My tires are 275/80R 22.5 Michilen. I'm considering buying a used tire to carry as a spare. I know a newer date would be great and the same make tire, but I'm assuming that will be hard to come by. So....how old is to old...since it will be carried inside one of the cargo bins, out of direct sunlight. My guess would be, that this tire would only be used to get home or maybe to a tire store, till a new tire replacement could be bought. Any suggestions? Also, I would need to get roadside assistance to change it, so is unmounted ok....or would it be best to get a rim also? Thanks

I carry an unmounted spare of the same type as my other tires. Altho heavy, I can take it out of the basement compartment or move it around myself. With a rim it may be too heavy for some to handle. Only you know your own weight limitations. Changing an unmounted tire only takes a few minutes for a tire guy with a pair of tire irons. Just a little longer than it will take for him to install a mounted tire.

Although I have a 5th wheel, I once stayed at a rest area and saw a guy with a Class A waiting for RSA for an hour. He said he had waited for 4 additional hours. He had a full spare tire in his cargo but couldn't lift it by himself. I helped him take the flat off and put the spare on. His was a new tire on the wheel. By helping him, he was able to get back on the road. I would suggest a full spare if possible so that when changed you are not rolling on a old tire and don't have to worry about getting it changed as soon as possible; only getting a new spare on your wheel. But, cost and weight are involved. Good luck

I carry a mounted spare, a compressor and air tools. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to change it myself, but if not, then I've got a spare for the roadside assistance to use. Of course, on the two blowouts that I've had, the first took out both duals, so the spare was a moot point. We got them to bring two new tires. They changed both roadside. On the second, after checking the date of the spare, I decided to get them to bring another new tire. I now have a new spare, mounted and ready.All that to say, there are many trains of thought on this issue. It's ultimately up to you, but I'd beware of keeping an older tire as a spare. If you absolutely wanted to, I might would consider one of the inner duals to be used as the spare when you change your tires. Mounted or unmounted, again is up to you. You'll save several pounds of weight by going unmounted and unless you're going to try the tire change yourself, the technician will be able to do it roadside with no problem.

good idea ,check around and find the best you can, any tire is better than no tire.

This is one of those topics that comes up now and again. there are 2 schools of thought to this. Ones that would not be caught dead without a spare and some that use RSA and let them bring and mount you a new spare. Pros and cons to both. I am on the latter side of the fence and feel carrying a spare I may never need is not only a waste of money but a waste of space. When I can call coachnet to bring me a new tire and have them mount it. But that's the direction I chose. I imagine that's the majority since new coaches no longer come with spares or easy places to put them. But if you want to buy an old tire and let it sit in the bin then I imagine you'd want to buy it from a reputable shop and have it checked out. But how long do you keep it before you swap it out? Sitting un-used in a bin or not - it's going to age and lose air. When it comes time to need it you may find that either it may not be up to the task, or that it only gets you far enough to buy a new tire anyway. How long do you tempt fate on your used spare before you replace it? In which case now you've bought 2 tires. Despite RSA taking longer in remote places than others, I've never heard of anyone stranded indefinitely. I mean if you have to call RSA to change your spare, only to probably have to buy a new tire anyway, why not just have RSA bring you a new tire and save yourself the money you spent on the spare? The risk, I assume you are trying to mitigate, is RSA not being able to find your specific tire. Are they that uncommon? I mean you're going to have to find one anyway in pretty short order. Just not sure what the upside is.

