Spare Tire

[EPGregg]

OK, the first of what may be quite a few questions.

As I start my build I'm trying to decide on just what to do about a spare tire. My frame has 14" tires and wheels, but I wonder if I can use a smaller/lighter 13" tire/wheel as a spare. Like a space saver spare in a car, it would only be used for a short time till the regular tire is repaired.

My frame has torsion axel if that makes a difference.

Any opinions?

[emiller]

Should work fine. It doesn't work very well on some vehicles either front wheel or rear wheel drive because of gearing in the drive wheels. Trailer wheels don't have gears hooking them together so it shouldn't be a problem.

[bobhenry]

We looked kinda funny limping into "The Brown County Blowout" in May after we had a blowout ( what a coincidence) . Stold a 8" off of my motorcycle tear "just in case" I was glad I did . Here we come down the lane with a 12" and an 8" tire. It towed fine but I am real sure it looked kinda strange going down the road. My version of a space saver spare I guess

[mechmagcn]

This is the reason that I am using the same wheels for both my truck and teardrop. one spare for both.

[jeep_bluetj]

And/Or pick a bolt pattern that matches your tow vehicle. If you have a TV with a donut spare you're likely in really good shape.

All my jeeps and trailers have the same pattern and close enough size of wheels I can swap them around. (I more view the trailer tires as spares for the jeep though).

[George Kraus]

I have 14" wheels on my Tear that I am building and I am going to use a 12 inch as a spare. The spare from my utility trailer.

George

[tinksdad]

Some people say carrying a spare isn't necessary. All I can say is I am definitely going to have one. I got a flat tire on mine right now.... and I'm not even done building it yet!!! 0 miles on a brand new HF trailer.

[EPGregg]

Thanks everyone for the posts. It’s good to know that I’m not too far off base.

I had actually thought of using the spare from the tow vehicle, but both vehicles I’ll probably use have 16” wheels. I like the bigger 14” on the TD but thought that 16” might be just a bit of overkill.

George, believe it or not, I thought about using the 12” spare from my utility trailer just last night. I guess great minds….

Bummer about the flat tire on a new trailer!

Thanks again for the posts.

Gregg

[halfdome, Danny]

If you know your bolt pattern any junk yard will sell you a like new donut tire. Make sure you know the overall height of the tire as there are many varieties. Danny

[Nick Taylor]

I didn't use to carry a spare that fit my teardrop since it had easy to get 14" tires. I've since gone to the correct 600x16 tires so I had to find a spare that would work. Problem with my teardrop is that the suspension fits inside the wheel and it requires a 16" wheel to clear. The old 14" mags had wheel adapters which spaced the wheel far enough from the suspension to fit.

What I found is a Ford 16" aluminum temporary spare tire. Very light weight and my car and trailer have the same bolt pattern so I could use it on either. I just had to enlarge the hub hole in the spare to make it fit. The spare came in handy when I had a flat on my car on the way back from Pismo this year. The spare in my wagon is the original from 1964 and is buried under the third seat. I would have had to unpack the car to get to it.

There are compact spares available in several bolt patterns. I don't know what other makes use aluminum ones but Ford has several different ones in 4 and 5 bolt patterns. The one I got happens to be hard to find as it only came on cars with a special handling package. I've been looking for another one.

Nick.

[bobhenry]

Some people say carrying a spare isn't necessary. All I can say is I am definitely going to have one. I got a flat tire on mine right now.... and I'm not even done building it yet!!! 0 miles on a brand new HF trailer.

Good ol Duco Tires from HF ? (P.O.S.) When they start coming apart be sure and tell them they were at the 65 pounds PSI for any warranty. Hope you have better luck than I did. They basically told me tough S#$%t and I went out and bought 2 new Carlisle tires. Limped home on a badly distorted tire on our 1st outing and a blowout on our second so I will always carry a spare !