Ford Patent Details Clever Folding Rack To Lower Spare Tires To The Ground

Ford has filed a patent for a new spare-tire mounting system designed to eliminate the need to crawl underneath a truck during a roadside flat tire change. According to public documentation, the US filing carries serial number 12773055 and dates back to March 18, 2024.

Traditional full-size spare tires on pickup trucks and SUVs are typically stored beneath the frame or bed, requiring drivers to use a vertical winch cable, hand crank, and often get down on the ground in difficult weather or traffic conditions.

How the Movable Spare-Tire Mount Works

• Pivoting and Extending Arm: The patent describes a folding rack that swings and extends the spare wheel away from the vehicle's underside.
• Ground-Level Positioning: Instead of dropping straight down via a winch, the mechanism moves the tire outward and down near the ground.
• Integrated Lug Wrench: The design incorporates a lug wrench directly into the rack assembly, reducing the need to search through separate trunk jack kits.
• Hub Alignment Support: The folding arm is designed to hold the heavy wheel in place against the vehicle hub while the driver threads the lug nuts.

Practical Implications and Verification

While the concept addresses a common roadside frustration, it remains strictly a patent filing. Ford has previously stated that patent applications are standard procedures for protecting intellectual property and building an IP portfolio, and they do not guarantee that a concept will appear in future production vehicles. Furthermore, because many modern vehicles replace full-size spares with inflation kits or run-flat tires, the application of such a mechanical system may be limited.

To verify original patent announcements, readers can search public intellectual property databases using the provided serial number 12773055.