Buying a used tire to carry as a spare?

[supercub]

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

[Lancslad]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Some states say tires over 10 years are illegal.

Can you provide a link on this?

[John_Joey]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[rgatijnet1]

I always use the best of my take-offs for my unmounted spare that I carry. Since I change tires at around 50,000 miles(3-4 years) they usually have tread left and I know the history of that tire. I also get a decent credit for my tires when I buy new tires. Changing a tire is not that difficult and torquing the lug bolts or loosing the lug bolts is not that difficult either, with a breaker bar and a pipe extension, held with a jack stand. In fact, if you want to carry a couple of tire irons, you can mount the tire just like a service tech will. The tire bead can be broken with one of your levelers. It all depends on your physical and your mechanical abilities.
If you don't mind waiting and being at the mercy of the nearest tire dealer, that is OK also. To each his own as there is no right way or wrong way when it comes to a spare tire.

[doublev]

hotjag1 wrote:

kalynzoo wrote:

I had a flat with damage to the sidewall just last month between LA and Sacramento. We were able to drive safely to a tire shop at Harris Ranch. I was thrilled that on a holiday weekend they were open and had the right tire for my van. I only had to pay $180 for a tire I could purchase at home for $60-$80. Truly I was thankful that they were there, the service was fast, and the family could get back on the road. Just of cost of living sometimes.

So you were happy that you had to pay 3 times the normal price of a tire because you didn't carry a spare? Personally, I would rather carry a spare than get ripped off by a tire dealer that knows you are at his mercy!

I'd be happy -- for some people it is about the service and not dollars and cents. It is $100-120 extra which sounds reasonable. I assume they mounted it and everything. The business deserves to have some economic benefit for providing exceptional service.

I'd rather have his experience than getting my clothes dirty and dealing with 90 minutes of trying to mount a heavy tire (one poster had a tire on his roof.. how do you even get that thing down? That to me is for emergency use only)

[doublev]

This all depends on the coach. If you are fortunate enough to have jacks to lift the coach and you have the tools to remove the tire and mount a new one (and your replacement tire already is on a rim), then it seems logical to carry a spare. Husband and wife team can probably tackle the problem easily.

In my case, the coach is too heavy for MH jacks and I think the torque specifications on these trucks are pretty insane that I would need to plunk down some serious coin for the right air tools to torque these up right and a dedicated jack...

On the upside, while sitting around and waiting 5 hours for RSA does not sound like fun, you are in a motorhome.. so it is not the end of the world. A blowout would be bad for me (sitting roadside waiting for help). A nail in the tire is not a big deal.. put some air in it, get to a closest CG or safe place (walmart, even), and then wait it out.

[nuget102]

I bought my class A and was fortunate to have a full spare (with what appears to be a great rim) as well as an unmounted Spare and an extra rim. I haven't thoroughly looked them over, but they look decent. At least good enough to get to a shop to get a new tire on.

Like others have said, you're only limited to what You can lift by yourself really. No guarantee anyone will come along and help you out the tire on, and in an emergency that can be bad. But so is blowing a tire haha.