Trail Edition...those who upsize, did you replace the spare?

[Thai]

hey all,

I finally had a chance to take a close look at the Trail Edition at my loca dealer. I like it!! For those of you who upsize the tire on the TE with 275/70/17 (or bigger), did you also upsize the spare?? When i looked underneath, there was barely any room between the spare and hitch.

Thanks.

 

[LWN]

I didn't - I carry a mini 12 v. air compressor in my tool kit to handle the occasional slow leak until I can repair it. In 300K miles on my 98 T4R, the spare has never been used.

 

[jca21]

I didn't - I carry a mini 12 v. air compressor in my tool kit to handle the occasional slow leak until I can repair it. In 300K miles on my 98 T4R, the spare has never been used.

agreed

a few tires plugs and a compressor is all you need. however, if i were to upsize my tires i'd probably swap out the spare too. one of those just in case things i guess. especially if it was going to be a long distance overland trip i'd definetly pack a full size spare. although its rare that you'll blow out the side wall i've seen people do it on trails here.

peace of mind i guess.

 

[Net4n6]

I have a 4th gen with 285. I place the spare in the "trunk" and tie it down good.

 

[Thai]

The problem is that if you get a gash on the sidewall, there is not much that you can do about it...no plug is gonna help you. And with the electronics these days on cars, a tire that is not the same size as the other 3 may cause issues.

 

[jca21]

The problem is that if you get a gash on the sidewall, there is not much that you can do about it...no plug is gonna help you. And with the electronics these days on cars, a tire that is not the same size as the other 3 may cause issues.

hence why i said, even with a compressor and plugs i'd still get a spare thats the same size as the drive tires. ya never know whats gonna happen. if you do mostly on road driving, tearing the side wall is unlikely. but on the trails its a good possibility that the sidewall can tear.

 

[COarcher]

agreed

although its rare that you'll blow out the side wall i've seen people do it on trails here.

peace of mind i guess.

I've had that happen when I was turkey hunting when I was 16. Luckily I had just bought a full size spare for my jeep earlyer that week.

 

[ftlee20723]

If you went with a AT 275 tire instead of the 265 tire that comes on the TE will it fit in the spare tire holder? Do you need to upgrade the spare if you are only running a slightly wider tire?

 

[jca21]

If you went with a AT 275 tire instead of the 265 tire that comes on the TE will it fit in the spare tire holder? Do you need to upgrade the spare if you are only running a slightly wider tire?

i would match the spare with the other 4 drive wheels if i were you. running three 275's and one 265 on a trail doesnt sound very pleasing to me. lol.

 

[ftlee20723]

i would match the spare with the other 4 drive wheels if i were you.

But, will the 275 fit in the area where the spare tire goes?

 

[ftlee20723]

running three 275's and one 265 on a trail doesnt sound very pleasing to me.

I never take my vehicle offroad. Would I have a problem running on the full-size spare until I could get to the tire store to replace the damaged tire?

Unfortunately, it seems that the BFG AT TA KOs in 275-70-R17 are not something anyone stocks. It would need to be ordered.

 

[SeattleMike]

I never take my vehicle offroad. Would I have a problem running on the full-size spare until I could get to the tire store to replace the damaged tire?

Unfortunately, it seems that the BFG AT TA KOs in 275-70-R17 are not something anyone stocks. It would need to be ordered.

Ok, I have to ask... why bother with an expensive, aggressive offroad tire like the KO if you never take your Trail Edition off the road? Why not stick with something smooth, quiet, and more fuel efficient?

 

[ftlee20723]

why bother with an expensive, aggressive offroad tire like the KO if you never take your Trail Edition off the road?

Because I like the looks of the "aggressive" tread pattern. Did you see pictures of LWN's and 7HARPER's TE with the BFG 275-70-R17 AT TA KO on there? That is very cool looking. I just need to know if that tire will fit in the stock spare tire holder.

 

[Hugo]

And with the electronics these days on cars, a tire that is not the same size as the other 3 may cause issues.

i would match the spare with the other 4 drive wheels if i were you. running three 275's and one 265 on a trail doesnt sound very pleasing to me. lol.

For a short period of time, it wouldn't do much harm.

