I am in the process of ordering my wheels and tires for my sr5. I don't want to do a five tire rotation since I will be sticking with 265 70 17.

Do I just keep the spare that's underneath or should I take one of the other wheels and tires?

I don't want to keep the original wheels and tires, 13k on a 2018 with no tire repairs.

Thanks

It has been my practice with all my 4x4 vehicles to keep the OEM spare. I have run BFG All Terrains on all of them since the 1990s and I stick with stock tire sizes.

That being said, if one is going significantly larger over stock tire size, than it can be beneficial to put the larger size tire on the spare wheel to avoid drivetrain damage or having to rotate the smaller tire to the non-powered axle and the larger tire to the driven one.

If I am in a situation where one of my KO2 C load (stock size) experiences a failure, I don't want to bet on an OEM Dunlop P getting me home through the same terrain. I bought a 5th KO2 and mounted it on the spare steelie. I guess it depends on what you will be doing with the vehicle.

If sticking with the same size and only do light off-roading, especially with others, keep the OEM. If you like to get way out in the back country by yourself, such as overlanding, primitive remote camping or the like, you may want to consider slapping the same tire on the OEM steel wheel. Like stated above, the OEM spare may not de up to handling rough terrain.

I’ve been fortunate enough that I’ve never had to resort to the spare tire with BFGs. And I never was easy on the tires. My 2002 Tacoma TRD, which is still in the family after I replaced it with my ‘18 SR5, still has its OEM spare and I’ve only had to remove it to replace the shocks. Still holding street pressure air, though I’m sure the rubber is getting pretty dried out by now.

But yes, those OEM 5th gen tires I had on my rig were pretty feeble. I sliced one sidewall on my first off road ride. The BFG Rugged Trail T/A tires that came with the Tacoma I ran until they had 38k on them and they were pretty well sliced and diced but never failed me. And the OEM tires on my 1996 Chevrolet S-10 4x4 pickup, Goodyear Wrangler RTS stood for “Really Thin Spare.” Ten flats and one ripped sidewall in the first three months.

What I would do:
Option 1: Order 4 wheels and 5 tires. Slap one of the new tires on the OEM spare wheel underneath.
Option 2: Order 4 wheels and 4 tires. Shop around for a used all terrain tire in the same size and slap it on the OEM spare wheel underneath. You can possibly find a used tire on here or craigslist or FB marketplace.

All great suggestions. Does it matter if the spare is 10 pounds heavier than the tire opposite, if I had I had to use it?

If I get the same tire it will be 10 pounds, thereabouts, heavier than the rest.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

If the tire is the same, then the weight difference in the wheel/tire setup comes down to the wheel. A difference of 10 lbs between an aftermarket allow wheel and the OEM steel spare wheel seems like a lot. I would guess it would be more like 5 to maybe 7 lbs difference. That being said, I have had to put the spare on and ran it for 250 miles before I was able to get the normal tire patched and put back on. I noticed absolutely no difference. I went through some pretty tough off-road terrain, windy mountain roads, and freeways at 70+ mph. Absolutely fine.

It is the wheel. It's lighter. If I get a 265 C load ko2 it will be equal in weight but not as durable. Trade offs, I guess but still better than an oem tire.

I think that's the direction I will go.

Sounds good! Ya like I said, I've ran the same tire on the spare wheel across from the same tire on a lighter aftermarket wheel for 250 miles through different terrain and driving conditions and never noticed a difference and felt 100% fine the entire time. You would be fine with whatever tire you got.