LeeLau

Ah - you're right. I was sloppy calling it offroad when really its gravel roads - bad roads. I still think its a strange way to save weight and money but I'm not an OE buyers for car companies so what do i know. I'm going to actually go there and physically make sure the spare fits in the tray space. You might be one of those odd minority of people who actually use a Sube on gravel roads and this might be a topic for another thread: Does VDC or Subaru's traction control make a substantial difference for people driving on gravel roads? Context - I used to drive logging roads a lot in rear wheel drive trucks and am quite used to long oversteering slides. Then drove mid 80 Subarus then a 1999 Legacy wagon and lately I've had a Volvo V70XC for the last while with their DSTC (traction control) but am drawn in subaru again for many reasons to lengthy to list.

I searched but answers were inconclusive and many threads referred to older versions of Outbacks. I know the Forester has a full size Spare. First rant - what kind of off-road vehicle doesn't have a full-size spare. I'm referring to 2006 Outbacks. I asked the dealer if a full size spare would fit in the 2006 outback. They didn't think it would. I'm going to test-drive one and will look to see if one will fit if I take out the tray etc. Are there any ingenious ways of fitting a fullsize spare in the 2006 Outbacks? I drive a fair amount of gravel roads and a donut spare is NOT an option. If the answer is that a fullsize spare won't fit then it would appear then the Outback is unfortunately not the vehicle for me.