Buying a used tire to carry as a spare? | Good Sam Community

28 Replies

Lancslad
Explorer
Jan 05, 2017
When I put new tires on the rig I kept one as a "spare". But theres no where to put it. I was going to make a holder to put under the chassis but never got around to it. We went to AK last summer and didn't need tire service so I guess that 19.5" spare is headed to the dumpster. When we had a flat in 2015 it took 2 hours for AAA to tow us to a truck stop and 2 hours to fit new tires(i bought 2).I know how to change truck tires and at 70 years old I know I'm not going to do it myself---especially on the side of the road---at night----in the rain!!!!
Jim
Explorer
Jan 05, 2017
While traveling the hinterlands of Canada, note that it's possible to go 200 odd miles without any towns, meaning services are few and far between. So, keep an eye out for road hazards. Miles of gravel instead of blacktop is possible. Depressions in the roads are common, and you hit one of those at 55 the compression can separate tread enough to cause a leak and blowout so drive conservatively. The other advice is in the northern part of Canada, the roads have hundreds of frost heaves crossing the road. Where the blacktop is pushed up and peaks. Hitting those at speed is dangerous. But the road service up there puts these little orange triangular flags on either side of the road shortly before the heave so you can slow down in time.

RV parks are usually a leisurely day's drive apart. You get in a big hurry, you'll likely not have a good time.

Have fun up there.
Daleg70
Explorer
Jan 05, 2017
I did as was suggested by a poster -- I recently bought two new fronts and have kept one for a spare. I had it mounted on a used rim and will carry it on our trip this next summer to Alaska. I don't plan to change the tire myself unless absolutely necessary.

After Alaska we will see whether i continue to carry it or not.

thx -- Dale
John_Joey
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
Jim Norman wrote:
Some states say tires over 10 years are illegal.

Can you provide a link on this?

Not directly, but here is some reading for you Clicky

I have also heard cases where a spare tire would not be installed on a road side call because of it's age.

BTW, Google is your friend, you should give it a try.
Jim_Norman
Explorer
Jan 03, 2017
Some states say tires over 10 years are illegal.

Can you provide a link on this?
John_Joey
Explorer
Jan 03, 2017
supercub wrote:
....how old is to old...

Some states say tires over 10 years are illegal. So work from that point backwards to how long you expect to have that tire as a spare.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jan 02, 2017
Jim Norman wrote:

Any thoughts on mounting your own spare on a wheel?

In 22.5 size?
Good luck. I was able to stand up the 180lb wheel when I was in my 50's but will not even try at my age now.
Have seen few times professionals changing the tire. Not only 4-foot tire irons, but lot of practice to succeed.
My favorite part was always Cheetah
Jim_Norman
Explorer
Jan 02, 2017
This has been an interesting read. In my last RV, an Itasca we carried a mounted Spare, only needed it one time. The Itasca has steel wheels and simulators so all the wheels were the same.

Fast Fwd, New RV is a DP, 22.5 wheels, 6 tires all the same but three different and unique wheels. Front are aluminum, shallow dish, rear outters are deep dish aluminum, inners are steel. So this means I'll likely carry an unmounted spare and potentially a set of irons. When and where possible I will rely on ERS to effect the change, but should I find myself out of touch I will be able to make the change. At least I still can now, we'll have to see how that works when I get older.

Any thoughts on mounting your own spare on a wheel?
J-Rooster
Explorer
Jul 20, 2016
Brian, I would purchase a used tire no older than 6 to 8 years old for a spare preferable newer than that if I could get it at a fair price. I run the same tire size as you so if I have tire trouble I hope your around to lend me a spare? Very solid idea to carry a spare, but I don't want to give up the storage space! As you know I've been RVing since 1976, and haven't had any major tire problems to this date and I'm praying for my luck to continue.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jul 20, 2016
Ivylog wrote:
Unmounted and not a weight or space issue. If I can get road service with the right tire at a reasonable price they can put theirs on. Otherwise this one will get me to where I can buy the correct one at a reasonable price.

Is this 22.5 size?
Those weigh 180lb and I would love to see single person getting it own.
When I was buying 17" tires for my pickup (about 60lb each) the tire shop guy dropped it from shelf 7' above the floor and got hurt in the process.
Coming to getting tire for spare, my local tire shop can find me 2-3 years old tire in 12R22.5 size for about $100.