Who rotates in their spare tire?

[fdsa487]

I was wondering who rotates their spare tire in with their regular rotations as to keep all 5 tires on the same tread level? I just bought a set of 5 new tires and was thinking, if I dont end up ever using my spare (this time around) I only have to buy 4 next time. Then i was thinking say i get down to only like 25% tread life on the four that are on the vehicle and i rip a sidewall and have to put the unused spare on. Is the height difference in tread bad for the differential, front or rear?

 

[2xtreme]

I rotate in my spare. Mine have very little road use and lots of trail use. I do it for several reasons.

1. keep them the same tread/height.
2. Make them last longer.
3. I change my spare constantly (fixing other tires).
4. I have found it usefull for a trail rig.

I have not done this on any of my road vehicles (not sure why?)

Michael

 

[fizassist]

I rotate mine in, because I would like normal handling if I'm on the highway when I get a flat. It also makes the whole set last longer, and when you want a new size of tire, you don't have a now-useless non-matching spare.

 

[egon]

I rotate all 5 also. Mostly because I have LSDs front and rear, and a Select-trac. Plus the tires where expensive and I don't want to waste it sitting on my tire carrier.

--Matt

 

[gcurtis]

I rotate all 5 also. Plus the tires where expensive and I don't want to waste it sitting on my tire carrier.

--Matt

What he said.

 

[langer1]

If you DIY it will save some money, if you pay to have it done it will cost more than you save.
I don't rotate the spare, it's still new after replacing the tires 4 times.
It's the same size but a budget priced tire, I can't afford to buy 5 at a time.
Also it seem like most of the tire shops give you about 25% off for 4 tires if you want 5 the extra one is full price.

 

[Overdriven]

By rotaing 5 you had 20% more life to your tires. Each tire gets a break after so many miles.

The only time I didn't rotate all 5 was when I had an oddball spare.

Also a good idea to wear all tires evenly if you have a locker. I'm sure that would cause issues. No experince with that specific situation though so I could be full of BS on that one.

 

[fdsa487]

By rotaing 5 you had 20% more life to your tires. Each tire gets a break after so many miles.

The only time I didn't rotate all 5 was when I had an oddball spare.

Also a good idea to wear all tires evenly if you have a locker. I'm sure that would cause issues. No experince with that specific situation though so I could be full of BS on that one.

Say you have an EZ locker in the front and a Detroit Soft Locker in the back. What direction do you want to rotate your tires when you do? Just front left to rear left or front left to rear right? =)

 

[basalt51]

I didn't, but I will from now on. I have detroits front and rear and my spare is about an inch taller than the outher 4. Could be very interesting on the road if I ever need it. It would likely have to go upfront since I can unlock the hubs.

 

[2xtreme]

Say you have an EZ locker in the front and a Detroit Soft Locker in the back. What direction do you want to rotate your tires when you do? Just front left to rear left or front left to rear right? =)

I just change the spare with the tire that first de-beads its self, gets a flat, doesn't hold air well, or needs the beads cleaned. But the only street time my xj gets is on the way to and from the trail.

michael

 

[BCParker]

before I got my new tires I wished I had been rotating in my spare. I got a flat in the rear on the highway at night and due to the LSD I had to change two tires (put the spare on the front and moved the front to replace the flat.)

 

[langer1]

before I got my new tires I wished I had been rotating in my spare. I got a flat in the rear on the highway at night and due to the LSD I had to change two tires (put the spare on the front and moved the front to replace the flat.)

At least you thought you had to.

 

[ILLXJ]

I do. For all the reasons mentioned. With a lock-rite in the front & a no-slip in the back an off size tire could play hell on it. JIM.

 

[Bent]

Me 2

 

[Ramsey]

rotate my tires and one is an oddball. about .5" smaller maybe a bit more. locked front and rear. anyways rotated them and the small one was in the back and it made my jeep drive like shit and the locker was constantly clicking and ratcheting. once i get a new set off 5 tires, i will rotate them all to keep them approxametly the same size.

 

[Roxtar]

By rotaing 5 you add 20% more life to your tires. Each tire gets a break after so many miles.

The only time I didn't rotate all 5 was when I had an oddball spare.

2X
Why would it be important for you to have a "new" spare?
The only reason for that would be to allow you to only buy three new tires when they wear out (using the best "bad" tire as a spare).
That would be to assume you will buy same tires next time (unlikely).

 

[JeffsJeep04]

Who buys the same sized tire twice in a row?

If I have 5 matching, I rotate them all. If all are worn...time to go bigger

 

[Roxtar]

Who buys the same sized tire twice in a row?

If I have 5 matching, I rotate them all. If all are worn...time to go bigger

X-zackly

 

[fdsa487]

Who buys the same sized tire twice in a row?

If I have 5 matching, I rotate them all. If all are worn...time to go bigger

I like the bumper sticker that i was on a huge jeep wrangler on like 37's one time, it read:

*At a four way stop, yield to the vehicle with the biggest tires* =) I like that one.

 

[JeffsJeep04]

What if the wrangler isn't huge but still has 37's...who yields then?

aka: proof that I abide by my "must keep getting bigger tires" rule