Ford Bronco Could Get Spare Tire Cover System

May 25, 2023 12:19 pm

2023 Ford Bronco Badlands Europe - Exterior 003 - Front Three Quarters

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a spare tire cover system that could be offered for the Ford Bronco, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on November 24^th, 2021, published on May 25^th, 2023, and assigned serial number 0159116.

The Ford Authority Take

With the popularity of off-road-focused vehicles continuing to climb, Ford has filed quite a few patents that aim to innovate in that space recently, including ideas for everything from modular roof racks to a serviceable non-pneumatic tire. Some of the automaker’s other patent filings have pertained specifically to the Ford Bronco as well, though the automaker hasn’t necessarily come out and proclaimed that. Now, this newly filed patent outlining an idea for a new kind of spare tire cover system keeps that trend going.

Ford continues to add new variants to the Bronco lineup as consumers seem to love these profitable models, and while this patent doesn’t specifically mention the rugged SUV, it’s currently the only vehicle in The Blue Oval’s lineup that’s equipped with a spare tire mounted out back. Thus, it’s easy to assume that we’re looking at a spare tire cover that could wind up being offered on the Bronco at some point in the future.

While hard shell spare tire covers are nothing new, this one is pretty unique in that part of the outside rim is hinged, so the owner can simply swing it out of the way to remove the tire. The piece that rotates downward also serves as a ramp of sorts, making it a bit easier to lower the spare tire to the ground rather than having to manhandle it.

Given the fact that not everyone who owns something like a Bronco is physically capable of removing the massive spare tire from that vehicle – particularly models equipped with larger 35- or 37-inch tires – this patent seems to have a pretty good shot at making it to reality, though we’ll just have to wait and see if that ultimately happens.

We’ll have more on this and all Ford patents soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford patent news, Ford business news, and ongoing Ford news coverage.

By Brett Foote

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.