Bigger spare tires?
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ
Bigger spare tires?
You guys who run larger than stock tires, do you bother buying a matching spare? I guess a used tire would be the best bet for just carrying around as a spare.
Does this matter? Does limited slip make a difference?
Will a 295 or a 285 fit under the bed where the stock spare goes?
Does this matter? Does limited slip make a difference?
Will a 295 or a 285 fit under the bed where the stock spare goes?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 145
Likes: 2
Bigger spare tires?
I run 295's and I did get a matching spare.
Not a wise idea to run different sizes on the drive wheels and I don't want to be messin around with changing 1 front to the back.
My bigger spare fits underneath without any problems.
Not a wise idea to run different sizes on the drive wheels and I don't want to be messin around with changing 1 front to the back.
My bigger spare fits underneath without any problems.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 1
From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
Bigger spare tires?
I run 285's and have a stock 265 as a spare. When you look at the numbers you might not think there's a big size difference, but in reality there is. If I ever get an unrepairable flat, I hope it's not a rear wheel, because I will have to mess with the front-back change. 
In addition to a can of fix-a-flat (hate using them, but it's nice to keep "just in case"), I also keep a tire patch/repair kit with me in the truck, as well as a portable compressor. Past experience has shown that I can patch a tire quicker than most people can put on their spare. Also gives me a lot of peace of mind about having a non-matching size spare tire.
In addition to a can of fix-a-flat (hate using them, but it's nice to keep "just in case"), I also keep a tire patch/repair kit with me in the truck, as well as a portable compressor. Past experience has shown that I can patch a tire quicker than most people can put on their spare. Also gives me a lot of peace of mind about having a non-matching size spare tire.
Last edited by haroutd; Sep 3, 2003 at 01:02 PM.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
Likes: 6
From: Cabot, Arkansas
Bigger spare tires?
My 285 spare (on the stock rim) fits easily in the stock location. The only thing relatively close is the (4") tailpipe, and there is about 3/4" clearance there.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Bigger spare tires?
When I bought my truck, I went out and purchased a new wheel to match the 4 on the ground. That way, I rotate 5 tires. Have to be religious on the rotation schedule though, or you can get 1 tire worn much less than the other 4. When I went to the 295 BFGs, I just bought 5 tires and continued with the same practice.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Bigger spare tires?
I have a matching spare for my 285 MT/R's. I set one on fire because when they rotated the tires it was pretty close to my Gibson exhaust. This was also while towing a 6 x 12 enclosed trailer through the hills. Stopped for gas and saw black smoke coming rom under my truck. Luckily i carry a fire extinguisher with me. Just make sure it's all the way back against the bumper when you put that spare away. I also put some exhaust wrap around that section of pipe to keep the heat to a minimun on my spare.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Bigger spare tires?
I currently have 305's on my 250, and unfortunately, I am unable to get one of those to fit in the spare compartment. I carry a spare 285 underneath in case of a dire emergency, but like haroutd, i carry a patch kit - 9 times out of 10, it'll do the trick, and it takes me 5-10 minutes (and a little less cussin')!
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Bigger spare tires?
I just bought five 285's for a 2001 F-250. The spare fits just fine.
A couple considerations if you are tempted to use a mismatched spare:
Do not run in 4WD drive. There is no way to dissipate torque
between axles, something has to slip, wear or break.
Don't do it with a limited-slip differential.
A couple considerations if you are tempted to use a mismatched spare:
Do not run in 4WD drive. There is no way to dissipate torque
between axles, something has to slip, wear or break.
Don't do it with a limited-slip differential.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Northern Alberta
Bigger spare tires?
In the winter I run 295 BFG's,when returning from hunting one evening a tire on pass. rear was extremely low(had trailer in tow).Changed it out for the stock spare and drove home 60 miles with no problem.
