Replacing 4 instead of 5 tires on a used trailer?

I did exactly the same thing. Replaced 4 GY with 4 maxxis and left the never used, always covered, looked brand new spare GY for a spare. The tire basically exploded while sitting on the back of the trailer. In my opinion not worth the risk. Here's the thread I posted a couple of weeks ago. YMMV

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27124365.cfm

If Maxis tires are as good as everyone says they are, then put four new ones on the road and continue to use the Goodyear Marathon as a spare.

Four new Maxis tires on the road give you the best odds for a trouble free trip.

The spare has been out of the elements and never carried any load. It could be used as a spare for a really long period. My father never put the spare on the road in his Lincoln Town Car for the first 10 years he owned it. Then he put it on and drove it for four more years. No problem.

Years back I had a friend that worked for Firestone (way before they became Bridgestone). He was an engineer at one of their plants and he told me they had a temperature controlled (and maybe humidity as well) store room where they kept an assortment of brand new tires including tires for small planes and even tires for model-T Fords that had the words "non-skid" for a tread pattern. These atypical tires were stored off the ground in racks basically forever just in case a need arose.

I would be ok with keeping the original spare, but for such a long trip, I would carry two spares.

At least in my situation, my tires are a size/spec that I have always had to order... Never have found them sitting on a shelf any place.

So I wouldn't want a long trip getting derailed trying to find a replacement and still have a spare.

Bryan

Just did this yesterday on our new to us '01 Dutchmen! Spare was ORIGINAL!!!! :S
Replaced spare & 3 on ground-best looking 5 year old tire became "new spare". I will have a new spare by spring of next year at the latest. We have 1 more trip (after this w/e's trip-leaving this afternoon till Mon IF I GET STUFF DONE!) in Sept. If I need to use, I will be in the slow lane at about 50 or so on the old tire!

Atlee wrote:


My question is since it's never been on the ground, and covered since being put on the TT, and since it'll only be used as a spare, do I need to replace it.

You do not NEED to replace it.

When I replaced mine, tire dealer said my spare (covered and never put on ground) was in better shape than others and not to replace, just be aware if I used it, to take it easy on it remembering it was older than the others.

I figure if he wasn't pushing me to buy a fifth tire, then it really was okay. This was at a locally owned tire shop. If they don't sell tires, they don't stay in business.