Do you carry one (spare) in your Dent.

Why I ask? I took my spare out of the bed in 2021 when starting the redo process. My spare then, and now if carried, is a extra 31/10.50-15 on a stock wheel, not sure but I think is a 6" wheel. It has been my spare since probably the '90s anyway, but it shows no cracking and even holds air. The wheel is in need of paint. I have the spare that was under the gas tank that I removed in the '80s when I built the hitch, it's a H or L 78-15, and its "aged" and flat, but it's lighter too. My truck has good 31/10.50-15s on the ground on 8" wheels.

I am not old and feeble ... yet ... but I put that 31 in the bed today, and I'd hate to fool with it roadside. I also have a set of 15x8s with another set of 31s on them, one of them would make a spare too, but it would be heavier.

For years, since at least 1989 during the coal strike ... I have carried a "go bag" that contains compressor, plugs, & the tools to insert them. I've used them even on car tires instead of changing a spare. My lighter spare is smaller than my other 31s, I'm almost tempted to buy a used tall but not as wide tire and put on a stock wheel, and it'd be close enough for temporary emergency use, but then I thought of some here running much larger tires and wonder if they carry spares. I have not ever needed to use the spare. I could just leave the spare out, maybe ... maybe roll it into the bed if ever again I take it far from home, but that's not likely. My other vehicles all have spares.

Well, I said I wouldn't likely be driving far from home, but in retrospect, might drive it to my BIL's home in Floyd Co., but all paved roads limited to 55 -60 mph ... no interstate use. Call it 110 miles one way.

I do occasionally drive it off road, like it's in the back yard now, but it is near the basement door.
I'm just curious, looking for ideas, etc.

03-17-2026: OK, so looking back to Aril 02, 2024, looks like my issue that day was in large part due to my poor technique, tipping into the open tailgate works much better. Tipping into tjhe open tailgate from atop a 6" tall wood block works more even better. Having a lashing strap in place where one can pull tension to secure steps is a bonus.

 

When I go to remote areas I carry 2 spares.

 

When I first got my truck, 81 F100 flare side, on the road I did not have a wheel that would fit the truck so did not carry a spare.
I also did not drive to far, most was 40 miles to / from work, and figured I could call someone for help to get going again.
Also depending on the insurance you have you may have road side help you can call.

A buddy installed a larger fuel tank and it would have put the spare lower so he was not going to run it and gave it to me.
I like that the truck looks "complete" with the spare under the tank and the jack, lug wrench under the hood.
My tires are 235 / 75 / 15 and I also have a frame mounted hitch and the tire clears it just fine.

If running larger tires you can run a smaller spare as long as you dont have a LS. The 2 different sizes will work the LS a lot and can hurt it.
If put on a front steer axle you have to watch when braking for it to pull 1 side or the other.

Oh because I have after market wheels on the truck I also need to carry 5 factory lug nuts to to fit the spare and 2 different size sockets.
Dave ----

 

So it depends for me... I do have one in or for all my trucks, my 66 F100 has one in the bed, used it once, glad I had it, my 77 F250 4x I have one, when I go up hunting/wheeling I throw it in the bed (throw is a term, it's more like @#$#$&$@#$ ugh, it's in, yes a 35" spare on steel wheel is heavy af) and I have used it also when I aired down and blew a bead. My 77 F150 4x is the "pretty boy" he used to be the hunting/wheeling working truck, now he just gets toodled around, he has a spare under the tank, and tbh, I don't remember the last time I checked the pressure in it. I keep good tires on all my trucks as I hate dealing with flats.

If you carry the plugs and a compressor... I think you'll have a 94.462% success rate, I carry the plugs in my 77's, and really it depends on where you go... spares are one of those things, like CC, better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it...

I too am not old and feeble... yet.. (well 55 does get senior discounts some places ) but like you stated, if I go far, or off road, I will make sure I have one, and I will add, because I found out the dumb way, make sure if you have aftermarket rims/nuts, make sure you have the correct size tire iron/ratchet and socket AND extension... fortunately I also carry a toolbox in all my trucks, but it took some digging and time to find what I needed.

Good ? as it was a good reminder for me to go through my "fleet" soon and make sure I still have what I need if I do need to change a tire..

 

I have a spare under mine but would need to call road assist to get it changed anymore. Hate to go without it though. It's stock size and fits with a hitch.

 

I have Hagerty collector insurance, and it includes free 24/7/365 roadside service and towing!

I don't have a spare under the truck right now, but I plan to get one. As I described in another thread, my truck still had its original factory spare tire and rim in the carrier rack. I took that out and put it in storage for posterity. I need to go hit the local junkyard and procure a rim and maybe a tire. Just haven't gotten around to it yet. And I have Hagerty coverage. . .

 

IIRC free towing flat bed? up to 100 miles.
Being I dont really drive that far I can have it towed home where I can deal with it when I have time if the spare tire dose not work out out on the road LOL
Dave ----

 

No but I do have AAA. Already had to use it once for this truck, not tire related though.

 

I have a spare but it sits in the shop unless I go on a road trip somewhere over 100 miles or so. Then I throw it in the bed.
I also have Triple AAA now! Mainly for the wife.

 

I always carry a spare. The last two flats I've had, (over 20 yrs), one was a complete blow out. The other, I ran over some pruning shears and put a 3" gash in the tire.

 

My truck was originally ordered with a spare tire and carrier.
It was mounted in the front driver's side of the bed but the tire carrier was long gone by the time I bought the truck.
I think it was a pretty rare option because I never see them.




Its not going anywhere.


I bought a 5th matching wheel off eBay and another tire from Walmart and a spare tire mounting kit from LMC.
I like having a spare tire because you just never know and now I can do a 5 tire rotation rather than just a front to back.
If I was going just for looks I wouldn't carry one.

I understand AAA and other insurances but......
How long is it going to take your truck them to get to you if you're out in the middle of nowhere??
I guess that's not a worry if you never take your truck out into the middle of nowhere.

 

I have never been stranded due to a flat or any tire related issue. I have plugged a tire in the woods once. I have been stranded 3 times due to break down all by THIS truck. I also was stranded due to being stuck twice as well….come to think of it both of those times were in the last blue Ford I owned. Maybe if I paint this thing a different color…

 

If possible get a cover on that spare.

 

Good points, and if you see me out, even if just in the yard, I'm CCing ... is an old habit. I do have tools and jack in the cab behind the seat. My spare is sound, but it's not pretty so I might paint it ... or ... put a full wheel cover on it to keep leaves and such out from under it. The rubber mat is left over, but heavy, and non slip, and easy on the knees. I could maybe use that old round satelite dish behind the shed and a long bolt to fasten it the spare, maybe even put a handle on it, make for a useful seat. Clean that smeared construction adhesive off the tire too? Could "cable secure" it too I guess.



I was just playing and took the picture from above on my porch.

 

Here’s a photo of an original in-bed bracket. The few I removed were mounted to the rt rear portion of the bed. They’re simple to install and used what looked like a 1/4” lag screw with 1/2” head.


this one was adjusted to fit 9.00-16