Spare tires, steelie or full sized

Just go to the tire shop and get an equivalent sized used tire to use as a spare. When I upszied they just threw in a decent used AT tire for free.

If it's not free it will still be a heck of a lot cheaper than putting in a brand new one. I'd only used a brand new one if I was planning on rotating 5 tires.

 

Ended up getting a full sized spare. Planning on rotating the spare tire in with my rotations though so I can get some use on it.

 

You would be okay, they are identical in diameter: https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=255-85r16-255-80r17

 

Pitching in for spare info:

I'm using the stock 16" spare steel wheel, with a 255/85R16 BFGoodrich mud terrain as my "full sized" spare, technically slightly larger than my four 285/75R16 Toyo AT3's (mounted on the stock 16x7 TRD OR aluminum wheels).
I figured that, since the diameter is nearly identical (33.07" BFG versus the 32.83" Toyo's) therefore the ride height difference would only be half of the difference in diameter (0.24"/2 = 0.12" difference in ride height). So it made sense to me that it would work great as a spare, for these reasons:

1. With a full sized spare, I would have reduced vertical clearance under the bed by 20mm, since I went from the stock 265mm width Goodyear, up to 285mm with the Toyo's. With the 255mm width of my BFG spare, I instead gained 10mm of additional clearance.
2. The fact that my spare BFG MT tire has a way-more aggressive tread pattern than the Toyo AT3, means that if I ever find myself in a tight situation and need to use the spare, it guarantees I will have more than enough traction to get off the trail and get home safely. And, the increased road noise and odd look, should keep me reminded to replace my tire ASAP!

Any thoughts?

Also, why are y'all running those skinny 255 tires? Wider = better! Although, I do have aftermarket UCA's and cab mount chop!

Also curious as to why so many of you chose to run 17" wheels? Is it because there's no 16" steelies that fit?

 

I just took delivery of 4 OEM TRD 17/7 matte wheels, that I planned on pairing with Falken Wildpeak AT/3s. I called Discount Tire to discuss that install and ask about dealing with the spare. My thought was to either keep the 16" spare wheel and put a cheap 265/75/16 on it or get a cheap 17" wheel and put either a 5th wildpeak or a cheap/used AT tire on it. My truck is not lifted and the guy at DT sounded very concerned about both the tire choice due to rubbing AND not being able to mount the spare due to the size difference. Everything I've read up to now indicated neither would be an issue.

Did the guy at DT just not know what he's talking about or am I missing something?

 

Full size spare on a cheap rim to limp home but maybe keep the 5th good wheel at home for when you screw one wheel up or have a better mounting solution?