Do we need a spare tire for overlanding/off roading?

[Flyin6]

OK, allow me to ask a good question:



Do we need a spare tire?



So in all my days off-roading and on several different continents, in Jeeps, Land-Rovers, Hummers, Chevies, Fords, Dodge and Ram trucks and Ramchargers, in Blazer K-5s and Broncos, in a Tundra and a Tacoma, in a Landcruiser FJ-40 and some Hap thing I can't pronounce. Well in all of those in all "adventures" I have had, I have had almost no flats, and none that I didn't fix, and I never once had to bolt the spare onto the vehicle to be able to drive out.

So, with all this weight savings, I am asking myself, why carry that huge chunk of rubber around when the chances of my ever needing it approach zero?

I have popped a bead, just like most of you, but I just reseated it. Actually, three times in one day once. I even gashed a tire and I just loaded it up with tire plugs, like a dozen of them and the lumpy thing held air and drove to the tire store.

So why do I need anything other than a mini compressor and a good tire repair kit?

Opinions?

[Bob Smith]

Well Sir I have not done much off road driving, but having a spare while up hunting and driving on 2-4 inch or larger rock I make sure my spare is with me and has proper air pressure. Maybe a smaller wheel tire would get you by but I wouldn’t roll without something.   

[stlaser]

My opinion, you should have one. Whether it’s on trailer at camp or otherwise. I’ve gutted more than one sidewall and you don’t fix those….

[Farmer Jon]

I don't leave my house to go to town without a spare. I would not go overlanding without at least one. I would probably throw another tire that fits my rims in there for good measure. If you have it you wont need it. If you leave it at home you will need it.

[Flyin6]

I posed the question on another forum as well. There are twenty-odd, good responses there. Not a single one recommends leaving the spare home.

I was just airing an idea, with this being a decision quality check. The spare remains.

[wilsonphil]

When I tow trailers I always carry 2ea spares, reason is most of the tires are from the Chinaman and do not hold up.  Almost every trip across the country I have needed one.

Deep off road I did the same thing 2ea, and on two different trips I needed them both, one the tire failed and the second was rocks cutting side wall.

[cj7ox]

I've spent quite a bit of time offroad in the western deserts, and in the southeastern hills. Several times I've been in a situation where I got a flat, or lost a bead, and needed a spare. Once, I lost a bead in a rocky stream. That needed the spare so I could get to a location where I could reseat the bead on the original tire. I've also been off road with a guy who didn't have a spare. That caused a 3 hour ride to turn into a 12 hour PIA while we scrounged to find something suitable to get the dude off the trail. Remember, a spare is also for the rim. If you damage your primary rim beyond its capability to hold air, you're done. That's one of the reason I like steel wheels, you can hammer on them a bit, unlike aluminum. ;-)

[Flyin6]

When I tow trailers I always carry 2ea spares, reason is most of the tires are from the Chinaman and do not hold up.  Almost every trip across the country I have needed one.

Deep off road I did the same thing 2ea, and on two different trips I needed them both, one the tire failed and the second was rocks cutting side wall.

Phil, just sounds like you need additional driver training! ;-)

[stlaser]

Why last two trailers I’ve bought have 16 ply tires on them…..

[Flyin6]

Why last two trailers I’ve bought have 16 ply tires on them…..

Same here, Last two trailers, 16K and a 17K both have the 16 ply solid steel with iron liners, tires...
Gave the dumper a workout yesterday. carrying 12,000 of #57 creek stone. Total weight, !6,200 trailer and cargo. Pulled that with the D-max.

[stlaser]

Why last two trailers I’ve bought have 16 ply tires on them…..

Same here, Last two trailers, 16K and a 17K both have the 16 ply solid steel with iron liners, tires...
Gave the dumper a workout yesterday. carrying 12,000 of #57 creek stone. Total weight, !6,200 trailer and cargo. Pulled that with the D-max.

Yup, a fan of the Kaufman trailers and the minimal $1k upgrade to those axles, tires and wheels.

[EL TATE]

When I tow trailers I always carry 2ea spares, reason is most of the tires are from the Chinaman and do not hold up.  Almost every trip across the country I have needed one.

Deep off road I did the same thing 2ea, and on two different trips I needed them both, one the tire failed and the second was rocks cutting side wall.

Rocks cutting the sidewall is a common issue out this way from shale and sharp granite. i wouldn't go out without one

[Sammconn]

Sounds Ike you’re already keeping it.

You should have seen the guys wrestle the baseball sized rock out of the steel and treads to see how big it actually was. Yes baseball sized. Three grown men to remove. Lol

That needs a new tire as they’re ain’t no amount of plugs fixin that.
I’ve as well used about a dozen to get out of a bind.