Cheap A$$ Spare

[Bruno]

Im buying 255/85 R16 Tires, they are around $250 Ea.
For the Spare, I can:
1) Buy the same tire and rotate 5.
2) Buy a cheap alternative, and cover it.

Is option 2...weird?

Ex: A used 255/85 R16 Trailer tire is around $50, and could definately get me home.
+ I would not need to do the weird 5 tire rotation.

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[Layman]

Why not just keep the OEM tire and wheel back there? Even if the size is off a bit, I don't think it would matter too much. Cars run "donut" spares all the time. Just mind you speed if you ever have to use it and you should be fine.

 

[Bruno]

Why not just keep the OEM tire and wheel back there? Even if the size is off a bit, I don't think it would matter too much. Cars run "donut" spares all the time. Just mind you speed if you ever have to use it and you should be fine.

yea I thought of that too but wouldnt that look weird to have a spare smaller than the others?
Or maybe nobody would notice since its in a different location...?

 

[Lcubed]

if you're off-road when you actually need the spare, it might be fun getting back to pavement with a total street tire on one corner

 

[Tricky Dick]

I made an error in the math so reposting.

Let's run some numbers. Say this set of tires will last for 30k.

A set of 4 plus a trailer spare will cost you $1050, which is 0.035 cents/mile.

A set of 5 lasts 20% longer - 36k miles.

A set of 5 tires is $1250. Divided by 36k? 0.035 cents/mile. You're not saving anything.

 

[ChrisB351]

yea I thought of that too but wouldnt that look weird to have a spare smaller than the others?
Or maybe nobody would notice since its in a different location...?

When I first got wheels/tires for my old jeep I kept the stock spare. Had a flat on a trail and the size and tread difference barely got me out. The hour and half drive home wasnt any better.

 

[Bruno]

Let's run some numbers. Say this set of tires will last for 30k.

A set of 4 will cost you $1000, which is 30 cents/mile.

A set of 5 lasts 20% longer - 36k miles.

A set of 5 tires is $1250. 36k divided by $1250? 29 cents/mile.

Ok, buying 4 is the same cost as buying 5. Good point.
Im sure its just me, but rotating 5 feels like a pain to keep track of + doesn't feel like a natural, true balanced equal rotation....
that said I'm sure theres a process smart people swear by

 

[Bruno]

When I first got wheels/tires for my old jeep I kept the stock spare. Had a flat on a trail and the size and tread difference barely got me out. The hour and half drive home wasnt any better.

rignt.... a smaller spare is always an uncomfortable feeling.....

 

[EgreenBadSquatch]

I made an error in the math so reposting.

Let's run some numbers. Say this set of tires will last for 30k.

A set of 4 plus a trailer spare will cost you $1050, which is 0.035 cents/mile.

A set of 5 lasts 20% longer - 36k miles.

A set of 5 tires is $1250. Divided by 36k? 0.035 cents/mile. You're not saving anything.

I’m not doing it to save any money. I’m doing it so when I replace my stock tires I will have a set of 5 that match

 

[toughtoaster]

IIRC there can be issues with the 4x4 system if the diameter of the tires are different when engaged with lockers (think like AWD system) and can cause some mechanical binding/issues so beware of that.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Ok, buying 4 is the same cost as buying 5. Good point.
Im sure its just me, but rotating 5 feels like a pain to keep track of + doesn't feel like a natural, true balanced equal rotation....
that said I'm sure theres a process smart people swear by

My initial math was junk but when done correctly it still worked out in favor of buying 5. Bonus is 5 tire rotation is easier to do because you only need to jack up one corner at a time.

 

[MayhemMike]

I made an error in the math so reposting.

Let's run some numbers. Say this set of tires will last for 30k.

A set of 4 plus a trailer spare will cost you $1050, which is 0.035 cents/mile.

A set of 5 lasts 20% longer - 36k miles.

A set of 5 tires is $1250. Divided by 36k? 0.035 cents/mile. You're not saving anything.

You need to calculate in the cost of rotating the tires into the equation. Unless one rotates themselves or gets it done for free, you pay for rotation. Say rotation at 10K miles costs $20. That is probably another $60 to get to the 30K mark. Personally, your original equation works for me because I never rotate my tires. More often one of the tires suffers a non-repairable puncture that requires replacement, and erases any predicted mileage gain from rotation.

 

[604Bronco]

I made an error in the math so reposting.

Let's run some numbers. Say this set of tires will last for 30k.

A set of 4 plus a trailer spare will cost you $1050, which is 0.035 cents/mile.

A set of 5 lasts 20% longer - 36k miles.

A set of 5 tires is $1250. Divided by 36k? 0.035 cents/mile. You're not saving anything.

Me trying to convert this from USD to CDN, as well as to the metric system:

 

[‘21OBX]

Ok, buying 4 is the same cost as buying 5. Good point.
Im sure its just me, but rotating 5 feels like a pain to keep track of + doesn't feel like a natural, true balanced equal rotation....
that said I'm sure theres a process smart people swear by

I find it easier to rotate the spare in. Pop the spare off first and swap it in the right rear. Then continue about. You don’t have to have two corners of the car up at the same time.
IMO and I’m being brutally Honest but not trying to be mean. DO NOT CHEAP OUT! It looks like crap having no or mismatched spare just buy the same size and rim!

 

[Boreal]

The posted replies say 90% of the good stuff.

There are only negatives to purchasing a smaller spare. While only benefits to putting in the extra effort for the 5 wheel rotation and having a full size spare at the ready in the event it’s required.

I wouldn’t even think about using 4H/A/L or lockers if you ever needed to swap in the donut while on trail, that’s asking for nothing but mechanical problems down the line or it could put you in a worse scenario with a blown diff/TCase.

Your money, your choice.

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