Different size spare.....??

[K85 Octane]

Just kinda looking for "what to expect" ideas from those who may have already experienced this.

I'm running 38" tires on 18" rims. I don't have a spare, but am looking at getting something like a 37" tire with 17" rim. I bought my 38" with 18" rim at a good price off CL, but not real keen on the size or the rim size. I find good used tires in 17" rim size all the time.

Right now I'm looking at a REAL good deal on (1) 37" tire and 17" rim deal. It was this persons spare also.

What to expect if I need to use it... It is an all around rig that is locked front and rear 60/14. I know I can't put the spare in the rear, not on road anyway.

What do you think?

 

[Fordum]

I don't have the same type problems you folks have, but I have run a different size spare on my Ford for about 20 years.
I don't air down, and flats are real rare. I run tubeless and have a plugging kit and air compressor.
But, in that time I think I have had maybe 5 flats that could not be plugged, and all of them were on the rear.
No reason for it, other than just my bad luck.

Its definitely a pain. Two jacks or a jack and jackstand would have been nice, but I never was where either was available.
Most of the time, I jacked up the rear, took off the flat and tossed it under the axle to keep it high enough to get the jack back under easily.
Then let it down and jacked up the front and put the spare on there.
Jacked the back back up and put the front tire on the rear.

At the time, I would have willingly gone to a full size spare. And probably for a week or so later.
But, after that, the full size spare would have been in the way.

Probably the total aggravation of having a different size spare would be less if you could add it all up then the aggravation of hauling around a full size spare if you figure it up over the whole 20 years.

But it sure seems more when you are changing the flat.......

 

[Fordum]

You know, what I just posted sounds backwards, but I had a reason for it. I just don't remember what it was now.
Something to do with where the spare was mounted I think.
I could remember if I was looking at the truck.

 

[Cruz89K5]

I would much rather have a spare that was a little off than trying to drive out of a trail or off the side of the interstate on a rim, or while ruining an expensive 38" flat and the rim it was attached to. As long as you used it as a spare and not as a replacement I dont see a problem with it at all.