DAS26miles
San Fernando Valley, California
Senior Member
Joined: 10/11/2003
View Profile
|
I know many of you will think it foolish and a waste of money, but do any of you buy a new spare when you replace your other 6? I didn't last year when I bought a set. They just took the least cracked tire and made that my spare. But I am having second thoughts now. If I have to use that 5 1/2 year old semi cracked tire, I am concerned that it will fail. I had to replace my 6 last year not because of wear, but severe cracking due to ozone and UV. I live in LA.
I am planning a 1,200 mile trip for just after Labor Day and am thinking about taking the spare in and replacing it, and rotate it with the front tires.
|
dobbler98
Ohio
Senior Member
Joined: 05/01/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
We did the same thing; kept the best one for the spare.
1993 Minnie Winnie
Class C 24'
Chevy 350
Usually pulling one of my toys 
|
Westronics
Redmond, WA
Moderator
Joined: 08/07/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
Here's a place where I don't follow expert advice.
I treat my spare as "for emergency use only." If needed, I would use it only long enough to get a new tire.
Because of that, I don't worry about my spare - it stays in its hard-shell case out of the sun and exposed to only mild temperatures, generally (because of where we live) and I won't replace it when I replace my other tires. But.. if I do ever need it, it will be only to get me to the closest tire store at a reduced speed. Somewhat like the "emergency spares" for passenger cars.
I am not advocating this for others, though, as this flies in the face of all professional advice.
2002 Jayco Greyhawk 24SS, Cameras (RVCams), ScanGauge II/Blendmount, 300W Inverter, Airtabs,12' Portabote w/sail, Be kind to septic systems.
Ford motorhome customer service: 1-800-444-3311.
|
ron.dittmer
Near Chicago
Senior Member
Joined: 02/26/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Having a spare tire is very good peace-of-mind. But I feel it's condition doesn't have to be "Best" to do it's limited job. It makes sense to pick the best of the old tires and dedicate it as the spare. If you have to use it, just get the flat tire repaired and mounted as soon as reasonably as possible.
Don't include that "limited use" spare when rotating tires. Treat it like a temporary spare on a car.
When storing the spare, I would put in the max tire pressure allowed as stated on the tire itself. On my RV tires, it is 80psi. All too often, the spare gets over-looked with propper pressure, so I keep the max in there with the intent on letting out what I don't need pending where it gets mounted.
I personally never include the spare in tire rotation, even when all tires start out the same age. In-fact, I don't rotate any tires. I have my reasons from experience with an RV I owned for 24 years.
Bought new in June 2007, Phoenix Cruiser-2350
Fits inside our garage.
Dingy towing a red Toyota MR2 Spyder
See The Inside by clicking on "View Profile" and scroll down
|
Dakzuki
Carnation, Wa, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 11/01/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
I my case the spare was in the same condition as the other tires.....worn, checking, and 12 years old.
I bought 7.
I keep my spare at the pressure for my front wheels which is highest. I check its pressure when I check the others as it's hanging on the rear of the RV and easy to get to.
95 Chinook Premier
|
|
|
trop-a-cal
Palm Coast Fl
Senior Member
Joined: 09/24/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Yes, go for the new spare. If you have to replace an RV tire, it's usualy due to blow out, or nail. That blow out distroys the tire. A new tire with a patch, due to a nail, is a good spare. So when you replace the problem tire, put on the new spare and you are done. Otherwise it has to be taken off again and you usualy end up buying the new one at premium prices in the middle of no where. If after 5000 miles you haven't used it, rotate it in, usualy to the right front where the wear is the most due to far right pot holes.
|
old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
Senior Member
Joined: 03/15/2006
View Profile
|
the question here is do I need to replace my spare, yes if it needs replacing. if it's so-so let it go, since you will have 6 new tires on the ground, chances of a flat or blow out is very little, but then it could happen, stranger things have happened I'm sure. they did on my TT. anyways, you could run over trash on the road and have a flat, then the spare is a very important asset. A lot of good a spare is if it can't get you to the tire store, right?
|
ron.dittmer
Near Chicago
Senior Member
Joined: 02/26/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Agreed to all comments just above. If the spare tire cannot be trusted to do it's job, then buy a new tire. It should be trusted to drive 1000 miles on it, under all expected conditions.
Have the shop make proper repairs or replacement of the flat, and then have them put that tire back on as part of the work done.
|
JFG
TN
Senior Member
Joined: 07/01/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
A new spare will cost probably less than a tank of gas... go for it
Fred
|
Jarlaxle
New England
Senior Member
Joined: 11/18/2006
View Profile
 Online
|
I'd either take the best old tire (did just that on my bus), or buy a used tire as a spare.
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body
A bunch of other vehicles
3 nutty cats (Maya, Vierna, Briza)
One lazy dog (Marmaduke)
One wife (Liz)
"A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
-Jim Steinman
|
|
|
