driving with an off-sized spare wheel/tire

[Reverse]

My Limited came with 22" rims which I have replaced with 18" rims and tires. The size of these tires is slightly larger than the originals, and the spare tire.
Experienced a flat tire a while ago, replaced with spare and rove to tire shop.

Can driving with one tire of a different size damage anything?
My brains says no, because differential will take care of differences, but am interested in Ram hive-mind opinion.

 

[BlueHemi1500]

My guess is if the odd tire is upfront and only in 2WD for a very short distance, there should not be a problem, but I'm not a mechanic. I'm waiting as well. As I just changed my tire size from the factory size, I need to learn this information as well.

BlueHemi1500

 

[Richard320]

No.

Well, wait.... if you're the type to drive in 4High on dry pavement, you'd be more prone to destroy a U-joint

 

[Pikeman_66]

No.

Well, wait.... if you're the type to drive in 4High on dry pavement, you'd be more prone to destroy a U-joint

as a former 4 wheeler/ truck destroyer this info is correct. as long as you stay in 2 WD for a short time it won't hurt anything. do not run in 4x4 it will tear the u joints out and I have seen it cause differential locker damage. although the diff locker Damage could have come from the abuse we were putting on it too, so that is undetermined in reality for me.

 

[Reverse]

as a former 4 wheeler/ truck destroyer this info is correct. as long as you stay in 2 WD for a short time it won't hurt anything. do not run in 4x4 it will tear the u joints out and I have seen it cause differential locker damage. although the diff locker Damage could have come from the abuse we were putting on it too, so that is undetermined in reality for me.

I don't really understand why it would cause damage? One wheel/tire runs at a different number of rotations/mile, but differential is made for taking care of that (all of this 2WD).

 

[Pikeman_66]

I don't really understand why it would cause damage? One wheel/tire runs at a different number of rotations/mile, but differential is made for taking care of that (all of this 2WD).

2w drive only is fine it is just hard on the locking rear diff if equipped something with the turning and how it affects the locking device if equipped. 4 wd is where the real damage happens dropped my share of driveshafts limping home.