Advice take two
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 2
From: Sterling, Virginia
Advice take two
OK, here's my problem. Need to take a spare tire for a road trip but the front and back wheels and tires don't match. The fronts have a standard backspacing 7x15's but the backs are reversed 7x15's so I could use larger tires. Any ideas on what size spare to take with me? 
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: Central Oregon
Sounds like a standard (like your front) will fit both, so I would get one of that size. If you have a flat on the back, it would get you to the next tire repair place and you wouldn't have to carry two spares.
Phantom of the Phorum
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 1,696
From: Kentucky
Unless you have a very stiff, or locking rear differential, having miss-matched tires in the rear will probably just feel a little funky. Depending on your handling characteristics and front suspension geometry, a miss-match in the front could have you all over the road.
I'm going to have a spare in the stock location, but I don't plan to carry two.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,288
Likes: 1,052
From: NM
Problem with that is, if the tire is otherwise repairable, using a plug makes it so no tire shop will touch it.
If you run with significantly different sized tires on any differential, you should limit speed to something low like 35, it's real hard on the spider gears.
If you run with significantly different sized tires on any differential, you should limit speed to something low like 35, it's real hard on the spider gears.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: peyton, colorado
Zoot, what bolt pattern are the wheels? There may be a temp spare that will work. I have an open differential, but I didn't want to vary the height of the rear tire much. I have 235/65r16 on the back, and went with a 215/70r16 spare. The spare is narrower, but the same height as the rears. It's a tad tall for the front but Oh Well. You may be able to find a skinny spare thats the same height as your wide rears. Post what sizes you have.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 19
From: Austin
I'll second Carnut's approach - carry a plug kit & a small portable air compressor. You are up & out of there in minutes. I've never had any problems at Discount Tire or any other tire place - I generally will take it to them after I get where I'm going & they will repair it with a patch from the inside.
The compressor we carry is below - Fills a tire from empty in under 3 minutes.
Viair 88P Portable Air Compressor
Ben in Austin
The compressor we carry is below - Fills a tire from empty in under 3 minutes.
Viair 88P Portable Air Compressor
Ben in Austin
Last edited by ben73058; Oct 16, 2012 at 05:38 PM. Reason: Spelling
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 2
From: Sterling, Virginia
Thanks guys, I'm running PS225/75R15 in the rear and PS205/75R15 in front. Tomorrow is my day off and I'm going to try to mount one of the front wheels on the rear...see if it clears the the bed. The front wheels have a standard backspace but the rears a reversed because my 9" is a little narrow...so if the fronts fit the rear, I'll get a standard backspace wheel for the spare. I'll be driving through NYC over the GW bridge etc. Not a good place to break down. 
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