Just thought about this today. I have 285s on wider rims 16x8 and still carry my OEM spare. If I got a flat could I limp home with the spare or should I invest in a spare that matches the size of my 4 running wheels/tires?

Who here has ditched the spare altogether?

I ditched my spare all together. I think you can run a very short distance on your spare if it is smaller than the other three tires on the truck. But if you go too far or too fast, Ive heard you will destroy your spider gears. Then again, I suppose you could take the smaller tire and put it on the front and move the bigger tire to the back, if that is, the flat occured on one of the rear wheels.

I got a 5th tire that is 315.75.16....well I kept an old baldie. I mounted it on my spare rim and I throw it in the bed if I am ever going on a long ride or somewhere that I think I am in danger of getting a flat. The one time I do get a flat Im sure I will not have my spare with me. Just the way things work.

I don't move without a spare and would most likely get a spare in the same size as the four that are on deck. You can probably get by as 343 above states with a smaller spare but wouldn't go too far and keep the speed below 45. Many automobiles carry one of the dink size skinny spares and, if memory serves me right, recommend keeping speed below 50 if spare is being used. I've seen'em running 80 on the interstate. (and seen a few junkers running 4 of them)

I think the dink sized spares on cars have the same OD as the stock tires though. These 285s are taller. If I get a spare I'll make sure it is the same height (OD) as my 285s.

Whats the biggest tire you can mount back up into the stock location of the spare? I have 265 tires and want to remove the 245 and add another 265 for a spare. Will it fit back into the stock location? I figure it will now but im planning on running 4 or 5 inch exhaust soon and hear of people having to remove the spare completely to get their new exhaust to clear.

my truck came w/ 265's and i was able to run my 5" exhaust w/ it mounted but only had about .5" of clearance. i removed the spare for looks.

IIRC I had to modify my exhaust a little too. I just cut it and then welded it back together after changing the angle of the dangle ever so slightly.

I run 285s and a 245 spare. If figure any spare is better then no spare. Worse case I can put it on the front. If I didn't have a spare at all I know I would be stranded in the middle of no where at 3am.

my truck came w/ 265's and i was able to run my 5" exhaust w/ it mounted but only had about .5" of clearance. i removed the spare for looks.

Thanks for the info. I plan to remove mine too, but with my fourwheeler in the back on long trips id like to have a spare and am limited on room in the bed.

I also don't go anywhere without a spare. That goes for the truck and the trailer. 2 weeks ago I had a flat on the boat trailer 5 miles from the house. I got a flat on the truck on the way back home the same day. If you don't like the look of the spare, get some aluminum sheet metal and build a sight shield. Anything looks better than you scratching your a$$ on the side of the road waiting for somebody to bring you another tire.

As long as your axle's is not locked up (lockers) or in 4WD, you should be fine for a short run to town to get the other fixed. ):h

I am running 315s with a 295 spare. I think I can get a 315 under there (other's have) and will do so when I wear my current 315s out. I would never ditch the spare.

I run 285's on 8" wheels and have a 285 semi bald spare on stock rim. Fits with no problem.