Rotate in the Spare Tire/Wheel?

I'm thinking of picking up a new set of wheels and heard they're going out of production. If I damage a wheel I won't be able to find a replacement they'll be gone. So, I thought of buying an extra wheel and tire to run in with rotation. I'd rather not buy an extra wheel/tire for "just in case" but it seems necessary since accidents can happen.

Are AT tires okay to rotate to the opposite side?

 

I had a GM truck that I rotated all five. I can't remember the pattern exactly. It was in the manual. Since then I haven't had a truck that recommended rotating all five. Only the four. I always took the rears straight forward and put the fronts on the opposite rear locations. Not sure how my dealer has been doing it for me lately since with age I'm becoming less excited about working on this stuff. Besides the cost for the oil change and routine stuff is worth having them do it.

 

There have been a few threads on why you shouldn't criss cross the tires when you rotate. I always go front to back only. Several tire manufactures still say it's acceptable to criss cross when rotating tires although every shop I've asked says they wouldn't because it wears out the belts faster. Invest in a tire plug kit, you're more apt to use that than replacing the tire unless you tear a sidewall or completely shred the tire.

 

Criss-crossing bi-directional tires has no negative effects. Criss-crossing uni-directional tires is bad though.

I criss-cross the tires on my truck...in fact, just did it last night. I have never had any premature tire wear as a result.

 

Manual on 2011 states not to criss cross

 

My 08 manual has directions and diagrams for rotating and swapping sides, as well as directions for including the spare in the rotation. The tires are normally the deciding factor in the decision. Tires which can only be rotated front to back will have a rotation directional arrow molded into them.

 

Mine is the same way. There was a debate on this in a few other threads about whether tires should be criss crossed or not and it ended up most people said you shouldn't regardless of whether the tires are unidirectional or not. My tires can be criss crossed, even says so on the manufacturer's website however I do not because I've been told enough times that it can cause problems with the belts. I just rotate front to back and leave the ugly steel spare under the truck for a rainy day.

 

I bought a set of rims and center caps and put the spare on one. I still have three, two rims are for sale.