Spare Tire Question

[back2lumby]

Anther question about spare tire sizes and hoping to hear everyone's thoughts. I'm running 275/70/R18 which I understand to be the biggest that will fit the spare location. Great but I'm not the only one who doesn't love how far it hangs down below the bumper.

So my question is, why not run the same diameter spare but with a smaller width? I understand that running a smaller diameter is a no-go for our AWD system but would the width matter here? Seems like this is a great solution to lack of rear ground clearance under the spare and I'm surprised it hasn't been suggested.

Thoughts?

 

[Markarian421]

In theory, as a temporary spare that could work. But what tire exists that’s the same diameter as a 275/70R18 but isn’t as wide? This is already possibly the most narrow tire you can buy with this diameter.

 

[NoMe cruiser]

Yeah there just aren’t many options in 245 or 255 for the 18” rim that are 33”+ in diameter unless you down grade to a 17” rim. Seeing how narrow tires are generally superior off road I would think that industry will have more options in the next couple of years.

 

[Blue Bear]

Anther question about spare tire sizes and hoping to hear everyone's thoughts. I'm running 275/70/R18 which I understand to be the biggest that will fit the spare location. Great but I'm not the only one who doesn't love how far it hangs down below the bumper.

So my question is, why not run the same diameter spare but with a smaller width? I understand that running a smaller diameter is a no-go for our AWD system but would the width matter here? Seems like this is a great solution to lack of rear ground clearance under the spare and I'm surprised it hasn't been suggested.

Thoughts?

Your issue is one of the reasons I went with the 255/80R17 AT4W Wildpeak. My new spare is 1/2" thinner than the 265/60R20 that came as OEM.

You don't mention what kind of tires you put on the LC. Can you share that info?

The closest you can probably get is a 265/70R18, which is slightly smaller to the tune of 10 revs/mile difference. If you were willing to get a 17" steelie to tuck underneath your truck, then you could put on a 255/80R17 which is nearly identical in size (with just 1 rev/mile difference). This is the size on my truck and works great. It'd look just like any other normal spare tire in use. And, it'd be almost an inch thinner than your 275s and would fit without any rubbing front or back.

 

[back2lumby]

Your issue is one of the reasons I went with the 255/80R17 AT4W Wildpeak. My new spare is 1/2" thinner than the 265/60R20 that came as OEM.

You don't mention what kind of tires you put on the LC. Can you share that info?

The closest you can probably get is a 265/70R18, which is slightly smaller to the tune of 10 revs/mile difference. If you were willing to get a 17" steelie to tuck underneath your truck, then you could put on a 255/80R17 which is nearly identical in size (with just 1 rev/mile difference). This is the size on my truck and works great. It'd look just like any other normal spare tire in use. And, it'd be almost an inch thinner than your 275s and would fit without any rubbing front or back.

255/80R17 is a great suggestion. Thank you!

 

[Blue Bear]

255/80R17 is a great suggestion. Thank you!

The 255 is also narrower than stock, so it gives a little better clearance for departure angle, too.

 

[RideWithYanu]

Anther question about spare tire sizes and hoping to hear everyone's thoughts. I'm running 275/70/R18 which I understand to be the biggest that will fit the spare location. Great but I'm not the only one who doesn't love how far it hangs down below the bumper.

So my question is, why not run the same diameter spare but with a smaller width? I understand that running a smaller diameter is a no-go for our AWD system but would the width matter here? Seems like this is a great solution to lack of rear ground clearance under the spare and I'm surprised it hasn't been suggested.

Thoughts?

285/70R17 fits fine in the spare location, though it does reduce departure angle a bit. But in those situations where I’m concerned about departure angle the spare would probably be in the back cargo area or up on the roof anyway.

 

[dobermancruiser]

285/70R17 fits fine in the spare location, though it does reduce departure angle a bit. But in those situations where I’m concerned about departure angle the spare would probably be in the back cargo area or up on the roof anyway.

I'm knee deep in this right now. Will the 285/70r17 fit in the spare location without modification? I've seen places where they say it won't, but I like your answer better. I just want to be sure that I understand your answer.

 

[ramoftherose]

I'm knee deep in this right now. Will the 285/70r17 fit in the spare location without modification? I've seen places where they say it won't, but I like your answer better. I just want to be sure that I understand your answer.

Did you ever get an answer for this? I’m in the same boat

 

[LCOceans]

I'm now running 285/75/18 on all 4 and just left my 265/70 (stock) as my spare for short term emergency.

 

[dobermancruiser]

Did you ever get an answer for this? I’m in the same boat

I ended up doing what LCOceans did and left the stock spare. The rotational difference was minor. The tire shop said I'd be fine without replacing it. I've read in other places that if I decide to add the spare it will fit. Not sure about LCOceans 285/75/18, that's a smidge larger.

 

[SlickLC]

i run a 285/65/18 which is the same diameter as stock 265/70/18. the only difference is width.

 

[Altitude]

Narrower width would work fine.

I think the ethos of the spare tire in off-road vehicles is that it’s equivalent to the primary tires and therefore totally interchangeable in a moment of need.

But technically and practically, your approach works.

 

[basicxj]

Narrower width would work fine.

I think the ethos of the spare tire in off-road vehicles is that it’s equivalent to the primary tires and therefore totally interchangeable in a moment of need.

But technically and practically, your approach works.

^^ this

Having a dissimilar spare means no five tire rotation also.

 

[250 Lc]

Looks like I am in the same boat.

I have 285/65/18 and 265/60/20. The primary difference is width.

265/60-20	285/65-18	Difference
Diameter inches (mm)	32.52 (826)	32.59 (827.7)	0.07 (1.7) 0.2%
Width inches (mm)	10.43 (265)	11.22 (285)	0.79 (20) 7.5%
Circum. inches (mm)	102.16 (2594.96)	102.37 (2600.3)	0.21 (5.34) 0.2%
Sidewall Height inches (mm)	6.26 (159)	7.29 (185.25)	1.03 (26.25) 16.5%
Revolutions per mile (km)	620.18 (385.36)	618.91 (384.57)	-1.27 (-0.79) -0.2%

 

[Brando]

Has anyone used a 235/80-18 as a spare? I just saw Nitto has that size in the G3. I’m going Witt those in 275/70-18 when I wear these out and that spare would be pretty good. Better than the 265/70-18 I was gonna use.

 

[LCOceans]

I am still running 285/75/18 with my spare being the 265/70/18 stock for emergency only and just to get to place where I can get a new tire or fix.
I did pick up the ARB tire repair kit and just heard about the GlueTread Tire repair kit - for sidewall damage and more advanced repairs. But I would sure prefer to a have a matching spare. I think a swing-out carrier on bumper is what I will end up with one day.

 

[Markarian421]

Has anyone used a 235/80-18 as a spare? I just saw Nitto has that size in the G3. I’m going Witt those in 275/70-18 when I wear these out and that spare would be pretty good. Better than the 265/70-18 I was gonna use.

Why wouldn't you just use a fifth 275/70R18 tire as a spare?