Thanks for the advice. I checked it out and it turns out that the subwoofer control unit is hidden there, too, so I'm sort of afraid of putting some loose object there and hitting it.

 

Ditto, I even keep my baseball gloves in there.

 

I have a full change of cloths (including a fresh pair of shoes) and a tool kit...

 

I've been trying to find a tool box thin enough to lie on top of the spare and still allow the cargo floor to close. Right now all I have stored under there are my cross members for my roof rack. (and the tire)

Change of clothes. Capital idea WhatAriot! I've had a zipper fail or a button fall of of pants or spill something on a shirt, far from home more than once.

 

I've been trying to find a tool box thin enough to lie on top of the spare and still allow the cargo floor to close. ...

If you take out the moulded fibreboard spacer between the ture and the front of the vehicle, there's PLENTY of room there. LOADS!
from others' comments, I suspect that's where the Subwoofer control unit could be located... I have the base radio, so no subwoofer.

 

"....-Flat tire inflator spray can..."

I would remove this if this is that seal a tire in a can stuff. This stuff really isn't good for the Tire pressure monitor system nor regular tires. They leave that crap in the tire once used. I would only use this stuff if I was desperate and had no spare tire. Once this stuff is used I would consider the tire garbage.

 

Jepstr67, Home Depot has a few canvas tool bags, that hold a hammer, adjustible wrenches, utility knife, alan keys, and a mini flashlight, they are pretty cheap and fit anywhere!

 

Great point. I store my roadside assistance kit, blanket, flares ect. around there.

 

I really wondered what that cardboard filler was for in between the tire and rear seat. I guess it wouldn't hurt to just cut it out and use that space for storage too?

I had a little flat emergency tool kit in the compartment in my Durango. It didn't quite fit under the floor of the Patriot due to the stud which holds the spare down. I drilled a hole in the center of the tool box so it would fit down over the stud, now I have room for it, and it won't shift around under the false floor.

CHAZ

 

Hmm. I'd be very careful there. Considering the gauge of the sheet metal in the Patriot, that cardboard may be a structural member.

 

Be careful of the "fix a flat" in the trunk. The spare tire compartment acts like a oven in the hot weather and the can will actually explode if it gets too hot.

 

I keep my cables, small tool kit, and also my towing hitch in that space.:smiley_thumbs_up:

 

I hear you about the "fix a flat" crap. It's out now. I replaced it with:
-snow brush
-some heavy duty rope
-bungy cables (make use of those plentiful metal loops in the back area)

Man there is still room to spare. This makes of for the lack of storage in the drive area

 

I've put my purse in there a few times when I didn't want to carry it with me or take it into work.

 

I keep 20ft 4 inch wide tow strap, assorted clevis hooks, gloves, and towels for cleanup. I need to make a small tool kit though. Good idea.

 

That was a good idea... Making the most out of unnoticeable space for storage purposes... Haven't tried that yet but this time I will...

 

It would be nice to have some sort of foam compartments around the spare for bits and pieces as some other vehicles use.Saying that once my 2 ton bottle jack,tow rope,jump leads,first aid kit,selection of CD's,hand wipes and Torch are in there not much room left.

Best thing I bought were the cargo nets for the boot floor area and across the rear just for that bit more space.

 

Right on about the nets they are great the one that goes across the back is great for groceries and other things that tend to roll around.

 

I put
-tools
-tow cable
-dead hooker
-jumper cables
-one of those fancy jumpstart batteries
-flashlight
-neon glowsticks

in mine...

 

What? No one else noted #3 on your list??

And you failed to mention if plastic wrap was used or not..

 

I bought a little tool bag in which I keep my towing accessories, a tow strap, some tie-down straps, and bungee cords. Fits right in the spare next to the jack! Also I keep a fleece blanket and a first aid kit in there, and an extension cord. I love having that space!

 

I have a (licensed) concealed weapon that I sometime leave in the car and that is the best place to hide it.

 

a paintball gun and a fresh pair of shorts

 

I use that space to smuggle duty free back home to Canada when I go ""ácross the line"" into Maine - not been caught so far!

 

You're not brining in tomatoes, are you? Yikes!

As for my storage area, I keep:
Tools,
Fuses,
Disposable Ponchos,
Hand Warmers,
Jumper cables,
Tow rope,
Cd's,
Snow rescue wavers,
Folding shovel,
Machete.

If fuel prices ever drop, I'm going to put the spare in a basket roof rack up top and keep my hiking/survival backpack in there too.

 

Thats a pretty cool storage space. To go a little off topic, for my job I have to sometimes put several 5 gallon jugs of water in the trunk. When I go around turns, theres some leakage and the water goes under the load floor and into that spare tire compartment. Is there anything back there that I have to worry about getting wet? I threw down several towels the last but I don't always have them.

 

I keep a two litre bottle of oil for topping up the engine if I need to. Jump cables, foot pump and assorted tools.

 

Just managed to ALSO fit a small fishing pole in there... in case of- you know, emergencies.

 

Capt. Observant says:

I have had this Pat for over 6000 miles and only looked under that space once, while at the dealership. I thought "how nice..a full sized spare."

And that was it. Never looked again until I read this post.

DAMN, that's a lot of room!!

I'll make up a small kit of things to put in there this week from some of ya'lls suggestions. However, I will be leaving out the dead hooker. The wife would have too many questions I wouldn't care to answer..

 

I have had this Pat for over 6000 miles and only looked under that space once, while at the dealership. I thought "how nice..a full sized spare."

And that was it. Never looked again until I read this post.

DAMN, that's a lot of room!!

I'll make up a small kit of things to put in there this week from some of ya'lls suggestions. However, I will be leaving out the dead hooker. The wife would have too many questions I wouldn't care to answer..

I AGREE, never thought of it, now i know what i'm doing this weekend,... i mean, other than consuming several adult beverages

 

I'm thinking that the fibreboard helps to support the plastic cargo shelf. I wouldn't want to put too much weight on it, particularly in the center, unless there was support underneath it.

Even without removing the fibreboard there is a lot of room around and on top of the tire to store a lot of accessories.

I keep my softball gear under there - never have to worry about getting to the field and having forgotten it at home.