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jspagna1

jspagna1

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T4R.ORG need some advise. Going to drive from CT to Florida in June. I have my aftermarket wheels and tires on my truck. I did not get a matching spare.

Should I put my stock wheels back on for the trip just in case I get a flat or worse and have the spare ready to put on or should I throw a can of fix-a-flat in the truck and have the spare ready which in that case I would need to find a tire store/garage to fix my flat or puchase a new tire??????

I very seldom take my truck on long trips so I am not going to buy a matching spare.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
 
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Are your aftermarket wheels and tires the same size as stock (i.e. the same size as your spare, although not matching in style/tire)?

If they are the same size and type of tire, you will likely be fine with your mismatched spare. If they are not the same, you can either mount your old rims/tires like you mentioned, or simply call a tow truck IF you get a flat. most auto insurance (at least mine) offer free roadside assistance.

You can also pick up a tire repair kit at your local auto-store if you are comfortable with fixing your own flat. either with a fix kit, or can of slime, make sure you have a compressor with your to inflate the tire back to pressure.

Okki
 
Yes the aftermarket wheels are 18 x 8.5, not the same as stock, that's why I possed the question. I am a AAA Gold member, but just want to save as much time as possible driving down to FL. I do have a air compressor in the truck as well.
 
jspagna1 said:
Yes the aftermarket wheels are 18 x 8.5, not the same as stock, that's why I possed the question. I am a AAA Gold member, but just want to save as much time as possible driving down to FL. I do have a air compressor in the truck as well.
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What size tire are you running? Brand and type of wheel?
 
jspagna1 said:
Yes the aftermarket wheels are 18 x 8.5, not the same as stock, that's why I possed the question. I am a AAA Gold member, but just want to save as much time as possible driving down to FL. I do have a air compressor in the truck as well.
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If speed is your concern, I would mount the OEM rims and tires because it allows you to change your own tire and drop off the busted tire while your enjoy your vacation destination as it's being fixed. Also gives you more range to drive because slime is a temporary fix. Plugging your own tire is a good repair if you know what you are doing and take your time. Since time is your concern, I would recommend against this option since you have a set of 5 matching rims/tires available.

Enjoy the road trip!

Okki
 
jspagna1 said:
Yes the aftermarket wheels are 18 x 8.5, not the same as stock, that's why I possed the question. I am a AAA Gold member, but just want to save as much time as possible driving down to FL. I do have a air compressor in the truck as well.
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1engineer said:
What size tire are you running? Brand and type of wheel?
Click to expand...

Never mind, I checked your old posts to get the size except you messed up the aspect ratio in your post lol but I did get the series which is 275/XX/18. Anyway, no matter i you have 65 or 60 you will be going either 2 inches farther per revolution or 1 1/2 inches less per revolution. This percentage is too far outside of the nominal "new tire vs worn out tire" percentage. If it were me I would be safe and put the old set on if they were available and ready to go. That's me though. Unfortunately Murphy's Law and me go way back but maybe you have no issues with him! Anyway good luck and have fun!
 
jspagna1 said:
The tire is a 275/65/18. not compatible with the stock ones. So I wouldn't drive too far with the spare. That's my concern.
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Every revolution you would slide your stock spare 1 1/2 inches or so. I would not recommend it because other sensors are working with wheel rpm such as ABS, VSA etc and definitely will be confused.
 
Thanks guys for the good suggestions & comments. Ya I think I'll play it safe and put the stock ones back on for the trip. They only have 10,000 miles on them so they are in good and I'll have more peace of mind. :)
 
I think you have very little to be concerned with. Are you going to be rock-crawling on your trip? If no, then stick with your aftermarket wheels. The spare, regardless of size would at least limp you somewhere safe if need be (i.e. donuts on other cars, etc). Just check your tire inflation before you leave and look for any tire damage, but the chances of a flat are virtually zero.

Plus, you pay for AAA and it's a fantastic service. Get your money's worth if you have a flat or dead battery.

Have a fun and safe trip.
 
JustinFro said:
The spare, regardless of size would at least limp you somewhere safe if need be (i.e. donuts on other cars, etc).
Click to expand...

NOT TRUE. There are several threads that go into details as to why this is not true for our trucks. I highly recommend you do some searching on the site before you risk your vehicle and possibly life on that statement.

