Spare tire options

mrtifftiff

mrtifftiff

New member
I am currently running 285/65/18 trail grapplers with XD addicts. When I purchased the rims and tires I only bought 4 of each so currently I do not have a spare tire. I called a brick and mortar tire shop to get an additional terra grappler to begin a 5 tire rotation because I just rotated for the first time. I was asking about my options for a spare 5th rim to go under the truck. I do not want to buy another addict because it will just sit under the truck out of view. I was told that I should just get a true spare tire because if I got a trail grappler as a spare, it would be unwise to start a 5 tire rotation with a spare rim because it damages a tire being taken on and off a rim too many times.

Can I start a 5 tire rotation with a spare rim, taking the spare tire and swapping it with one tire every time I rotate? Does taking a tire on and off a rim damage the tire?

If I can not use an addict for a 5 tire rotation, what are my options for a spare?
-Do I need to use an 18 inch rim for my spare tire to match the diameter of the other four?
-Or can I use my yellow, 20" spare and just get a tire with the same circumference of the terra grapplers?

My preference is to start a 5 tire rotation plan with 5 trail grapplers. Considering how deep the cuts/negative space on the grapplers is, I am concerned that the circumference of the tires will decrease enough to cause problems if I ever had to drive a significant distance(50+ miles) on a spare that had been left sitting under my truck. I also don't want to be dependent on a spare tire to get me off the trails. I have a tire repair kit but with no spare I feel like I am playing with fire.
 
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I personally would not bother with a 5 tire rotation, regardless of if I had a matching rim; I just don't see the value in it. I'll always buy a matching spare, but I never rotate it in.
Rotate the 4 regularly, if you need to use the spare it will work fine. If not, then at the end of the day you have what is basically a brand new tire that you can sell for a good amount of money or use as a brand new spare for your next set of 285's.
 
mrtifftiff said:
Can I start a 5 tire rotation with a spare rim, taking the spare tire and swapping it with one tire every time I rotate? Does taking a tire on and off a rim damage the tire?
Click to expand...

Yes. They were designed and intended to be mounted once. If a reasonable amount of care is taken by the tire tech, he may be able to save them. But do you really want to take that chance?

mrtifftiff said:
If I can not use an addict for a 5 tire rotation, what are my options for a spare?
-Do I need to use an 18 inch rim for my spare tire to match the diameter of the other four?
-Or can I use my yellow, 20" spare and just get a tire with the same circumference of the terra grapplers?
Click to expand...

It may look silly while you're running it but if you can match a tire to your 20" rim you would be fine. Doesn't even need to be the same width. Just the same circumference.

mrtifftiff said:
My preference is to start a 5 tire rotation plan with 5 trail grapplers. Considering how deep the cuts/negative space on the grapplers is, I am concerned that the circumference of the tires will decrease enough to cause problems if I ever had to drive a significant distance(50+ miles) on a spare that had been left sitting under my truck. I also don't want to be dependent on a spare tire to get me off the trails. I have a tire repair kit but with no spare I feel like I am playing with fire.
Click to expand...

Unless you are running something like a full time locker in your diff a slight difference in tire circumference won't hurt your drive line. The spider gears in the open diff will automatically adapt to the wheel speed needed on each corner. This is why tiny hide-a-spares can be run on most cars.
 
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mrtifftiff said:
What about damaging the drive train because the spare has a larger circumference due to wearing? The tread depth on the trail grapplers is significant.
Click to expand...

You won't damage anything. Worn vs. new tires of the same size, under inflated tires and going around gradual curves. If you are going down a perfectly straight level glass smooth highway with absolutely no deviation then you would have about 10 rev/mile difference if you put on a bald tire vs a brand new tire of the same size. That's assuming all tires have the exact same psi and the alignment is perfect. In real life....your tires are going to go different rpm's lol.
Let me give you an example: You get to work and the temperature is 30 degrees but it's going to be a beautiful spring day. You park the 4Runner pointing north. By 12 o'clock the temperature is 55 degrees. (Exactly the same as it was here yesterday, 25 degree difference in 4 hours) If you would gauge your tires before you went to lunch you would have almost 2 psi more in your right side tires, just due to the temperature difference and a little help from the Ideal Gas Laws. That won't amount to much of a different circumference but it will be some. Now add that to: A little bit of mis alignment, tires not inflated to exactly the same value and you only made left turns all morning then you will get a big difference between tire rpms!

Bottom line, don't worry about using a brand new spare with 3 worn tires. The difference is not as great as you think.
 
Bringing this back to life...

I have Toyo Open Country AT II 285/70/17 on my 14 TEP, should I:

- Get a new full sized 285 tire for my spare, or
- Am I fine with using the stock 265s in an emergency, or
- Get rid of the spare all together and use my patch kit/on board air if I have a flat (better ground clearance)

Thanks guys for the help/advice
 
You'll be fine with stock spare in an emergency. I wouldn't drive around for a month on it though. I can't remember last time I've had a flat on LT tire.
 
3wbdriver said:
Unless you are running something like a full time locker in your diff a slight difference in tire circumference won't hurt your drive line. The spider gears in the open diff will automatically adapt to the wheel speed needed on each corner. This is why tiny hide-a-spares can be run on most cars.
Click to expand...

And this is when I feel like an idiot. Didnt see this last part...
 
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