Buy a 5th matching wheel or mount/ dismount every tire rotation?

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

My primary concern would be damage (scratching, rash) to the wheels (AEV Salta XRs) whether having tires taken on/ off, or riding under the bed.

Cost over the life of the tires (37 KO2s) I assume to be a wash (I already have a matching spare tire on a generic aluminum Jeep wheel) whether a new wheel or 8-10 mounts and balances.

My first thought is to get a new wheel but if its going to get rashed up or etched under the bed (besides water fording there's coastal salt air exposure) then it'll look crappy in comparison while each wheel takes it's turn in the hole so-to-speak.
Then there's careless techs. The less chances given to mess up a wheel...

What is the general consensus?

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[jay21mojave]

I am in the have 5 matching wheels.. both of my Jeeps wear 5 that match.

 

[Kevin_D]

You shouldn't even be considering a 5-tire-rotation with mount/dismount every time. It's simply undue stress on the tire and wheel.
Either get a matching wheel for the spare, get used to a mis-matched wheel, or just do a 4-tire-rotation.
If you're really concerned about the condition of the wheel in the spare location, put it in with the back side facing down and some cardboard for padding on the top, or wrap it in a heavy-duty garbage bag before you stow it.
Honestly, the four wheels on the road will show wear much more so than the spare.

Kevin

 

[cdyoung9799]

I only did the 5-tire rotation on my Wranglers. On my JT, I'm in the 4-tire rotation club. I rotate my own tires, and I'm just not going to go to the trouble of trying to protect an aftermarket wheel mounted under my bed. It would just be a waste of my time to make sure it's properly covered/protected while lowering/raising it. But, it's your Jeep and your money. Do what suits you best.

 

[Hootbro]

On a Wrangler, I understand the 5 tire rotation. On a truck, it is a false economy to me of buying a matching wheel, tire and rotating it in for only a 20% gain in service life before all 5 need to be replaced and start again.

With a 4 tire rotation and just keeping the spare a spare when actually needed, you can easily get 2-3 sets of 4 tire change outs before worrying about the cost of a spare replacement due to age.

For me, I just bought cheap new steel wheel and a decent tread depth and fresh age used tire for the spare. Fluid film the wheel and drop it once a year during my annual fluid film application, check the pressure and back up it goes. To me, it is better than fully dropping a spare, dragging it out for the rotation and putting the next wheel back up into its storage position.

Just stating my 2 cents, do whatever floats your boat.

 

[Mr._Bill]

The extra expense of the matching wheel, and the time and hassle to rotate five tires, is not worth it for me. I just do a four tire rotation when the oil is changed.

 

[MCATDT]

4 wheel here. Bought a used 35 as a spare mounted to the steel rim and I am good to go.

 

[Zissou]

My recommendation is to do a normal 4 wheel rotation. This is what I'm doing.

If you want a spare just throw a cheap (either used or a cheap brand) same size tire on the OEM spare. It's only supposed to be used in an emergency so it should be fine to save money. No one is going to see that wheel anyways, so no point in getting a matching one.

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