Keeping a Deflated Spare?

[0xfded]

O wiser ones,

I have a question about keeping a spare in an aired down state, maybe with a strap squeezing it so that it fits in place.

Context: I just added a 4xInnovation rear bumper. Unfortunately, my 265/70/R17's are about an inch too wide to store in the stock location--it contacts the panhard bar, and the hitch on the bumper. (Note: this is 100% my fault. 4xI has been great, and informed me in advance what size tire would fit, but I dumbly measured the width of the tire while it was on the vehicle. Stupid.)

I have a serviceable onboard compressor, so I played around with airing down the spare and then using a ratchet strap to snug it in about an inch. But I don't know if this is going to unseat or outright ruin the tire over time.

Is this just a dumb idea?

 

[pluton]

I know it doesn't hurt the tire to keep it deflated, but applying a constant localized pressure via a strap over long time periods could deform the tire.

 

[JayRolla]

I know it doesn't hurt the tire to keep it deflated, but applying a constant localized pressure via a strap over long time periods could deform the tire.

Which also happens to the spare since it sits against frame rails. Even when inflated.

 

[0xfded]

Which also happens to the spare since it sits against frame rails. Even when inflated.

The strap was a little more alarming when I tried it out, because it was a really localized deformation. More of a pinch, rather than broad compression.

You guys have me thinking I should try airing it all the way down to nothing and seeing if that allows it to tuck in. I half suspect that doing that may let it fit in, but then the lack of pressure means it won't be snug against the rails.

I suspect a tire carrier might be in the cards later this year.

 

[dwmckeehen]

This should go without saying, but needs to be mentioned. There is risk in this idea even if there isn't damage to the spare. I take my rig in remote enough areas that I want to make sure I have an inflated, usable spare in spite of carrying a high end, robust air compresser. It would suck to have a flat tire, flat spare and a compresser that just went belly up out on the trail somewhere.

 

[JayRolla]

This should go without saying, but needs to be mentioned. There is risk in this idea even if there isn't damage to the spare. I take my rig in remote enough areas that I want to make sure I have an inflated, usable spare in spite of carrying a high end, robust air compresser. It would suck to have a flat tire, flat spare and a compresser that just went belly up out on the trail somewhere.

They have $50 compressors that are beast mode, very reliable and will fill a 33" tire in about 5 minutes. I would trust that compressor no problem. If not I would be in situations with 10psi aired tires leaving the trail many times.

 

[TXLX1]

They have $50 compressors that are beast mode, very reliable and will fill a 33" tire in about 5 minutes. I would trust that compressor no problem. If not I would be in situations with 10psi aired tires leaving the trail many times.

ViAir 88p is a good, affordable compressor (I'm sure you can spend more and get a better portable). 16 to 35psi in about 4-5 minutes. I run it for about 20 minutes at a time and no issues at all with it.

 

[JayRolla]

ViAir 88p is a good, affordable compressor (I'm sure you can spend more and get a better portable). 16 to 35psi in about 4-5 minutes. I run it for about 20 minutes at a time and no issues at all with it.

Yeah my brother has that one. We have done 8 tires in a row, hot weather for about 40 minutes and it never shut off.

I have the superflow mv50, Masterflow 12v High Volume Air Compressor / Inflator - Walmart.com.

Both pumps work about the same and are affordable.

 

[0xfded]

This should go without saying, but needs to be mentioned. There is risk in this idea even if there isn't damage to the spare. I take my rig in remote enough areas that I want to make sure I have an inflated, usable spare in spite of carrying a high end, robust air compresser. It would suck to have a flat tire, flat spare and a compresser that just went belly up out on the trail somewhere.

Yep, totally hear this. But at the moment, it might be a choice between a deflated spare and compressor, or no spare. That's the main reason I think my long term choice is adding a tire carrier, or switching bumpers.

But I do keep a ViAir 85P in my trouble kit, and have used it a couple of times to make sure it isn't a dud (most recently to re-inflate the spare in question).

Something to experiment with this weekend. Thanks for your thoughts guys, it seems like I'm not completely out of my mind on this one.

 

[TXLX1]

Yeah my brother has that one. We have done 8 tires in a row, hot weather for about 40 minutes and it never shut off.

I have the superflow mv50, Masterflow 12v High Volume Air Compressor / Inflator - Walmart.com.

Both pumps work about the same and are affordable.

It's a good one. My buddy did that to one of his Viair and it runs a little slower now, but still runs.