Spare Tire Question

[TotallyHucked]

Spares can wiggle quite a bit under the truck, I'd check the sidewall very closely before considering using it for a primary tire (or even as a spare for that matter). I've seen them worn quite a bit into the sidewall, even in just a few years time. Personally, I'd still just buy a full set and leave that one for a spare. The minute you don't have a spare is the minute you'll need one.

 

[RamDiver]

Thinking about new tires on my 2019 RAM 1500 and am happy with ride and performance on the original tires and plan to get identical replacements. I have never had a flat and assume the spare is identical with the original four tires. Since the spare is underneath the frame and never receives UV light or direct heat from the sun; is there any reason not to use it when replacing the tires, thus saving the cost of one tire?

You may want to start your research on this topic by crawling under your truck and capturing some of the most important data.

I have a full-sized spare on my '21 Classic and IIRC, it's a 245/75/17 that has a working pressure of 55 psi.

Also, this quote is from a DS pdf user's manual;

Full-Size Spare — If Equipped- The full-size spare is for temporary emergency use only. This tire may look like the originally equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not. This spare tire may have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, the temporary use full-size spare tire needs to be replaced. Since it is not the same as your original equipment tire, replace (or repair) the original equipment tire and reinstall on the vehicle at the first opportunity.

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[Tulecreeper]

You may want to start your research on this topic by crawling under your truck and capturing some of the most important data.

I have a full-sized spare on my '21 Classic and IIRC, it's a 245/75/17 that has a working pressure of 55 psi.

Also, this quote is from a DS pdf user's manual;

Full-Size Spare — If Equipped- The full-size spare is for temporary emergency use only. This tire may look like the originally equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not. This spare tire may have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, the temporary use full-size spare tire needs to be replaced. Since it is not the same as your original equipment tire, replace (or repair) the original equipment tire and reinstall on the vehicle at the first opportunity.

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That's interesting. My users manual says, "Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire and Wheel - If Equipped: Your vehicle may be equipped with a spare tire and wheel equivalent in look and function to the original equipment tire and wheel found on...your vehicle. This spare tire may be used in tire rotation..."

 

[RamDiver]

That's interesting. My users manual says, "Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire and Wheel - If Equipped: Your vehicle may be equipped with a spare tire and wheel equivalent in look and function to the original equipment tire and wheel found on...your vehicle. This spare tire may be used in tire rotation..."

That's good to know.

Like the myriad of other options for these vehicles, never assume you have anything without looking first. My hard-copy manual looks like it was written for many different trucks.

Reading my truck manual is like reading the ingredients list on fast food. May or may not contain...

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[Tulecreeper]

That's good to know.

Like the myriad of other options for these vehicles, never assume you have anything without looking first. My hard-copy manual looks like it was written for many different trucks.

Reading my truck manual is like reading the ingredients list on fast food. May or may not contain...

.

I know. there are certain things about this truck that I want to know about but can't find in the manual.

 

[RamDiver]

I know. there are certain things about this truck that I want to know about but can't find in the manual.

I've accepted that it will likely take ages to learn about many of the features of my truck and I'm at peace with that thought now.

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[mikeru]

Guys the OP has a 1500. Some of you are commenting on your HD's, and I would imagine the spare on a 2500 and 3500 would be more likely to match the rest of the tires for obvious reasons. I'd also be surprised if any HD has a temporary spare, but like anything else I could be wrong about that. Nothing about these trucks surprises me anymore.

 

[brian42]

For the 1500 if you get the ORG (Off-Road Group) you get the same "all-terrain" tire that is on the other wheels but it will be on an 18x8" steel wheel; all the others get a temporary spare tire (not sure if the higher trim Longhorn and Limited get the 'full-size' regardless).

I have read both schools of thought (yes and no for using the spare tire as one of your regular road tires) and both sides have some valid points.

Personally I will never do it again. I bought 5 tires and had a tire separate after awhile. The tire shop told me to buy 4 new tires but I thought that was to get me to spend more money so I bought 3 tires, used the 5th (spare) from the previous set, and took the best of the ones used and made that the spare...and had another tire separate. I did the same thing again...and another tire separated. The tire shop told me that I shouldn't use a spare for anything else once I've tucked it under the truck, even if it was the same as what was on the ground.

Regardless, any reputable tire shop will tell you to replace your tires if they are at least 6 years old. Once the tire gets down to 2/32" tread or is over 10 years old then they won't work on it (only replace it)...and that includes the spare.

 

[GTyankee]

My Tire Store refuses to fix a tire, when it reaches a certain age

before long, car & light trucks will not get a spare
you will get a Plug Kit, tire goop, and a small air compressor
That will make the vehicle 30 pounds lighter.

That ought to give the vehicles another 2/10s of MPG

of course they lost more than that with the monstrously heavy E-Torque thing on the engine & the battery that supports it

 

[TestPilot57]

UV and temp are not the only enemies of rubber. Maybe not as great as UV but almost certainly more damaging than temperature (except maybe wild extremes) is long term oxidation. There's more than one reason why tires (in some/many/most states?) will not pass inspection after X years.

That said, I have never personally been sidelined by a flat tire, and with the current available options it simply is not worth it to me to worry about maintaining a viable spare. YMMV

Now, if I were planning a trip on the AlCan, that's a different story.