Help - missing spare tire

I just bought a 2018 TRD Sport MT Tacoma that did not have the spare tire. No clue why they would try to sell it that way but now I need to quickly find one that works. My question is how do I determine what I need to look for? Should it match the other tires or be something more economical?

 

Welcome to TW Jay
Hit up a tire shop for proper rim and tire. If your Taco is 4x4 matching set is more important than 2 wd.

 

Spares are often stolen. It is easy to do and not be noticed.

The stock spare was a steelie rim. My Taco came new with Toyo A30 tires and a Firestone Destination spare. Currently, I have slightly larger AT tires and the same spare. I don't get flats and do carry a plug kit, so I am indifferent.

If you get flats often or tend to run a long time on the spare when you do have a flat, you need to factor that into you decision. For me, it would only be on there long enough to either get a larger puncture fixed or replaced.

 

Go back to the place you just spent 30k at.
They should put one under the truck for you.

 

If you bought it from a dealer, complain about it. They should make it right.

Ted

 

Go back to the dealership you just bought it from and ask for it. Some dealerships remove the spares from trucks on the lot because of how easily they are stolen. They may have forgotten to put it back under when you purchased the Tacoma.

 

Was this a used truck? May not have been traded in with a spare so you might be put on your bottom because of this.

You can get 17 inch replacement steel wheels pretty cheap then add a tire your current size to that.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I bought it used from a non-Toyota dealer and discovered it missing during my pre-purchase inspection. The dealer reduced the price to account for the missing wheel. Sounds like I can either match what I have or get something a little cheaper as a stop-gap to get any damaged tire repaired. I never realized spares were often stolen off trucks.

 

Make sure to get the spare tire lock when you do replace!

Here in Socal the tweakers steal them with impunity.

 

Yep, had one stolen from my 91 shortly after I bought it brand new.

When I went up in wheel and tire size I bought a bigger steel wheel from Amazon (FJ steelie) and upsized the tire. My old spare went to my son who got my old tire and wheel package.

 

I had my stock spare stolen in Denver 2 years ago, I put a full sized 33 with a nice rim on and the spare tire lock and it hasn't been touched with the spare tire lock. Super easy to install, a little harder to get it off now but 110% worth it. Once you replace it definitely put it on.

 

Where you located?

 

Check out the Marketplace here, you may be able to find one.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/wheels-tires-marketplace.146/

 

Right outside of Charlotte NC

 

Hmmmm

 

I’m glad this is my Friday.

 

Welcome to TW



in some places the tail gates are stolen too.

 

You got a dupe ?

 

Looks like it! Not gonna pull a @Hobbs though!