Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Buy a Real Spare Tire?
Old 09-08-2011, 09:54 AM   #1
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
TromboneAl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,880
Buy a Real Spare Tire?

Anyone replace their toy spare tire with a real one? The payoff would come if you have a blowout in a very remote location. With a real tire, you could avoid driving a long distance at low speed.

OTOH, that's a pretty unlikely scenario.
TromboneAl is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 09-08-2011, 09:55 AM   #2
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
REWahoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,004
Do you have room? The holding area for mini-spares is usually too small to hold a full-size spare.
__________________
Numbers is hard
REWahoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 09:55 AM   #3
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
travelover's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,328
Sometimes a full size spare won't fit in the location allotted to a mini spare. Otherwise, a good idea - used to be an option on some new cars.
travelover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 09:56 AM   #4
Administrator
MichaelB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,586
Does a full size tire fit in the spare tire well in most cars?
MichaelB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 09:58 AM   #5
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 17,205
No... most trunks are not designed for the full sized spare and would take up most of your space...


I don't plan for something that happens less than once every 25 years... and I have never had a flat where it would be of any benefit... I have had a number of flats, just close to a place to get it fixed. Never a blowout...
Texas Proud is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 10:09 AM   #6
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
TromboneAl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,880
I think it would fit.

The local tire place said a new wheel would cost $50.

My temporary tire is now 10 years old, so technically, it should be replaced.

So, let's say the next time I get a set of tires, I buy a new wheel, and get five tires instead of four. If I rotate the spare into the mix every time I do the rotation, the five tires will last longer, so there's zero additional tire cost. I'll only have to do four jack-ups per rotation instead of five.

In that case the only disadvantages are $50 initial cost, insignificantly more weight, and less space in the spare tire compartment.
TromboneAl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 10:17 AM   #7
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
REWahoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,004
Quote:
Originally Posted by TromboneAl View Post
So, let's say the next time I get a set of tires, I buy a new wheel, and get five tires instead of four. If I rotate the spare into the mix every time I do the rotation, the five tires will last longer, so there's zero additional tire cost.
How many years do you estimate you will go before needing a new set of tires? If the response is more than 6 years or so, I'd be concerned about age deterioration (yes, both the tires and you ).

A few months ago I was getting a new battery installed at Wally World and wandered around the tire racks reading date codes while I waited. Even though the store is less than three years old, some of their "new" tires were made four years earlier.

I've made it a practice to refuse to purchase tires more than six months old.
__________________
Numbers is hard
REWahoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 10:24 AM   #8
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
calmloki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Independence
Posts: 7,281
two words:
junk
yard
calmloki is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 10:25 AM   #9
Full time employment: Posting here.
sailor's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Atlanta suburbs
Posts: 898
Al,
see if there are any junkyards around. When my FIL lost a spare in his pickup (the holding cable corroded) I went to a local pull-a-part place and got a wheel with tire for $13.
sailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 10:28 AM   #10
gone traveling
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 3,851
Overeat and you can get a spare tire for free (I hear beer is good for this)
rescueme is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 10:32 AM   #11
Moderator Emeritus
Ronstar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 16,543
I think I would stick with the space saver spare. IMO, its just as good as a full size spare in the rare instance of a flat tire. (i would not think a space saver would need to be replaced because its 10 years old unless it has a problem) Also, I would not want to sacrifice trunk space.
Ronstar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 10:46 AM   #12
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Naples
Posts: 2,179
Quote:
Originally Posted by TromboneAl View Post
I think it would fit.

The local tire place said a new wheel would cost $50.

My temporary tire is now 10 years old, so technically, it should be replaced.

So, let's say the next time I get a set of tires, I buy a new wheel, and get five tires instead of four. If I rotate the spare into the mix every time I do the rotation, the five tires will last longer, so there's zero additional tire cost. I'll only have to do four jack-ups per rotation instead of five.

