How many times have you used the spare tire?

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by TomW

Don't forget to check your spare tire's pressure at least once a season.

My Interstate's spare tire is stored underneath, between the rear axle and the rear bumper, just like on a lot of vans and pickups.

Earlier this year, I added a valve extension for the spare tire, set up so the stem fitting bolts to the rear bumper within easy reach. Now I can check— and inflate— my Interstate's spare without ever crawling underneath.

Wheel Masters® spare tire inflation system, with the braided stainless steel cover on the hose. About 50 bucks (the rubber one without the braided steel cover is cheaper) but well worth the price considering how hard it is to access the spare otherwise, especially with my arthritic knees.

[Tarheel]

twice on my first trip out. Over a 12 year period I have used the spare at least 6 different times probably more and none of the tires were over 5 years of age and all had good tire pressure before going flat.

[Tarheel]

just wanted to see if the signature revision occured

[carl2591]

here's a novel idea..

how about putting tmps sensors like are installed on newer vehicles. upgrading or modifying the on board system to monitor the sensors you installed in the trailer tires.

just a thought..

[Tarheel]

I put pressure pro sensors on my trailer and truck and they worked good. They did not prevent me from having some false readings. I had the first generation of the pressure pros and I am certain they are more reliable now. I had one tire sensor that would give me false readings from time to time, which I could not duplicate at home, I had a flat on the interstate and the sensor did not alarm. Later I had a tire throw a tread, I happened to see it occur while looking out the sideview mirror. This tire did not lose air but did desroy the wheel well and the big side panel doing damage of over $6K. I feel like the newer generation of tire monitors will give even more protection than the older ones did and I would want to have them installed when pulling the do give an added level or assurance.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Update since last post...

Nail in curbside rear on "Cloudsplitter".

Bob

[ZoominC6]

Three times in nine years and always Goodyear Marathons. We've been running Carlisles for four years and are now on our second set with no issues to date....knock wood!

[switz]

I picked up a screw in the Mercedes right rear tire at the first 50 mile stop to check wheel lug bolt torque on the way home with the new trailer. When I got to the next stop, a rest area, and came out of the restroom the right rear was slowly lowering to the ground.

Since the donut spare could not carry the load, the right front had to come off and get the donut. Then that tire went on the rear. I drove 50 miles one way back into LA to a Costco to get the flat tire fixed. Then they did the musical tire drill in reverse.

When I switched the Airstream to Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires, I also put one on the steel spare wheel. I always replace vehicle tires long before the wear bars are on the ground to preclude hydro-planning in the rain. Since time will be the factor instead of miles, I will consider the trailer tires eligible for replacement in four years or sooner depending on weather checking as the trailer is stored under roof in the Phoenix area desert heat.

[Beginner]

Twice, both times to replace failed failed ST tires. I have not had a moments problem since replacing those junk tires with BF Goodrich Commercial T/A LT tires in 16 inch.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, my Lincoln is 13 years old and my Safari is over 8 years old and I have never used either spare yet, but I wouldn't go without one.

[Gene]

Bob, I go long, long periods without using a spare and then it hits and hits. Beware, you have gone too long. A nail is in your future.

Gene

[dalemonroe]

We put some 205C 14 Kumho 857 tires on the trailer. They have a load rating of 2270 lbs each at 65 psi. They will only be carrying 1550 lbs each. What pressure should I carry in the tires? The original Marathons were inflated to 50 psi.

[jspafford]

One blowout on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Roanoke on our very first trip bringing Silvia home from PA in 2009. This experience reinforced the value of double axles. It also was our first hard lesson in learning about how the trailer wheels track wider than the TV wheels.

We limped 300 yards to a service station where a helpful young man and his surly dog solved our problem for $20. Replaced the spare the next day.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Gene

Bob, I go long, long periods without using a spare and then it hits and hits. Beware, you have gone too long. A nail is in your future.

Gene

Hi, Gene; I had one flat tire on my Lincoln and it was in front of my house. I jacked it up, put the flat in my other car, and took it to the dealer for a quick free fix. I noticed two tires on my trailer with sidewall bubbles and replaced them in my driveway. The other two tires on my trailer started to separate during my Alaska trip; They were replaced at the closest tire store. [spares never used]

[Gene]

So, Bob, you are blessed with tires that fail when it is convenient for you. I've had a lot of cars like that—when something goes wrong, it is almost always in my driveway.

I have never used the Tundra spare (fixed a truck tire myself in remote Chicken, Alaska) and a screw in a trailer tire leaked ever so slowly for a couple of thousand miles and I finally drove into a tire shop and got it repaired in Homer, Alaska. I've had one or two slow leaks at home where I did the same thing—pulled it off and threw it in the other vehicle, got it fixed, brought it back, put it back on. So, I don't think I've used a spare except to rotate tires since the '90's or even longer ago.

So, if you are lucky, you don't need a spare, but I never go anywhere without one either. When towing, also a compressor and a tire repair kit. People say those plugs aren't the best for tire repair, but the one I put in the truck tire in Alaska has been fine ever since—got to be several 10's of thousands of miles. I've used them before without a problem too.

So I guess I may be ready for using the spare too.

Gene

[JFScheck]

Drove 500 plus miles returning to my home trailer storage area. As I was pulling into the storage lot struck a rock that was on the edge of the "grass and pavement" and tore a hole in the sidewall.

Swapped spare, towed final 200 feet and parked my "Twinks". Purchased new tire and swapped back out...

Damages sidewall & Tire Change due to "Evil Rock" with pics....