it connecting the tire to the hitch or something like that so if the cable snaps you won't lose the tire....

 

I used a chain and lock, but secured it to the crossmember towards the front. If the cable breaks the tire will drag, if it secured to the receiver it will be a short pole vault IMO.

 

This REALLY made me laugh and is a good illustration of what could actually happen. I will do what GAmes suggests.

 

Hey, I just want to be alerted when it happens. Plus, I think people will laugh when they see it....

 

you want to be sure the amusing notice you get from it isn't a safety hazard- believe me the people driving next to you or behind you will quickly loose the laugh if it causes an accident because of there you secured the safety cable.

 

Funny thing you mentioned this. Two weeks ago i was driving in a residental area with speed bumps. I hit the speed bump about 25 mph and as my rear tires came down the whole back end of my truck jumped up. I look in my rearview thinking the worst(ran over something or somebody) to see my spare bouncing about 15 feet in the air next to a brand new VW jetta. Luckly it was bouncing flat so it dident shoot off somewhere else. Backed up threw the tire in the bed and when i got home i looked at the cable and it toast. I had just check to make sure the tire was tight a couple weeks before when my tires where rotated. I am just glad it dident happen on a highway because it would have either totaled a car or kill somebody. So warning to everybody inspect your cable .