Check your spare tire lately?

[jljbtm]

Well I'm glad I took it out to check the air pressure because it was low (only 19#). But I'm also glad I took it out at home because I had to find all the rods and jack stuff under the pass. seat, then figure out how to use it all. After 100,000 miles that tire is real dirty and rusty. I'm glad I didn't need it on the road like that.

 

[Cbty2050]

What did you expect the tire to look like after being in the elements? Looks like a perfectly fine emergency use spare tire.

 

[mikeru82]

It's good to know how to use all that and to keep your spare tire aired up. It's also good to keep the tire winch in good repair as well. But who cares what it looks like?

 

[Jako]

Well I'm glad I took it out to check the air pressure because it was low (only 19#). But I'm also glad I took it out at home because I had to find all the rods and jack stuff under the pass. seat, then figure out how to use it all. After 100,000 miles that tire is real dirty and rusty. I'm glad I didn't need it on the road like that.

The spare will disintegrate in time without some care. That is based on my experience and conditions and I am sure others will vary. I drop it with tire rotations or oil changes, spray the cable with some wd 40 or similar, give it a wash and some wax and even touched up the rust with some spray. I'd take pictures of an almost 6 year old spare but the dealer has it. I neglected my 2001 spare and are taking preventive measures now.

Good idea to lube the doors, hood and such at the same time.

 

[Jako]

I keep my vehicles for the long haul, still have my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 and the spare has deteriorated beyond a useable condition. The spare on my 2019 has been touched up with spray paint previously and is in need for another refresh.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Well I'm glad I took it out to check the air pressure because it was low (only 19#). But I'm also glad I took it out at home because I had to find all the rods and jack stuff under the pass. seat, then figure out how to use it all. After 100,000 miles that tire is real dirty and rusty. I'm glad I didn't need it on the road like that.

Probably shouldn't have waited 100k miles before you figured out where your tools are located and how to lower your spare. It's also a good idea to check your spare tire regularly to make sure the pressure is good, and the winch is in good shape. The last thing you'd want with a blowout is to find out your spare tire doesn't have any air in it. And the only person you can blame for that is yourself.

 

[Willwork4truck]

I dropped mine after 3 months and it was at 35#. It's installed upside down so cant get to it to air.
I left it in the bed (under the tri-fold) for easy access for another 6 months but it takes up too much room with the 5'7" bed, so back underneath it went.
It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the under front passenger seat jack and tools location as well as how to assemble the thing and find the hole in the bumper.
What I didn't want to do was have a flat at night and be trying to figure out how to get it down.

 

[Jako]

Found this post from January 18, 2020 (spare had been in service a little over 2 years), in the thread

M

Thread 'OEM LED reverse lights are absolutely terrible...what have you guys done to address this?'

Oct 10, 2019

I pulled a tail light out just to make sure I couldn't change any bulbs, and I can't... What have you guys done to address this? It's almost like there's no reverse lights.

• mac1983620
• Replies: 45
• Forum: Exterior

"Lower the spare onto a dolly if available. It was good practice and examination showed rust (10/18 build) not happy. Cleaned it up and gave it a coat of polish till warmer weather. Paint or rust preventer?"


Don't want my spare deteriorating like this one:

How to Neutralize and Remove Road Salt to Prevent Rust

The best way to prevent road salt damage is with regular washings throughout the winter combined with applying a road salt neutralizer first.

www.eastwood.com

 

[FastBlackRam]

I dropped mine after 3 months and it was at 35#. It's installed upside down so cant get to it to air.
I left it in the bed (under the tri-fold) for easy access for another 6 months but it takes up too much room with the 5'7" bed, so back underneath it went.
It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the under front passenger seat jack and tools location as well as how to assemble the thing and find the hole in the bumper.
What I didn't want to do was have a flat at night and be trying to figure out how to get it down.

lol you can use a valve extender so you can air it a little easier without lowering it.

 

[HSKR R/T]

lol you can use a valve extender so you can air it a little easier without lowering it.

Or drop it, flip it over so valve stem point down. Of course then you are at risk of road debris being kicked up and hitting the, now exposed, valve stem and damaging it.

 

[Willwork4truck]

lol you can use a valve extender so you can air it a little easier without lowering it.

Thats quite true.
I just drop it every 6 months to find the tools and clean it off, that's when I check it. As I get fatter and lazier, maybe I will just leave it in the bed again.

 

[stronbl]

Found this thread ... thanks ... now I have some questions. I have a 2020 Limited 1500 ecodiesel and my spare is the OEM spare that came with the truck. But it is an 18 in wheel and my stock wheels are 20 in. Am I asking for trouble if I ever need to use this spare? I would hope it is only a short travel distance to a tire shop but you never really know. I was thinking about getting a 20 in wheel and mount my Michelin Defender LTX's 275 / 55 R20 so my spare would be the same as my running tires. Anyone know of concerns or issues I should be aware of before I spend the money? Thanks in advance.

 

[FLiPMaRC]

I think the spare tire is 255/70R18. It's only 5mm taller than your 275/55R20.

From what people on the forums told me, your main concern is the spare tire itself is a "temporary" tire, and not a regular tire.

I've been thinking about ordering this to replace the spare "temporary" tire ... Used 275/65R18 Nitto Crosstek 2 116T - 9/32 | Utires

 

[Scram1500]

I just dropped my spare and you don't need the tool from under the seat, a 12 point 13mm socket will fit the square in the mechanism. Then you can use a power tool to expedite the process

 

[mikeru82]

Found this thread ... thanks ... now I have some questions. I have a 2020 Limited 1500 ecodiesel and my spare is the OEM spare that came with the truck. But it is an 18 in wheel and my stock wheels are 20 in. Am I asking for trouble if I ever need to use this spare? I would hope it is only a short travel distance to a tire shop but you never really know. I was thinking about getting a 20 in wheel and mount my Michelin Defender LTX's 275 / 55 R20 so my spare would be the same as my running tires. Anyone know of concerns or issues I should be aware of before I spend the money? Thanks in advance.

It’s not wheel size that matters, it’s the outer tire diameter that you really care about. Compare the tire sizes using any of the many online tire size calculators out there.

 

[Jako]

I just dropped my spare and you don't need the tool from under the seat, a 12 point 13mm socket will fit the square in the mechanism. Then you can use a power tool to expedite the process

I opt to use the Ram jack shaft but purchased a 5/16" square head set screw that fits in the jack shaft. Attach the drill and lower and raise with the drill. Also marked one of the 3 shafts with white electrical tape where it sits on the bumper. My extra reverse light wires hinders hitting the mark at times for the spare lowering nut.

 

[Biga]

lol you can use a valve extender so you can air it a little easier without lowering it.

I was able to air mine up without lowering it or adding an extender.