In that case the only disadvantages are $50 initial cost, insignificantly more weight, and less space in the spare tire compartment.
You would have to check this out Al. Just had my tires rotated yesterday. If you are familiar with steel belted radials, you should never switch tires from side to side. The only recommended rotation is front-to-back and back-to-front every 5k to 6k miles. Then repeat the same rotation. Todays tires will give you 40-50k miles at least. There is always the disclaimer "depending on your driving habits".
JOHNNIE36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 10:54 AM   #13
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,008
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronstar View Post
I think I would stick with the space saver spare. IMO, its just as good as a full size spare in the rare instance of a flat tire. (i would not think a space saver would need to be replaced because its 10 years old unless it has a problem) Also, I would not want to sacrifice trunk space.
I'm already being told that I run the risk of rubber dry rot on my tires on a 2003. I only have 33k miles with plenty of tread left. I'd imagine the same goes for a space saver tire too.
Dimsumkid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 11:17 AM   #14
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,842
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dimsumkid View Post
I'm already being told that I run the risk of rubber dry rot on my tires on a 2003. I only have 33k miles with plenty of tread left. I'd imagine the same goes for a space saver tire too.
Wouldn't this same issue apply to the mini-spare making it more likely to fail?
__________________
But then what do I really know?

https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f44/why-i-believe-we-are-about-to-embark-on-a-historic-bull-market-run-101268.html
Running_Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 11:18 AM   #15
Moderator Emeritus
Ronstar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 16,543
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dimsumkid

I'm already being told that I run the risk of rubber dry rot on my tires on a 2003. I only have 33k miles with plenty of tread left. I'd imagine the same goes for a space saver tire too.
Thanks! I'll check DW's 2001 and see how it looks. Like everything on the web, I've found different advice. Some say that tires will deteriorate in 5 years whether or not they are driven on or not. Another says that a space saver in the trunk will last a long time because it's not being driven on or receiving uv rays.
Ronstar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 11:25 AM   #16
Recycles dryer sheets
Col. Klink's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Citrus Hills
Posts: 235
I would stick with the emergency spare and then consider either putting a 12 vdc emergency air pump or a can of Fix-A-Flat in the trunk. These will get you going for a leak and you can avoid a roadside change altogether in most cases. If you have a blowout, call for a tow because you may have damaged the car brake, tie rods, etc and should have it inspected.
Col. Klink is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 12:14 PM   #17
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
I had to get a full sized spare for the minivan when we started towing because towing on a donut won't work. Its a real nuisance because the tire fits nowhere except in the cargo area/trunk at the back of the van where it takes up valuable real estate. I would not bother with a full size spare for your purposes, Al.
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

- George Orwell

Ezekiel 23:20
brewer12345 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 12:32 PM   #18
Recycles dryer sheets
naggz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 124
Quote:
Originally Posted by brewer12345 View Post
I had to get a full sized spare for the minivan when we started towing because towing on a donut won't work. Its a real nuisance because the tire fits nowhere except in the cargo area/trunk at the back of the van where it takes up valuable real estate. I would not bother with a full size spare for your purposes, Al.
Could you fit the full-sized spare on the towed unit, and keep the regular spare (donut) in the mini-van?
naggz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 12:37 PM   #19
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
Quote:
Originally Posted by naggz View Post
Could you fit the full-sized spare on the towed unit, and keep the regular spare (donut) in the mini-van?
The trailer has its own spare that occupies the only vailable spot to put one.

By next spring I will have acquired a new tow vehicle which will likely have its own full size spare, so this will no longer be an issue.
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

- George Orwell

Ezekiel 23:20
brewer12345 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2011, 12:38 PM   #20
Recycles dryer sheets
naggz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 124
The last time I needed to use my spare tire for my Grand Am, I was amazed at the what I read (can't remember if it was in the manual, or on the tire itself). If I recall correctly, the tire could be used for 800 km (500 miles) at 90 KPH (55 MPH).

500 miles before a tire shop is very remote, even for up here in Canada.
naggz is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How Do I Buy My Mom's House So It Won't Be Considered Her Asset for Medicaid? nico08 FIRE and Money 41 09-10-2011 09:26 PM
Are real estate stocks low now? GregLee Active Investing, Market Strategies & Alternative Assets 13 08-31-2011 08:09 PM
Buy individual shares or open a mutual fund for minor? 01drummer FIRE and Money 1 06-30-2011 10:26 AM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:06 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.