Looking For Spare Tire Advice

I just changed my wheel and tire package out to a set of Method Wheels with 285/70/17 tires. My 2018 Tacoma still has the stock wheel and tire hanging below the bed and I know that I should be changing my spare to match the new larger diameter. My dilema is this, do I mount a 285/75/16 tire to the stock steel rim OR do I buy a 5th matching wheel and tire in 17". I'm looking at about $300 for the tire only and $675 for a new wheel and tire. I'm not seeing a lot of value in buying a wheel that might never be used (hopefully right?), but I also want to do this once, meaning that I don't want to buy the 16" tire then realize I should have bought a matching wheel/tire. Are there any good reasons to buy the matching wheel/tire that I'm not thinking about? I will want to keep storing my spare tire in the stock location.

 

Nope - just keep the original. Check out the link in my signature

 

Up to you man, but I've always got a matching spare so that I can do 5 tire rotations. You can pretty much use whatever as a spare as long as you are not in 4WD. So in that scenario, you can keep whatever, or you could opt for a 5th matching spare.

If you think you will be doing some offroading, you will want a matching spare should you need a spare. Non matching tire sizes will put a lot of stress on your your drivetrain when in 4WD. The 5th matching will be a spare that you actually get to use as you rotate your tires. Non-rotating spares are, with some exception, just going to sit there and dry rot. I wouldn't want to keep the same spare for multiple sets of new tires. I am sure some do, but I'll pass. I figure for a little more money, you get more bang for your buck.

 

Matching spare is the simplest and safest way to make sure you are covered in the woods if you lose a tire. Also, depending on your new wheels the lugs will be different. So if you keep the factory spare you'll need to carry extra lugs and have the tools to make sure you can change it out. The matching spare is just less headache and one less thing to think about. Now, if your new wheels are all the same lugs as stock, you could just change out the tire on the spare to a used tire of the same size, incase its a financial decision. So at least yo'll have a decent back up plan. Then with time you can decide if you want it all to match.

 

So what’s the biggest size spare that will fit in the stock location?

 

There are a handful of factors here so to a certain extent, YMMV. But most are able to fit a 33". My 265/75R16 fit perfectly without any modifications. My 255/85R16 required some modifications to make fit.

There are a bunch of threads where this is discussed so plenty of good reading to do if you search.

 

Don't care for 5 tire rotations and the futzing needed for TPMS?

Use the tire calculator to learn your diameter and what size tire that fits the stock spare wheel gets close to that.

 

I've been doing 5 tire rotations, no futzing needed other than the time it takes to drop the spare and swap it out. If you rely on your TPMS that's one thing, but if you could care less (like me and tons of others here) then you can basically just ignore it. 4 of my tires have TPMS sensors, one doesn't. Big whoop. Since I don't rely on the TPMS to monitor my tire pressures and I instead handle that myself I could have 5 sensors or 0 sensors and it doesn't change anything for me. The only time my TPMS light ever goes on is when I air down for off road activities.

 

Your suggestion is an option.

My suggestion is an option.

We have no clue what the OP thinks about TPMS.

Your suggestion requires a matching wheel and tire. Mine does not.

So it's more than TPMS, it also depends on if he sees value in 5 tire rotations.

He'll figure out what works for him.

 

Agreed, there are many factors here. Your post wasn't very detailed and seemed to only be relevant to TPMS.