No point in carrying spare tire

No issue running a smaller tire. Not going to f-up your axle. Maybe in 4wd...

Havent you ever seen a car with a donut tire?

 

I have a full size spare. I would never drive without one. And I would never be off road without one that's for sure.. Just mount it in the bed.Looks ugly is no reason to be foolish....

 

Yes you will if drive far enough. I saw a Subaru burn down on the freeway from running a donut too fast, rear diff caught on fire and burned the car to the ground. They're only for short distances at slow speeds.

 

you can use the smaller tire just put it on the front of the truck lol. that's the way I've learned. Even if it's 4wd it is an open diff so spinning at different speeds is no problem. on the back that's a no no because they get power

 

If you drive FAST enough. That's why you need to keep speeds under 50. Drive slow, go to the nearest shop/home, and you wont have to worry at all.

Go to fast, yes, the diff can heat up, the lubricants can break down, and you can do some damage.

If you are really concerned (only works with manual hubs and 2wd), you can always use a front tire and put the spare up front.

 

True story hahaha!

I've seen a couple cases of subies doing that, on the internet anyway...

 

auto disconnect differential front

 

oooh how wrong youd be...

 

I'm a contractor and usually have equipment and materials in my bed, plus a cap in the winter, so I remove my spare when I'm working close to home. Which is 98% of the time. I crank it up under the bed for trips. Have never done any remote off-roading. I don't run my tires bald (brand new Michelins) and I watch where I drive. Just an effort to save mpg and my frowning stock leafs. Might pop the spare on for good after I get the wheelers 5-pack

 

the stock donut tire is the same OD as a stock size tire setup. so this wouldnt happen. (every suby i have had has always had the same size (OD) as the factory tires.

 

I thought it looked ugly too hanging down with my bumper. My solution? I have this weird thing on my truck called a bed, and I just set my spare in it.

I do need to get a 33 in tire though, my spare is factory (what is it, 31?) and a 15 inch rim. So if I get a flat on the front I'll have to rotate the tires because the 15 inch rim won't fit over my tundra calipers lol

 

Donuts are usually rated for 50/50. That's up to 50 miles at up to 50 mph. It's not really a secret, it's usually stamped all over them/in the manual etc. They're a very temp fix to get you where you can be actually fixed. That doesn't stop some people from driving on the interstate for a year on them, and then complaining when things go badly.

 

yep, i had a co worker do just that. 6 months on that tire, when i looked at it last it was bald and showing cords. it ended up blowing out and taking her inner fender well out and she was pissed. I told her flat out that she was stupid for not getting a new tire lol

 

If you are running 33" diameter tires, then you SHOULD carry a spare that is the same diameter. Pretty simple.

A smaller spare tire will work for short distances, to get you to a shop, but not preferable. Kinda like the 'donut' spares that come with most cars these days.

 

smaller tire will work just fine, open diffs.. obviously dont drive it like that for months or at +100mph and you will be ok..

to OP it doesnt look ugly, a truck that gets stranded because of a flat tire is ugly... keep it on there until you get a new/used full sized spare..

/thread

 

This is your fix VVVV

 

Shoulda got a singout bumper...



Same bumper powdercoated and installed



& modified Trailgear rear with swingout

 

I've got a 33" spare but don't carry a Hi-lift to change it out so it's just for the extra weight in the winter. That reminds me........

 

I have looked at the spare tire carrier on my 98 and think I might remove it completely and replace it with one of those old racks from a gm or chevy. That would stuff the spare up tight against the box, a 33 should fit, and then use the winch at one end to lower the carrier should I actually need to use the correct size spare. Another project for when the snow leaves in june.

 

Buy a swingout mount, Baja bed mount,,or carry hammock supplies. By that I mean a come-along or chain binder, tire width hold down straps or short HD straps.

For a rear flat,,, you sling the empty axle like a hammock, pulling it up tight so it transfers weight to the other side. Put a couple (or all) of the lug nuts tight against the brake drum for axle end protection,,,bingo,,,3 wheel yoder,,go slow. The taller the tire,,the better for the Hammock trick. Have done it with a 96 tacoma with 33's and no lift (sawzall'd fenders). We drove it carefully back home 45 miles like that.

For the independent front,,well,, your SOL. The Hammock trick wont work. Your option against that is to transfer a good rear to the flat front, then Hammock that rear axle. Bunch of work in my opinion.

I always carry a plug kit and compressor, for the easy fixes.

It's only gonna take one time stuck waaay out in the tooly's to realize that the spare is needed.