Besides, just make sure the smaller tire is up front, put it in 2wd and drive to the nearest garage. Problem solved.

 

[Thai]

For a short period of time, it wouldn't do much harm.

Besides, just make sure the smaller tire is up front, put it in 2wd and drive to the nearest garage. Problem solved.

Even in 2wd, VSC (stability control) is monitoring the rotational speed of all 4 wheels.

 

[7harper]

The question then is "How sensitive is VSC to different size tires and what would be the result"?
Let's look at some numbers then.
These are from the 1010tires tire size calc.

265/70/17 Radius: 15.80 in -Revs per Mile: 658.2
275/70/17 Radius: 16.07 in -Revs per Mile: 646.9

That makes the 265 spare if needed to be .27 inches ,about a 1/4" lower then the other 3 tires.

Could you let some air out of the three 275's to make it equal or is the VSC that sensitive to 1/4" ?Or will the more weight on the other 3 tires/springs let them drop down to equal the size of the 265 or somewhere inbetween.?

And what would happen to the truck? Probably at most throw a VSC light and VSC not work.Worst case I think is it would partially cripple your truck if you are out in the woods wheelin.

Here are some questions....My tread depth on my 275's is over 1/2 inch,so what if they are worn down 1/4" to half life and I have a 275 spare,then what?If that's the case what would happen if your stock tires are worn down 1/4" and then you had to use the spare which is still brand new and 1/4" bigger?
What if your going around a big sweeping turn and more weight is on the outside tires bringing them 1/4" lower.Throw a VSC light?

In my opinion ,VSC cannot be looking for that accurate of a rotational speed between wheels.

Like I said yesterday, the one sure fire easy way to test it is to swap out the spare and ride around to test it if you are running tires 1 size bigger. It's a good idea to see first hand how to get the spare down and change it in case you would ever have to use it. It might be a cold rainy nasty night and would be nice to already know how to do it and that your tools work and where your jacking points are.You can read the manual all you want but there's no substitute for actually doing it.

 

[Thai]

Could you let some air out of the three 275's to make it equal or is the VSC that sensitive to 1/4" ?Or will the more weight on the other 3 tires/springs let them drop down to equal the size of the 265 or somewhere inbetween.?

And what would happen to the truck? Probably at most throw a VSC light and VSC not work.

In my opinion ,VSC cannot be looking for that accurate of a rotational speed between wheels.

Like I said yesterday, the one sure fire easy way to test it is to swap out the spare and ride around to test it if you are running tires 1 size bigger. It's a good idea to see first hand how to get the spare down and change it in case you would ever have to use it. It might be a cold rainy nasty night and would be nice to already know how to do it and that your tools work and where your jacking points are.You can read the manual all you want but there's no substitute for actually doing it.

I think that you have to look at the circumference differences, not the radius. So, airing down the other 3 tires will likely not work.

The problem is that when VSC is active, then it is likely pulsating the brakes of the "spinning" wheel +/- throttle cutback. So, IF VSC gets active, then it is not a good thing, esp. if you're on the highway. You will pull to one side and overheat the brakes...and you will be dethrottled. Again, this will happen ONLY if VSC is active.

Harper is right...i have no idea how sensitive VSC is. I do know that my Mercedes ESP is pretty darn sensitive. So, for me, i don't want to play any games with ESP.

 

[ftlee20723]

Even in 2wd, VSC (stability control) is monitoring the rotational speed of all 4 wheels.

Can't you just hit the VSC off button while you are running on the spare? I am 42 years old and have never needed a spare in the past. I wonder if I do not intend to offroad with them what the chances are that I might need the spare.

Also, the BFG 275-70-17 is not a popular size tire so, one would definitely need ordered if something were to happen. Nobody has them in-stock.

 

[clemson4rnr]

Also, the BFG 275-70-17 is not a popular size tire so, one would definitely need ordered if something were to happen. Nobody has them in-stock.

Not to get off topic, but the Discount Tire by my house (Atlanta- Peachtree Industrial Store) had 10 in stock when I went

 

[clemson4rnr]

Momentary brain fart..... I stand corrected, I was reffering to 265's! Sorry