Using a matching wheel for spare tire

[pcrawfordpt]

I do, and it’s simple. Actually easier, because you only have to jack up one wheel at a time when you start rotating with the spare. Besides, the five tire rotation makes the most sense. Otherwise you basically have a spare that ages out and gets tossed. Or a spare that you might have to use after it’s aged out and possibly unsafe. If for some reason you completely blow a tire, the spare has closer to the same wear as the others, not full tread and the others lesser tread. If this happens just pick up a used spare and start with five the next set. As far as TPMS, get the Schrader brand for your specific year., as there was a change back in mid 2021.

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[Reddog]

Hello all,
Has anyone used a matching wheel as a spare tire? I read that I’ll have to also install a TPM sensor.
Were there any issues such as no center cap so the system can mount it? How big of a hassle is switching the center cap when performing a 5 tire rotation?
Will the wheel get scratched when stored in the spare tire location?
I want to perform 5 tire rotations when performing maintenance. Thank you in advance.

I have AEV wheels and 37's on my JTR and my spare is the same wheel and tire. Fit fine after I bought a curved track bar for the rear. Plenty of room. I sprayed some liquid car wax on the wheel before I installed it to try to keep the corrosion from the road to a minimum, but I do not five tire rotate. I run mud tires year around with good luck so when they wear out I buy new ones. Waste of time to five tire rotate for the effort it takes in my mind. Keep center cap in glove box.

 

[Deadpool392]

Hello all,
Has anyone used a matching wheel as a spare tire? I read that I’ll have to also install a TPM sensor.
Were there any issues such as no center cap so the system can mount it? How big of a hassle is switching the center cap when performing a 5 tire rotation?
Will the wheel get scratched when stored in the spare tire location?
I want to perform 5 tire rotations when performing maintenance. Thank you in advance.

When I moved up to 37’s I went 5 tires and wheels, TPMS in all 5, and am currently doing a 5 tire rotation. Here is my thought and plan: I needed a 37 spare and I also want to get my monies worth, so I am 5 tire rotating for now. When it comes time to replace my tires, I will keep the best current tire and use it as my spare. If I need it when my new tires are new, I will just over inflate it to acount for the diameter difference. I will then 4 tire rotate and leave the spare just for emergency use, when it is time to replace again I will keep the best of the 4 tires (2nd set of 37’s) and get rid of my original that is serving as a spare. I figure this is the most cost effective way to do tires, but everybody feels differently about tires.

 

[bill61]

I can understand that. I drive so little that a set of tires (5 tire rotation) lasts more than 6 years. My JKU’s KM3s have 40,000 on them and look to have another 30,000 left. That means my Nittos will probably last 5 or 6 years at my current driving habit. That will mean a full set just because of age.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I do. I have five identical wheels/tires and do a 5-tire rotation.

Same. It works great.

 

[Blade1668]

A multi part answer on factory rims and tires, tire rotations, ect. The plastic center cap does pop out easily and last for years even when removing repeatedly. It's similar to the same ones used for decades. My 05 Wrangler center caps have been being removed and replaced since at least 2006. I had a round red trailer light that I bought for a 3rd brake light that sticks in the hole. **Not a Gladiator thing. ** Now on with the Gladiator side.
It's a PTA to get the tire winch plate in though for the 5 tire rotations, it's a personal thing. I do it, I've posted reasons why in other threads before. I do try to keep all the tires on the same level of wear and use. Then replace as a full set. Having one different tire in size, or level of wear, brand, ect ect. Trash one tire in wherever and not be able to find a matching replacement leads to the having to buy a full set. Some of us have been there done that, in the same month or even 2 weeks of getting a set of tires. I'm sure some here DGAF about spending a few hundred or thousand bucks on tires (rims) every month unplanned.
A few of my uncles drove around without even having a spare tire, one all the way home from Alaska to Illinois and back a few times in the 1980s.
Not something I would do, I learned to be self reliant and prepared for anything as possible.

 

[bill61]

I pulled into a gas station (about 70 miles from anything else on the ALCAN) and as I’m filling the tank heard hissing. I was glad I had a spare then. Sliced a sidewall about 10 in on the trail once, glad I had a spare.
And other occurrences.
I like the five tire rotation as I don’t want waste a perfectly good tire.

 

[Blade1668]

I pulled into a gas station (about 70 miles from anything else on the ALCAN) and as I’m filling the tank heard hissing. I was glad I had a spare then. Sliced a sidewall about 10 in on the trail once, glad I had a spare.
And other occurrences.
I like the five tire rotation as I don’t want waste a perfectly good tire.

I've ended up with a few incomplete sets of tires like that. To a point of almost buying 6 tires at a time. The reason I ran 31×10.5r15 Wrangler tires for Walmart most of the time on my Wrangler.

 

[bill61]

Almost all my flats (2 sidewall slashes in that mix) were factory Firestone tires. You couldn’t pay me to run Firestone tires.
I’ve had one leak with a BFG and that was a screw I picked up. Put a plug in and good to go.

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