A spare tire installation structure for a vehicle has a first rigid member disposed within a trunk compartment of the vehicle, and a second rigid member configured vehicle rearward of the first rigid member and disposed within the trunk compartment of the vehicle. The first rigid member and the second rigid member define a space to house a spare tire. The second rigid member is configured to displace the spare tire vehicle forward and into the first rigid member in response to a rear collision to the vehicle. The first rigid member is configured to split a wheel of the spare tire.