smaller-ish spare tire??? (17 Viewers)

[blackphinga]

A little background. I have traditionally run BFG ATs on my rig. I always by a 5 tire matching set. It's now time for new shoes on the 60 which got me to thinking. Through good fortune I suppose, throughout the years I have never had to engage the spare except for once, just recently. I came out and there she was, flat rear. So I flipped out to the spare and headed to Discount Tire where I got the standard 'expired tire, illegal to work on tire' fire drill. Being that the flat tire was due to dry rot on a almost 8 yo tire, who am I to argue. In DT's defense, there was evidence on 1-2 of the other 4 tires of said sidewall rot.

Additionally, the reality is 5 tires just presented a bunch of added work having to drop the spare every time I wanted to do a rotation (5 tires). Ultimately it just never proved valuable. Furthermore, I struggle to envision a scenario where I'd lose a tire, change the spare, and head deeper into the unknown without a back up plan. I'd with absolute certainty drive straight to the nearest DT and replace the bad tire.

So here is the question...

What is your opinion on running a smaller tire in the spare compartment. Think the lifesaver in a Honda Civic. It's just there to get you cautiously to the point of repair. Obviously I am not suggesting a 'donut', but you get the idea. Not 235 85 16, something smaller/more cost effective.

To me the benefits are...

-cost saving; although I certainly don't want to be penny-wise pound foolish
-utility; as stated I have never really needed to run a spare; Murphy Law Dog gunna punch me in the nose for saying this over and over
-4 wheel rotation vs 5

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for the knowledge coming my way.

 

[kirvesmies]

If spare is one of 5 of like size, work it through with tire rotation, that should fend off dry rot of an unused tire. That's what we suggested to clients when i worked in a tire shop eons ago.
When you say smaller spare, i'm assuming alot smaller than your 4. That would be a hard no for me. I would only run one size smaller. I've got 32x11.50s on my 60 at present n my spare is a 31x10.50. Why, cuz i'm a cheap b@$turd with 2 sets of the 31s. If you've got any sort of traction device in the pots, tire rolling radius should be damn near nuts on the same, your locker will thank you.

 

[OSS]

I never rotated my tires ever. 35 years, 290,000 miles. Id get a flat or non repairable gash before they got anywhere near bald.
Id buy 2 new tires at a time. Alway replace as a pair. The new ones go in the rear and the best 2 up front.
I'd never opt for an undersize spare - nor would I ever consider using it as part of a rotation scheme.

 

[Kleatus]

Since there is room a 33x10.50 spare under there, I've always subscribed to the 5 tire rotation to get the most out of a set of tires - until one is not useable anymore in regular driving. That also makes sure the spare gets attention, and it's not flat and cracked 6 years in after no thought when you need it....as an aside, on 2 different trucks I presently have a tire with a sidewall cut that's been patched - which I will no longer rotate in as normal, but will retain as a spare...opinions may vary on this practice, but I've patched (internal glue on + cement in cut) tires that I've used for years off road and for "farm use" with no issues. I carry plugs and a compressor too, and the most likely source of a flat from road use is a nail or the like - so if I had one of those, I'd simply plug it and carry on. I wouldn't use a sidewall patched spare for high speed road use for any prolonged period, but to get out of the backcountry I'm confident it will be fine if needed. I would feel a little wary of a tiny street tire as a spare off road vs a full size matching spare - with limited clearance and open diffs, that could present a problem...

 

[blackphinga]

Since there is room a 33x10.50 spare under there, I've always subscribed to the 5 tire rotation to get the most out of a set of tires - until one is not useable anymore in regular driving. That also makes sure the spare gets attention, and it's not flat and cracked 6 years in after no thought when you need it....as an aside, on 2 different trucks I presently have a tire with a sidewall cut that's been patched - which I will no longer rotate in as normal, but will retain as a spare...opinions may vary on this practice, but I've patched (internal glue on + cement in cut) tires that I've used for years off road and for "farm use" with no issues. I carry plugs and a compressor too, and the most likely source of a flat from road use is a nail or the like - so if I had one of those, I'd simply plug it and carry on. I wouldn't use a sidewall patched spare for high speed road use for any prolonged period, but to get out of the backcountry I'm confident it will be fine if needed. I would feel a little wary of a tiny street tire as a spare off road vs a full size matching spare - with limited clearance and open diffs, that could present a problem...

This notion of 'spare gets attention' is quite valid in my opinion. It kinda puts it square in my face that I would at most be avoiding 'work' of having to drop the spare every time I rotate because if I have half a brain I'd be dropping the spare near every time I go on a road trip or in the backcountry to avoid getting caught with a dud spare. As stated, the spare needs attention regardless.

I probably need to push back on my propensity to be CHEAP and LAZY.

 

[blackphinga]

I never rotated my tires ever. 35 years, 290,000 miles. Id get a flat or non repairable gash before they got anywhere near bald.
Id buy 2 new tires at a time. Alway replace as a pair. The new ones go in the rear and the best 2 up front.
I'd never opt for an undersize spare - nor would I ever consider using it as part of a rotation scheme.

35 yrs and 290,000 miles ... I am green with envy. I am at 8ish and 30-40k. I hope 35 and 290k is where I get with this rig.

Thanks for the input!

 

[blackphinga]

If spare is one of 5 of like size, work it through with tire rotation, that should fend off dry rot of an unused tire. That's what we suggested to clients when i worked in a tire shop eons ago.
When you say smaller spare, i'm assuming alot smaller than your 4. That would be a hard no for me. I would only run one size smaller. I've got 32x11.50s on my 60 at present n my spare is a 31x10.50. Why, cuz i'm a cheap b@$turd with 2 sets of the 31s. If you've got any sort of traction device in the pots, tire rolling radius should be damn near nuts on the same, your locker will thank you.

 

[blackphinga]

'That would be a hard no for me'... noted.

I am leaning towards just biting the bullet and do what I've always done. 5 tire set, 5 tire rotate. As I said in a previous reply, it forces me to engage in best practice of putting hands and eyes on the spare routinely so as to not get caught assed-out.

Thanks for the feedback.