Yeah, you have to be "friendly". Suitcases on end in back and miscellaneous piled on top of them. No looking out the rear window!

Explored the spare tire options. In another life I was a road warrior and put probably over a million miles on cars throughout the West and Texas, and many miles since that time. I don't ever remember changing a tire on the road, and that was when tires weren't what they are today. Did many miles in the W212 BlueTec, also with no spare and never a problem. Did throw a bunch of treads on Firestone tires back in the 70's when they had all their problems, but that was all in Los Angeles. I think the spare tire issue is a personal one. I'm going without anything and I'll be skiing many hills in the West and Rockies, as usual. May regret it some day but . . . .