Upgrading all-terrain tires, spare tire update?

Hi all I'm about to pull the trigger on some all terrain tires on my 2023 1794.

For those of you who put a more aggressive set on but the same size... did you also update your spare with the same tread? On my 4 runner I had a full size matching spare but I noticed my spare on the new Tundra isn't the same brand as the factory tires anyway.

What did you do?

 

I thought about how many times I have had a flat since I started driving and how long the spare was on the ground when I needed it. Concluded that all I need is something that holds air and is the oem size. I have always gotten flats fixed within a few days so no need to spend money on a matching tire. If you end up putting a larger diameter tire on in the future then a same size spare could be important to avoid damage to the drivetrain.

 

I went up a few sizes so I also purchased a 5th tire to have a matching spare. If you're not changing sizes, then I wouldn't bother with a matching spare. That's just me. I never did on my Taco or my 4Runner since I kept the same size. On both vehicles, I put BFG KO2s on but kept whatever factory highway tread spare came with the truck.

The only reason I could see doing it would be if you wanted to incorporate your spare into your tire rotations. Some people do. I don't, but that's mostly because I'm lazy. haha

 

I'm going from stock highway to KO2s but the same stock size of 265 60 20. You are right that the spare will probably never see the light of day and even if it does its for a few miles.

 

Did your updated tire size on your tundra fit where the spare is?

 

Yes. Because I went up a couple of sizes. I went to a set of 295/70/18 Cooper Evo M/Ts so I got a set of 5 to have a matching spare. If I stayed at the OE size, I would not have purchased a 5th tire for a matching spare.

 

If you offroad and expect you might get a flat somewhere remote, I would think you might want a matching spare. If I was on a trail that was gnarly enough to give me a flat on my normal tires then I would think I would want my spare to be at least as stout, not just some all season tire, so that it can get me back out without also going flat.

This would apply regardless of size though. Even if you stayed the stock size but went to a more aggressive offroad tire that you intended to flog.

 

Buy a 5th matching wheel and slap a tire and TPMS on it.

Rotate all 5, extending the life of all of them and putting them all to use. It also prevents your "spare" from just sitting under the truck and rotting, never to be checked on, until you need it and by then, it's too late.

 

I wish I had done this. I bought 5 KO2's in 2019 and my spare has sat untouched under the truck ever since. I do drop it and check the air but that's it. I'll replace it when it starts to dry rot.

 

i've upsized a couple times now and am considering calling a tire shop to buy their cheapest piece of garbage new tire that fits my wheel as my spare. I don't have a garage so while i rotate my tires its not done as religiously as some do and there is no way in hell i'd be going through the hassle of incorporating a 5th tire in the rotation.

 

Same thing happened on my 4runner. Rotating all is a good idea but I also suppose that 98 percent of the time if i cut a tire it's highway and I usually plug it anyway and on my way. Thanks everyone! A few things to think about that I hadn't before...

 

Wow, so to confirm, your upsized Cooper Evo M/T that measures 34.3" in diameter fit in the spare tire well underneath the truck with no issues?

 

Yes.

 

I see no need to upgrade the spare. To me the spare is just to get me home or the tire store. The money I saved not having to buy a matching spare would go towards a new tire or tires (depending on wear) or to fix the one that just went flat.

 

On the flip side, you can extended the life of the 4 on the vehicle by putting it into rotation, rather than rotting under the truck.

Also makes a difference if the wheels on the truck are different offset than stock and different tire size. You can't throw the stock spare in the front, 1000 miles from nowhere, towing a trailer on a gravel road.

 

True, but you would need matching wheel if you want to rotate.

 

Or, another benefit of a matching spare that I've experienced personally: If you have a non-repairable flat on a roadtrip and the few tire shops in the nearest small town either 1) Don't carry your size OR 2) Don't carry a matching brand & style thus forcing you to have to purchase 2 tires instead of 1 so you can have matching tread on that axle.

A matching spare is like cheap insurance. Sure, you could go your entire life without using it. However, if you find yourself in a situation where you need it, you're gonna be pissed you didn't spend the extra $200 to $300 to have it. I'm not much of a gambler, so I just spend the money. That's just me.

 

Which is what I did and many do.

If you do it at the same time as the other 4 and you have the funds, it makes sense. All tires get used and all will wear out at the same rate over the years.

 

My spare is the factory spare and is the same size as my running tires just different brand and tread pattern. I don't think I would have a problem getting back home if I get a flat that was unrepairable even if I was 3000 miles from home.

 

I got 5 wheels and 5 tires. Mine are 34" with a different offset from OE. I didn't want to do any damage to the differentials by running a different size tire. I expect that there is some slippage in the differentials but if I have to run on the spare for a while, I really see the potential.

Only thing that I wish I had done is getting a TPMS sensor installed so I can rotate all 5 and wear them all.

 

I guess you missed where we've discussed having different sizes than the OEM spare?

 

I guess I did, but OP wanted to know what others have done when they put more aggressive tires on of the same size as the spare but the spare does not the same tread pattern. For me that's no big deal, I can live with it as a temporary measure.