For those buying used tires...

[PyrPatriot]

And you only are able to get a set of 4, what do you do for the spare? Particularly if they are M/T tires.

I was able to get 4 Falken Wildpeak M/T tires with only 1/32 tread wear on them. Though they won't be driven much (aside from planned off-roading trips and heavy snow conditions), I foresee getting a flat down the road and needing a full-size spare. However, unlike the Dueler H/T, A/T, or even Falken Wildpeak AT3, the tread on M/T and other off-roading/AT tires can be very aggressive and wear noticeable. Do you go and try to find another tire in the same size? Do you get it newer, or more worn to offset the chance of having 3 worn-down tires and one freshly knobbed tire?

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[MarineHawk]

And you only are able to get a set of 4, what do you do for the spare? Particularly if they are M/T tires.

I was able to get 4 Falken Wildpeak M/T tires with only 1/32 tread wear on them. Though they won't be driven much (aside from planned off-roading trips and heavy snow conditions), I foresee getting a flat down the road and needing a full-size spare. However, unlike the Dueler H/T, A/T, or even Falken Wildpeak AT3, the tread on M/T and other off-roading/AT tires can be very aggressive and wear noticeable. Do you go and try to find another tire in the same size? Do you get it newer, or more worn to offset the chance of having 3 worn-down tires and one freshly knobbed tire?

I always have five equal tires and wheels and rotate all five. Works best for my needs.

 

[PyrPatriot]

I always have five equal tires and wheels and rotate all five. Works best for my needs.

Yes but that isn’t always possible

 

[MarineHawk]

Yes but that isn’t always possible

Perhaps not easy, but plausible. Just buy a fifth set like the other four. Costs a bit more in the short term, but pays off later.

 

[PyrPatriot]

Perhaps not easy, but plausible. Just buy a fifth set like the other four. Costs a bit more in the short term, but pays off later.

My question was for the circumstance described. If you buy 4 used knobby tires it stands to guess your spare shouldn’t be new and thus a larger circumference than the other 3 (4th assumed needing replacing due to flat)

 

[MarineHawk]

My question was for the circumstance described. If you buy 4 used knobby tires it stands to guess your spare shouldn’t be new and thus a larger circumference than the other 3 (4th assumed needing replacing due to flat)

If you have a tire failure, you don't need to worry about spare treadwear. You have open diffs driving to the nearest tire shop. You will have the slightest, non-material wear on your diff getting there--basically nothing. Notice how many vehicles have small temporary spares. Much larger difference than what you're talking about, and they still work.

 

[PyrPatriot]

If you have a tire failure, you don't need to worry about spare treadwear. You have open diffs driving to the nearest tire shop. You will have the slightest, non-material wear on your diff getting there--basically nothing. Notice how many vehicles have small temporary spares. Much larger difference than what you're talking about, and they still work.

So I'd be ok using a new or slightly used tire as my full-size spare even with the tires being M/T? These would only be going on for off-road purposes, dedicated steels wheels.

Now, does the spare need to be the same brand? I'm having a hard time finding Falken M/T in 255/75/17 and none of the shops in my area but one even order Falkens. I am finding lots of KO2 and other M/T tires in the needed size though. Could I even just get a non-M/T tire for my spare?

 

[MarineHawk]

So I'd be ok using a new or slightly used tire as my full-size spare even with the tires being M/T? These would only be going on for off-road purposes, dedicated steels wheels.

Now, does the spare need to be the same brand? I'm having a hard time finding Falken M/T in 255/75/17 and none of the shops in my area but one even order Falkens. I am finding lots of KO2 and other M/T tires in the needed size though. Could I even just get a non-M/T tire for my spare?

A modest difference in tire size won’t matter. I wouldn’t do it for tens of thousands of miles. But you’re normally going to be within 20 miles of a shop that can repair your damaged tire.

You should watch this ingenious 1937 video that explains how an open differential works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAw79386WI (the first 90 seconds and the end are a bit silly, but you can skip those if you want).

Your differential gearing will work a bit more when driving in a straight line with different sized tires, but that won’t matter for the distances we’re contemplating.

The type of tire should not matter at all. You’re just trying to get to a tire shop.

There also are decent tire-repair kits out there, which, when combined with a decent air compressor, often can make things easy to get back up and running.

I always have an identical spare tire and wheel, but that's only because I rotate five tires.

 

[PyrPatriot]

thank you for clarifying

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If you have a tire failure, you don't need to worry about spare treadwear. You have open diffs driving to the nearest tire shop. You will have the slightest, non-material wear on your diff getting there--basically nothing. Notice how many vehicles have small temporary spares. Much larger difference than what you're talking about, and they still work.

Correct in that the carrier side gears/spiders allow for different rotational speeds and won't be burned out or torn up for the short time getting a tire fixed. I've worked on dozens over the years and have yet to see an open differential torn up due to tire differences - it's usually other issues.
HOWEVER -
I don't have open differential in the back so need a spare the same exact size. But I will be seeking a full set of 5 tires and wheels, or at least tires if I decide I like the Overland wheels too much to swap out. I will make sure whatever I do, I end up with 5 matching and rotate them all when I rotate.

 

[Gatorized]

My question was for the circumstance described. If you buy 4 used knobby tires it stands to guess your spare shouldn’t be new and thus a larger circumference than the other 3 (4th assumed needing replacing due to flat)

If you don’t do a 5 tire rotation your spare will eventually be significantly different diameter than the other 4. Eventually you will have a brand new spare while the other 4 are extremely worn. Difficult to do a 5 tire rotation with the stock steel wheel. What do you do when you replace the 4? Keep the existing spare or replace it and throw out a perfectly good tire? Eventually even the spare will be unusable due to age and need to be replaced regardless to the amount of the spares tread remaining.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I only do the four tire rotation. I don't see the point in the expense of a matching tire and wheel that will rarely get used, or the hassle of a five tire rotation to make sure it gets wear.

When I traded in my 14 year old Silverado, it still had the original spare in the carrier. I had put new wheels on after a couple of years. Since I had the room, I carried two of the original wheels in back for spares. They only got used a couple times. After I put some high quality tires on it, I didn't have any more flat tire issues. But I'm also not one who goes off-road very often, and I avoid construction sites as much as possible.

 

[spazzyfry123]

If you don’t do a 5 tire rotation your spare will eventually be significantly different diameter than the other 4. Eventually you will have a brand new spare while the other 4 are extremely worn. Difficult to do a 5 tire rotation with the stock steel wheel. What do you do when you replace the 4? Keep the existing spare or replace it and throw out a perfectly good tire? Eventually even the spare will be unusable due to age and need to be replaced regardless to the amount of the spares tread remaining.

Yep. Exact reason I just got a fifth matching wheel.

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