Running 19.5" wheels; what about the spare?

[Ski_Pro_3]

I've got a set of Rickson 19.5" wheels recently and currently shopping for tires. In the meantime, I've been reading up about the 19.5" option and it would seem Rickson's website does not find having a spare as necessary.

Rickson wrote:
Getting a spare is not necessary, however, if the spare is worked into the rotation pattern, then the set will last that much longer. It's not a good idea to leave the spare under the truck and never run it, as the rubber will dry rot and the spare may not be any good when you need it. In most cases, the 225/70R19.5 is the only size that will fit in the factory spare location, although some 245s will fit. We recommend getting a spare if it will give you peace of mind, or if you plan on traveling to Alaska or Mexico.

So I'm wondering what other 19.5" wheel owners are doing about their spare tire? Do you carry one? If so, is it rotated or changed regularly to avoid a dry rot and worthless tire?

From my research, 19.5" tires are fairly available while out on the road. My insurance covers roadside service. There are several commercial tire dealers that are capable of dispatching and installing new tire in the field.

If I had a flat, I wouldn't attempt to change it anyways, that's why I got roadside assistance with my policy. Whether I'm towed in, a tire replaced on the spot, my spare installed or any other options I'm not thinking of, I do not think it's a safe option to try and fix a roadside flat without assistance.

Follow-up question;
How many 19.5" tire owners on their truck camper have had a flat while on the road? How did you handle the situation?

[kbaum]

I would do the same as Dadwolf2 if my spare did not fit in the factory location under the the pickup bed. Heavy combination though, not easily to put back after it's dropped.

[dadwolf2]

I use a 285/70R-17 as a spare. Unless I drive to Alaska or South America I am not going to worry about it. 19.5 won't fit in in the regular spare space (short bed truck & Hellwig sway bar) and I would have to go with a front spare mount.

[Reddog1]

I have had only one flat tire on my truck/s in over thirty years. I do carry a spare, which is a stock 16". I run 245x19.5s and carry a 4200 pound TC. The TC only increases the front axle weight by 200 pounds. If I had a flat in the tear I would move a front tire and wheel to the rear, and put my spare in the front.

Wayne

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

🙂 Hi, I didn't see any mention of if your truck is a dually or not. I had a tool truck with 19.5 wheels and no spare, and never needed one. I also did a six tire/wheel rotations, but all of my wheels were the same. (white painted steel wheels) If your wheels aren't all the same, like some trucks that I have seen, they have an outside polished aluminum wheel on front, an inside polished aluminum wheel on the outer rears, and steel wheels on the inside rears. These have to be all removed and remounted for a proper rotation. (big hassle, but do-able)

[Bedlam]

jimh425 wrote:
I now have stock 19.5 stock wheels on my F450 which includes a 19.5 spare.

I didn't carry a 19.5 spare on the F350 SRW. My 18 was the same diameter, and I could have always put it on the front and moved the front 19.5 to the rear.

X2

My 5500 has a 19.5" spare while F250 had an 18" spare. Never needed the spare when I went to 19.5's, but it's nice to have if you suffer tire damage.

[wcjeep]

I carry a 19.5" spare. I found it necessary to carry the spare at zero psi because of my Torklift SuperHitch. I normally have two different sources of onboard air. My aluminum 19.5's do use different lug nuts than stock.

[chevor]

I would buy two. I like to wear tires in pairs. I believe keeping tread depths even on drive axle is best for life of tires. Other wise the tire thats worn more will wear faster than the other side.

[jimh406]

I now have stock 19.5 stock wheels on my F450 which includes a 19.5 spare.

I didn't carry a 19.5 spare on the F350 SRW. My 18 was the same diameter, and I could have always put it on the front and moved the front 19.5 to the rear.

[bka0721]

With Rickson Wheels you will not need to swap out your lug nuts as they use the same OEM lug nuts.

b

[kbaum]

I have a 19.5 spare, the same tire and wheel combo I have on the ground. I do a 5 tire rotation, works for me.

[crosscheck]

I carry the OEM 275R70 18 as spare. Always check air pressure. 200,000 km no flats on 19.5's on gravel/ pavement/ construction sites sometimes with TC. As spare tire is out of sun, never considered dry rot . OEM is within 1/2" diameter of 19.5's. Run a set of studded 18" tires in winter. Very important. Lug nuts are different on 19.5" Visions than 18" OEM. Always have a set of 8 OEM lug nuts if you do have to change flat.

Dave

[bka0721]

I carry a spare. Having a flat with one is very rare. If you travel in normal areas, there should not be as great as a concern for road service and or cell service. If you are opt to travel off the normal paved roads and remote and or rural areas you might give it consideration.

But I'll throw this out. The previous owner of Btggraphix truck and camper too the bottom of South America and back, then thousands of miles with new ownership all without a spare. So there is that, too.

Me? I'll still bring a spare.

b

[JumboJet]

I cracked an aluminum 19.5" wheel while on a trip and noticed I was losing air while in Maine. My 19.5" tires were 33.5" tall. My spare was 31.5" tall. I ran the spare tire on the right front all the way home.

I bought a spare 19.5" wheel and tire and never used it. Matter of fact, I still have it and 4 Michelin tires to go with it. My motor home uses 19.5" tires.

[Buzzcut1]

I carry a 19.5 spare, fits just fine on my F350. Learned my lesson when I had a crappy spare and a blow out on I5 Xmas day..even the truck tire guys were closed...

[tony_lee]

Guess running without a spare is OK if you are always in cell phone coverage and roadside service can find you and reach you, and you are not trying to get somewhere urgently.
However, given that Murphy's Law hasn't been repealed, I always carry spares. One mounted spare and one unmounted spare and the tools and expertise to change both wheels and tyres is essential.
Have had three flats on my F350 in 4 months. Two I could fix with a tyre plug and the other was a big hole ripped in the sidewall on a sharp rock. Was two days and a lot of asking around before I found a spare that would fit. Lucky I had 16" tyres on because in the Bolivian backblocks, 19.5" just aren't available. And I had the unmounted spare to fit as well.
In the US, we have spent time in areas with no cell coverage and no passing traffic so make sense to carry spares there too. Which I do.

BTW I can't see any difference in attitude regarding one size tyre over another. Given the same set of circumstances, a spare tyre might save your life regardless of what size it is.