Okki
 
JustinFro said:
I think you have very little to be concerned with. Are you going to be rock-crawling on your trip? If no, then stick with your aftermarket wheels. The spare, regardless of size would at least limp you somewhere safe if need be (i.e. donuts on other cars, etc). Just check your tire inflation before you leave and look for any tire damage, but the chances of a flat are virtually zero.

Plus, you pay for AAA and it's a fantastic service. Get your money's worth if you have a flat or dead battery.

Have a fun and safe trip.
Click to expand...

It's also OK to:
Run with scissors
Text while driving
Eat a dozen doughnuts every day
Wear full camo and antlers during deer season
Perform your own surgery

As long as you can live with the consequences.

Please, don't offer advice that is just plain wrong.
 
Note the KEY word: LIMP (i.e. very slow driving to safe location if in harms way)

Otherwise, AAA is available to him.
 
I personally think you all are waaaaaay to paranoid about spare size. His tires now(275/65/18) come out to a 32.07" diameter when new and his spare is a 31.6(265/70/17). If that's the case then everybody had better change their stock tires when they are half worn since that will be the difference if you have a new tire on your spare and the transmission will blow up and all the wheels will fly off.

Show me just one instance of this ever causing problems and there has to be at least one since this basic 120/150 platform has basically been around for over 10 years with millions sold.
IMO , keep the spare within 2 tire sizes,use common sense and,drive sensibly a little below the speed limit,drive immediately to where you can the tire fixed or replaced and you'll be fine to use the spare as a SPARE.

There is also such a thing as rolling diameter and what alot of cars use for their TPMS as the revolutions change as the tire goes down . A 34" tire aired down some can have the same rolling diameter or revolutions as fully inflated 32" tire.These are trucks and are built tough and not china dolls.
 
harper7 said:
I personally think you all are waaaaaay to paranoid about spare size. His tires now(275/65/18) come out to a 32.07" diameter when new and his spare is a 31.6(265/70/17). If that's the case then everybody had better change their stock tires when they are half worn since that will be the difference if you have a new tire on your spare and the transmission will blow up and all the wheels will fly off.

Show me just one instance of this ever causing problems and there has to be at least one since this basic 120/150 platform has basically been around for over 10 years with millions sold.
IMO , keep the spare within 2 tire sizes,use common sense and,drive sensibly a little below the speed limit,drive immediately to where you can the tire fixed or replaced and you'll be fine to use the spare as a SPARE.

There is also such a thing as rolling diameter and what alot of cars use for their TPMS as the revolutions change as the tire goes down . A 34" tire aired down some can have the same rolling diameter or revolutions as fully inflated 32" tire.These are trucks and are built tough and not china dolls.
Click to expand...

Harper, you are right about the diameter change. I calculated circumference and forgot to check actual diameter difference and 1/2 inch will not hurt it at all.

[MENTION=23991]jspagna1[/MENTION] keep your wheels on and just use the original spare. My mistake.

Harper, the first generation TPMS used the rolling diameter. Ours use pressure senors. A tire will change it's loaded radius depending on pressure. It's circumference only changes minimally (less than 1/10") due to pressure. It's hard to stretch or shrink steel belts on today's cars. The old bias ply tires would change a little more. Anyway, thanks for the correction Harper. I also apologize to the other poster even though his reasoning was wrong and he cited no data to back up his claim.
 
If you keep your aftermarket wheels on for the trip along with the original spare;

MAKE SURE THE LUG NUTS ARE COMPATIBLE. Most aftermarket wheel lugs won't work with the factory wheels. I keep 6 factory lug nuts in my toolbag along with the tire changing tools.

That spare won't do you any good if you can't attach it properly... :)
 
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WOW, this is getting good!!!!!

Bottom line guys, I want to get my butt down to FL and back to CT as fast as I can without any interuptions. I'm going with my 21 year old daughter who is a good driver so we will be sharing the driving duties.
 
Antman said:
If you keep your aftermarket wheels on for the trip along with the original spare;

MAKE SURE THE LUG NUTS ARE COMPATIBLE. Most aftermarket wheel lugs won't work with the factory wheels. I keep 6 factory lug nuts in my toolbag along with the tire changing tools.

That spare won't do you any good if you can't attach it properly... :)[/QUOTE

Already did that. Thought about that even I just drive locally. Don't want to be Sh...t out of luck.
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