5 new wheels or 4?

[kevman65]

Personal preference.

I run a 5 tire rotation, so I have 5 matching wheels/tires.

Nothing says you can't run a 4 tire rotation and just keep the spare as a spare.

Sponsored

 

[Camaroboi13]

For those of you who think it’s all about money aren’t taking into consideration that there are those of us who drive our vehicles instead of looking at them.

I drive 20k miles a year. That’s a tire rotation every 3 months. There’s no fuzzy math, 5 tires WILL last 20% longer than 4 tires, I’m not sure what the confusion here is. All five of my wheels cost me 300 bucks. All 5 of my 37” Toyos cost me 1700 mounted and balanced. If I get 50k miles on a set of 5 instead of 40k on a set of 4, that’s worth the extra 350 bucks to me. And if you drive less than I do, say 10k miles a year, then you get another year’s worth of mileage for just 350 bucks. That’s a win in my book, no fuzzy math needed.

 

[Camaroboi13]

I like to carry my spare with valve stem point toward ground so it is easy to check psi. Was looking at how spare mounts (hangs) and it seems like it would mar a nice aluminum wheel. How do you prevent this from happening?

You just mar the other four so it blends in.

 

[JAPE]

Another benefit of the 5 tire rotation is ...
When its time to buy new tires you have the flexibility to change tire brands/types without having 1 nearly new tire that never touched the ground (your spare) that no longer matches the other 4 new.
My first set of Tires were 33" WildPeak MT's. I did not have a matching spare wheel so I did 4 tire rotation, I still have the original spare in storage with zero miles. I am now driving 35" Mickey Thompson's with a 5 tire rotation. I anticipate my 3rd set of tires will be different. This time I will not have another spare to store.

 

[RMFSJT]

5 wheels

 

[Dickies Outdoor's]

OK, so assuming I buy new wheels, and I am pretty sure I am. I have a different question from the topic of my other thread. When I purchased new tires, I bought 5. I am not sure if I need to do that with wheels. All 5 tires are 34s. However, if I buy new wheels, they will 17x9. The spare is the factory 17x7.5. I know the tires won’t be the same size mounted to the different size wheels. Will it be enough to make my Gladiator angry, and I should get 5 new wheels, or will it be safe to keep the stock wheel for the spare and just get 4 new wheels. Thanks!

If you're able, just get the 5th rim, less hassle down the road.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Decisions…lol. I probably will just go with 4 wheels…but I will think about it.

The cost of 1 extra wheel to do a proper 5 tire rotation will pay for itself in tire cost savings immediately. Especially with AT or more aggressive tire, you'll seriously piss of your diffs (except the front) if you got 4 almost bald and then you have to use your spare which is brand new and subsequently a 1/2 in taller than the rest. just food for thought

 

[Mr._Bill]

For those of you who think it’s all about money aren’t taking into consideration that there are those of us who drive our vehicles instead of looking at them.

I drive 20k miles a year. That’s a tire rotation every 3 months. There’s no fuzzy math, 5 tires WILL last 20% longer than 4 tires, I’m not sure what the confusion here is. All five of my wheels cost me 300 bucks. All 5 of my 37” Toyos cost me 1700 mounted and balanced. If I get 50k miles on a set of 5 instead of 40k on a set of 4, that’s worth the extra 350 bucks to me. And if you drive less than I do, say 10k miles a year, then you get another year’s worth of mileage for just 350 bucks. That’s a win in my book, no fuzzy math needed.

There is no fuzzy math. Using the numbers you provided, the tires cost $0.034 per mile for either a four tire or five tire rotation. You gain nothing from a five tire rotation, and spend extra money up front for the matching wheel. There's also the additional time and effort required at rotation time. You do what makes you happy. I just don't see any advantage that would convince me to try it.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I see no need to have a matching spare when it's hiding under the bed.

I may never use it, or at least that's the plan.

 

[Not2Late]

When I upgraded my wheels and tires, I bought a matching "plane jane" (size and offset) steel wheel go under the car and mounted a matching tire. I don't plan on doing the 5-tire rotation. I definately see the benefits and do them on myJL and JK, but was worried about the tough life a nice wheel would incur under the back!

 

[trust]

I bought 4 when i did it a few years ago. Last year i was in an accident that ruined one rim. That rim is no longer made so now i have 3 bronze and one black on the ground... buy 5

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I bought 4 when i did it a few years ago. Last year i was in an accident that ruined one rim. That rim is no longer made so now i have 3 bronze and one black on the ground... buy 5

Parts get discontinued all the time. You can't buy spares for everything.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Parts get discontinued all the time. You can't buy spares for everything.

You can, but eventually you run out of money and storage space.

 

[Camaroboi13]

There's also the additional time and effort required at rotation time. You do what makes you happy. I just don't see any advantage that would convince me to try it.

Oh no! Six extra minutes of my life that I will never get back… what am I going to do!?!?!?

 

[gladtohave]

5 wheels w/5 tire rotation

Sponsored