Notices
2017 - 2022 Super Duty The 2017-2022 Ford F250, F350, F450, F550 & F600 Super Duty Pickup and Chassis Cab
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Different SIZE Spare

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 20, 2018 | 10:53 AM
  #46  
gravedgr's Avatar
gravedgr
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Busa 1 Dave
Good question and I have no answer on that one. The other reason besides security I have the cover is to keep the UV's off the tire and rain off the jack because it does not fit in the garage.
Good points. I may have to run a standard wheel/tire as a spare until I can get a bed cover. My vehicles live in the driveway (garage is part workshop, part project area and part vehicle parts storage - like my wife's Rubicon hard top).
 
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2018 | 11:40 AM
  #47  
bushpilot's Avatar
bushpilot
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 8
From: Tomball, Tx
Originally Posted by gravedgr
Thanks for the links. Do you know if there is a way to secure the wheel/tire and/or jack without a locking bed cover? I have large storage container I usually keep in the bed that is too tall for a cover.
My BET is you could probably mount that to the frame somewhere.
on my 2004 I installed a battery box for a 3rd battery - there TONS of room under there.
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2018 | 02:56 PM
  #48  
bikegeek's Avatar
bikegeek
New User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Hey all! Long time listener, first time caller. This forum is such a great wealth of info.

So I too have 275/65/20 Michelins on my 2018 F350 Platinum with a 275/70/18 Goodyear Wrangler spare. I’m going to put 295/65/20s on but wondering what is the BEST option for the spare? I’d prefer to use all stock wheels, but I suppose getting a second hand 20” wheel for the spare wouldn’t break the bank. Also the spare will go back up underneath the bed.

Should I keep the stock 18" wheel and maybe get a 285/75/18 used tire since there's just under 1% difference?

Or just try to find a used 20” wheel with a used 295/65/20 tire? I'm thinking this, as I could use this spare front or back and not have to shuffle multiple tires around on the side of the road in a flat situation.




 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2018 | 04:47 PM
  #49  
rfbrain's Avatar
rfbrain
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 156
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville
Although I can appreciate the concern of running different tire sizes on a differential. I'm not convinced that it has any appreciable negative impacts especially when used in a temporary situation. Case in point, even running the exact same size tires there is a speed differential of up to 19-20% between right and left while turning. So unless you drive only in a straight line your differential is getting abused constantly.
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2018 | 05:00 PM
  #50  
harmanrk's Avatar
harmanrk
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 787
Likes: 73
From: Lansing MI
A lot of people seem to freak out about this, but as the chart 2 post up shows, there is a 0.9% difference in the actual size of the tires, in the dimension that matters, when NEW. Put 50,000 miles on those 20 inch tires, and it will be even less. You probably even hit a point where that unused 18 inch spare is actually 'bigger' than the used 20 tire.
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2018 | 05:08 PM
  #51  
C12H24's Avatar
C12H24
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 516
It would affect only a limited slip. The radius difference will mean the clutch packs in the differential will be slipping. It's designed to do this, but long-term persistent slip will wear the packs. Ideally, you want the same radius (distance from axle centerline to road surface) on the driven wheels. Tires are never going to be precisely the same radius. Manufacturing tolerances and tire pressure have an affect. So, there is always some speed difference between the tires, but it's not usually consequential unless you are just way off.

It can also affect a locker by allowing the rear end to steer the vehicle, but since the factory e-locker unlocks at 20mph, it's unlikely you would experience this.

An open differential won't have any effects from a size difference.
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2018 | 05:25 PM
  #52  
harmanrk's Avatar
harmanrk
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 787
Likes: 73
From: Lansing MI
Correct, the Limited Slip Diff is the only area the difference really has a chance to cause an issue, and for the SRW that is not an option.

I guess one of the DRW would have to explain to me, when they pull the duals off and replace them with a single spare.

Again as I said above, the spare will always be a different size, as all the talk here only matter on new, unworn tires. In real life, with actual mileage on the truck, its a roll of the dice how the tires stack up.
 
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2018 | 01:58 AM
  #53  
homerj's Avatar
homerj
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 293
Likes: 3
From: Mill creek wa
I have a nitto 295/65/20 under mine and that’s as big as you’ll fit. It was touching on 3 sides.





 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Jan 25, 2019 | 05:14 PM
  #54  
garretblack's Avatar
garretblack
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
that would be a little over 35" correct? So a 35x12.5x18 on a 18x9 wheel should fit (barely)? I'd feel much better having the same size spare after I upgrade wheels and not the OEM as we go to pretty remote places.
 
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2019 | 07:30 PM
  #55  
Retiredout's Avatar
Retiredout
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
I was three hours from home on a Sunday when my 20 inch tire on my previous truck picked up a nail that wen in through the bottom edge and came out the side. Did not want to drive 3 hours at highway speeds with my spare 18 inch tire. Found a Firestone store open and bought a brand new 20 inch tire.I still have that new 20 inch tire because after I got home I bought 4 new 20 inch Goodyear wranglers. My new 2019 F 250 has 18 inch tires.
 
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2019 | 08:28 PM
  #56  
wrvond's Avatar
wrvond
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
Originally Posted by harmanrk
Correct, the Limited Slip Diff is the only area the difference really has a chance to cause an issue, and for the SRW that is not an option.

I guess one of the DRW would have to explain to me, when they pull the duals off and replace them with a single spare.

Again as I said above, the spare will always be a different size, as all the talk here only matter on new, unworn tires. In real life, with actual mileage on the truck, its a roll of the dice how the tires stack up.
The spare on my truck is the same as the other six tires. The wheel is steel, as are the rear inner wheels. Any of the seven wheels will fit in any position, though there is no good reason to mount an aluminum wheel at the inside position.
An XLT or XL is going to have steel wheels all around. Makes life even easier.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BigJC
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
3
Apr 19, 2019 05:10 AM
ATX SD
2015 - 2020 F150
27
Jun 3, 2018 04:17 PM
montauk1
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
16
May 31, 2016 09:47 AM
WhiteEx
2015 - 2020 F150
6
Jun 18, 2015 07:50 PM
Nipperdog
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel
6
Dec 4, 2011 09:27 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:37 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE