Spare tire cover or no?

[airishfan]

Do people think we should use a spare tire cover, or no? And if so, go simple, or get one with a cool design?

It feels silly to get one, the other tires get along just fine without one. On the other hand, the other tires are constantly rotating what's getting the most direct sun. So maybe the spare would start to be impacted since it's always the same side up?

even with a cover over the spare tire is it still always the same side up. I never use a spare tire cover to ugly to me

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[Erock]

Why would anyone not do a 5 tire rotation when it’s a matching spare? Guess I thought it was a pretty standard thing.

 

[DriveAllNight]

Fun fun fun

Ok
First off, somewhere along the lines, it became cool not to have a tire cover. Years ago it was the opposite, even if you had a matched rim. Custom covers were in demand.

Second, yes a good quality tire cover will protect your spare from aging out faster while just riding around back there freeloading.

Third, a cover could possibly trap moisture promoting rust if you have rustable stuff haning back there - bolts, steelies, your tailgate.

Forth, if you don't have some need to have a clever saying or picture on your butt while driving down the road, and you want to be fashionably cool, go to your local auto parts store and get some UV protection, much like your skin at the beach, your tire will thank you.

Fifth, if you are keeping your Bronco or Jeep for a long time, it's cheaper in the long run not to add your spare into the tire rotation. But when you do get new shoes, swap it in, and put a new tire back there.

Sixth, if you don't plan on keeping your ride for multiple tire changes, it's cheaper to rotate in your spare. Especially if you're trying not to replace tires before you get your next ride.

Seventh, if you do plan on keeping your ride, but you like the idea of changing what tires you're running, size, type, whatever, then you'll want to rotate in your spare, or be prepared to sell it on the used market when the time comes because you'll want the matching spare.

Eighth, if money isn't your first priority and let's be honest, it isn't or you wouldn’t own a Bronco, then do what makes you happy who gives a sh!t what we think.

 

[JT58Bronc]

No spare tire cover and I do the 5 tire rotation with every oil change- like 3-4K miles over a 7-10 month period. I did one at 1500 miles- mainly to get the nobbies off of the spare and get a feel for doing the rotation with such huge tires and wheels- and clean the salt and residue from inside the wheels (from the factory when they test drove it it a salty area back in January when it was built).

Was pretty easy (other than the weight). My wife helped me get the spare on and off. Spare has TMPS, was balanced and no action was required from me, no error messages or anything.

 

[Murraydog11]

I just like the look.

 

[RagnarKon]

you do oil change ever 5000 miles ,man thats old school.

Nah… old school would be 3000 miles.

Honestly 5000 miles is when I start thinking about an oil change. The oil change itself usually doesn’t happen until 500-1500 miles later depending on how busy/lazy I am. I try not to go over 7500 miles though.

 

[DaBronCo33]

Depends how cool and expensive the cover is.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Fifth, if you are keeping your Bronco or Jeep for a long time, it's cheaper in the long run not to add your spare into the tire rotation. But when you do get new shoes, swap it in, and put a new tire back there.

Sixth, if you don't plan on keeping your ride for multiple tire changes, it's cheaper to rotate in your spare. Especially if you're trying not to replace tires before you get your next ride.

I'd like to see the math on this one.

 

[rtazz17]

Fun fun fun

Ok
First off, somewhere along the lines, it became cool not to have a tire cover. Years ago it was the opposite, even if you had a matched rim. Custom covers were in demand.

Second, yes a good quality tire cover will protect your spare from aging out faster while just riding around back there freeloading.

Third, a cover could possibly trap moisture promoting rust if you have rustable stuff haning back there - bolts, steelies, your tailgate.

Forth, if you don't have some need to have a clever saying or picture on your butt while driving down the road, and you want to be fashionably cool, go to your local auto parts store and get some UV protection, much like your skin at the beach, your tire will thank you.

Fifth, if you are keeping your Bronco or Jeep for a long time, it's cheaper in the long run not to add your spare into the tire rotation. But when you do get new shoes, swap it in, and put a new tire back there.

Sixth, if you don't plan on keeping your ride for multiple tire changes, it's cheaper to rotate in your spare. Especially if you're trying not to replace tires before you get your next ride.

Seventh, if you do plan on keeping your ride, but you like the idea of changing what tires you're running, size, type, whatever, then you'll want to rotate in your spare, or be prepared to sell it on the used market when the time comes because you'll want the matching spare.

Eighth, if money isn't your first priority and let's be honest, it isn't or you wouldn’t own a Bronco, then do what makes you happy who gives a sh!t what we think.

science on this please!

Personally hate covers and feel they do worse harm having them on. But I spent a lot of money on tires and rims and they will be seen

 

[Dingbat]

I'd like to see the math on this one.

This.
And what do you do if you want to try a different type of tire?

 

[Scott R Nelson]

If you do a 5 tire rotation there's no need to worry about tire degradation.

This. I vote no. I've already done the first 5-tire rotation on my Bronco. Now the spare has a bunch of tiny rocks in the tread, unlike before the spare had been used. Someday when I'm bored, I might dig them all out of there.

 

[HRSPW]

I just like the look.

I second that!

 

[kodiakisland]

5 matching wheels/tires, then of course 5 tire rotation. Unless you like having something bought and paid for that you never use.

Save money? No not really, but you do go a longer interval between buying new tires. I can drive 50K miles and buy 4 tires or drive 60K miles and buy 5. Or, at the end of that initial 60K miles I keep the best of the 5 for a dedicated spare and buy 4, thereby saving money.

Either way, spare tire covers are retro and that’s about it. Some retro I like, some I don’t.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Do people think we should use a spare tire cover, or no? And if so, go simple, or get one with a cool design?

It feels silly to get one, the other tires get along just fine without one. On the other hand, the other tires are constantly rotating what's getting the most direct sun. So maybe the spare would start to be impacted since it's always the same side up?

I'm going to start looking for a tire cover for my upcoming SAS soon.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

I think they look better without the cover.

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