Introducing full size spare into the rotation

[wrcsixeight]

I have about 600 miles on a set of Kumho Sat kl61's So far I like them. I stepped up a size from LT235 75 15 to 30 x 9.5 x 15.

My Spare tire is a 10+ year old standard load Michelin LTX MS in the 235 75 15 size. It is on the same size rim as all my other tires. It has not seen asphalt for 8+ years and I do not trust it. It is going to be replaced, soon.

I thinking about getting another SAT kl 61 and putting it on the spare and introducing it into the rotation

Obviously I want the same size tires as all my others, and while the SAT kl61's are not the cheapest available tire, they are not that much more expensive than the cheapest.

Now I could just get a used 30 x 9.5 x 15 and have a more than adequate spare for much less dinero, but I'm thinking if I introduce another sat kl61 into the mix and rotate it into the mix regularly, I can get more life out of all my tires, and have a capable spare for if/ when I decide to return to Baja.

I have no issues rotating my tires myself as often as necessary or going to DT for them to do it. If I do this with another SAt kl 61, how often should I rotate and bring the spare tire in to the mix?

BTW we had our first significant rain since I've owned these tires. I was intentionally hitting deeper puddles at higher speeds and can say hydroplaning was not a concern, and wet traction on Southern California's oily, unwashed roads was surprisingly good.

 

[AstroTurf]

I run a 5 tire rotation.
I rotate them every 5,000 miles.
I run straight to the front, and cross to the back.
The left front tire goes to the spare position and the spare position goes to the right rear.

I like the practice, and would never go back to a 4 tire rotation.

Good Luck, Jim

 

[HTSS_TR]

AstroTurf is using the right rotation pattern for a rear or 4-wheel drive car/SUV.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=43&affiliate=FH3

 

[ahoier]

I'm all for bringing the spare into the equation when it comes to rotating....as far as your rotating schedule....all depends on you and how you drive.

Typically though, I think most manufacturers are recommended every 6-8k or every other oil change (if you follow the 3k oil changes...)

 

[spasm3]

i just rotate front to rear, i don't cross. I keep them rolling in the same direction.

 

[wrcsixeight]

One thing I just remembered is 2 of my rims are the same size, but aftermarket, and might have a slightly different offset, and definitely weigh different.

SO, I have been keeping the two aftermarket rims either both on the front, or both on the rear. The rim that the spare tire is currently on is the exact same as the rims currently on my front wheels. So really, I will be introducing 1 spare into the rotation of only 2 of the tires.

I got 65 k+ miles out of my last set of tires and they had at least half the tread left and all wore very evenly. I did not really rotate those very often and they all wore very evenly. Other than high speed aired down washboard driving on occasion I have to say I am pretty easy on tires as I do not corner fast, accelerate hard, or brake late and hard nor turn the steering wheel unless in motion.

 

[The motor guy]

I don't see anything wrong with a 10 year old spare unless you're are going to actually use it regulary. The sun does the most deterioration in my opinion.

 

[wrcsixeight]

There is a chance I will return to Baja. I will not trust a 10 year old spare down there. More than inconvenience could be involved.

 

[CapriRacer]

A couple of thoughts:

Rotation: The actual pattern used is not as important as rotation taking place. Put a different way, if the importance of rotating tires is a "10", then the pattern is a "3".

5 tire rotation is a good idea if you can do it. Obviously this extends the time between changing tire by 25%.

And since rotating tire can extend the life of a tire by up to 15%, you need to consider this when deciding what to do.

Tire age is important regardless of how much wear is on the tires. There are 5 states that all the tire manufacturers look at as problem states for tire aging - AZ, CA, NV, TX, and FL.

Notice that they are all in the Southwest - the hottest part of the US - except for FL. Florida is unique because it is warm year round. While FL doesn't get as hot as AZ does in the summer, AZ gets cold in the winter, where FL doesn't.

I think those 5 states need to use a 6 year limitation on tires - and the coldest states need to use 10 years - and states in between are ....ah..... in between.

 

[Ramblin Fever]

I have a 4yr old spare tire, bought brand-new, is already dry-rotted horribly. This tire is mounted to the back of the tailgate and sees a lot of sun, I'm in Colorado and wouldn't dare use this tire as a spare.

Problem is, this is the factory storage place for a spare tire to be attached to the truck, but the last spare lasted at least 6yrs before rotting out.

Won't buy a firestone a/t tire again.

I lived in NV, and had grandparents in Yuma, AZ....you're right, typical tire life out there is only about 4-5yrs.

The minivan we inherited from my grandfather had tires that were only 3yrs old, 2 of them blew out driving it up here to Colorado.

In search of a new spare tire again!

 

[Colt45ws]

Can you put a cover on it?

 

[MNgopher]

+1 to that. Relatives in Colorado have a vehicle with an exterior mounted spare. The old spare lasted for 6 years with a cover and went into rotation at the last tire change. The cover tore, went in the trash, and now the repalcement spare is shot 2 1/2 years later. (But the cover is too much of a hassle to replace...). The sun is brutal in Colorado...