Gigantic Tires On Your Tacoma But What About the Spare?

[@eltaco7405]

I just had a flat several days ago. Funny how you bring this topic of conversation now. Spare tires are definitely not talked about enough. Awesome video Had my 7 year old spare tire on for 2 days by the way !!

[@RobMotive]

Most people don’t think about them until they’re needed. I bet a majority of folks are driving around with flat spares as I type😬

[@AlaskanGoldMiner]

Rob I bought 5 matching wheels and tires for my 2019 TRD off-road. The 285/70/R17 Ridge Grappler fits snugly in the spare location. No modifications required. I’m doing a five tire rotation to keep wear even.

[@RobMotive]

That’s the way to do it👍

[@FrozenTundra1365]

Most new cars don’t even come with a spare tire today. Just a can of fix a flat stuff. Trying to save weight for better gas milage. Or you get that small little checker tire. I would just keep the one on that came with the truck. Only need to get to a repair shop with it.

[@RobMotive]

Unfortunately true. Problem is, you better have the type of flat they can fix. If you have a major blowout (or even a moderate hole) they are useless. I already have a new, proper size spare for my setup. Part of the fun (for me) is figuring out what to do with it👍

[@bryantopash2023]

I'm all about saving a few bucks. I just bought 4 new tires for my Tacoma and went with an inexpensive off brand for the spare.

[@RobMotive]

Sounds like a good move to me👍

[@LimitedGunnerGM]

Something else to consider. 5-tire rotations are easier than 4-tire. Make the spare match the others and you’re good to go!

[@RobMotive]

Absolutely!!👍

[@gusthomas2423]

Couple other options....join AAA, get a flat, get it either fixed on the road or towed free to a shop. Also, I think someone makes a pretty cool rear bumper tire carrier for the Taco. Downside to that is it may make the truck too long for most garages. I think as long as your slightly under a 33" tire it may fit underneath with slight adjustment also.

[@RobMotive]

AAA is a good option, but I’d prefer to be self sufficient. I have seen that rear carrier, but I think it would make the truck too long for my garage. I’ll be trying to mount it under the truck when I get to my spare project👍

[@MrMikey1273]

AAA plus RV member here. I can't say anything bad about being a member for the assistance or being self-sufficient. I try to take care of simple things like flats myself usually. Once we had a flat on my camper, I was not able to get far away from traffic to change it and the lug bolts were difficult. AAA came with power tools, helped me get back on the road quickly and safely. Another time I broke down. They took the tow vehicle and trailer off the highway to the shop.

[@RobMotive]

Definitely a benefit and piece of mind to have a service like AAA. Especially if you have a camper👍

[@MrToad-zv4cc]

When I had AAA long time ago. Got stuck off road and they said sorry we don't go off road.

[@gusthomas2423]

@@MrToad-zv4cc I look at it this way....I never off road alone, so if I break something that can't be fixed on sight I should be able to get a tow from a buddy to a road where AAA can take it from there. Hopefully lol

[@gearrunner]

That’s one reason I like my Jeep. I always have a full size spare on the back

[@RobMotive]

Yup! It’s a must I think! I need to get one for Christa’s Jeep😬

[@robertyoung8289]

Never a good idea to run a smaller tire on the back either. Very hard on the gears. To save weight I removed my spare all together. I have a large can of sealant and a plug kit.

[@dpeagles]

How so with an open differential? It is made to spin at different speeds.

[@btvr17]

I've had 5 Toyota trucks since 91. Never had a flat and had to take down the spare in all that time until a few weeks ago. Razor blade sliced a big gash in it where the pressure was lost rapidly. The spare had adequate pressure since the truck is only a year old. Now I make it a point to always check pressure in the spare when I check the others. Still debating if I want to go bigger tires or not. If i do maybe just one size up where the smaller spare shouldn't make much of a difference.

[@RobMotive]

I know what you mean. I haven’t had a flat out in the wild in years. But when it does happen (and it will) I want to have a spare I can count on👍

[@vario2664]

I'm thinking that since regular passenger cars have donut tires to get to a tire place or home, assuming it's not hundreds of miles away, then how destructive could a smaller regular tire spare be in such a circumstance? -- probably not at all as long as you go minimum speed.

[@RobMotive]

Could be. Of course with a same size tire you could just go about your business🤔

[@jamesmauex]

It would be like the full size version of a donut!! Lol

[@RobMotive]

Lol!! Now that would work👍

[@gs98999]

Would the OEM jack even be able to lift a truck that lifted? Or do you have an aftermarket jack?

[@RobMotive]

It would not. I’m looking at options for that now👍

[@MrTimbertoy]

Can’t a block of wood work?

[@RobMotive]

Yup, that would do just fine too👍

[@denisdegamon8224]

​@@MrTimbertoy Thats what I have been doing for many years. An old PT 2x6x6" and PT 4x4 lumber does the trick and just rid3s in the bed for when it's needed.

[@humbertoparra975]

Hello Rob Do you know if the oem spare has a TPMS sensor? I would like to upgrade my spare with the 17”trd pro wheels. Not sure if it has a sensor. Please advice. Thank you

[@RobMotive]

Mine does not.

[@terrancetatum7599]

A spare is a good thing to have. Also a jack that can raise the frontend of a lifted truck. Speaking of which, I still need to get one.

[@RobMotive]

Absolutely! I’m looking at a jacking method now🤔

[@leedew59]

Is fitment of a larger spare possible where the current spare hangs? Up to what size spare fits securely there?

[@RobMotive]

That’s one thing I’ll be looking at. Not sure at the moment🤔

[@leedew59]

RobMotive thanks, keep us posted. I only upsized to 265/75 R16’s and bought a cheaper tire in that size for my spare. It was a tighter fit for sure.

[@RobMotive]

I don’t think mine will fit...but we’ll see🤔

[@jareddodge8813]

When I go up to 33”s I’ll get get a spare I have 265/75 r16 general grabber atx wish Is inch taller than stock

[@RobMotive]

Sounds like a good plan to me👍

[@MrMikey1273]

Years ago when I lifted the Jeep I had and later got new larger tires on the stock wheels I got 5 new tires. Then I rotated them all through and have been replacing them in sets of 5. 2 reasons I did this. 1. I was told if my tires on the ground didn't all match with in a tolerance I couldn't use 4wd. That was a potential problem for winter and of road driving. 2. The Jeep spare is always exposed to 🌞 light and weather extremes. The tire will eventually dry rot and not be safe to drive on . So may as well get some use out of it if I'm going to have to replace it anyhow. What I will do with the Tacoma I don't know. I looks like the spare is a steel wheel so it won't be rotated in with the other alloy wheels. Probably will buy a new spare if I change sizes and just replace it once it's too old to use safely with a cheaper tire of identical size.

[@RobMotive]

That’s a great way to utilize the spare for sure. Also gives you an “extra” to make rotating the tires yourself easier👍

[@MrMikey1273]

@@RobMotive I only did the rotation myself once. The little country tire shop I always buy from does it for $1 per wheel if you got your tires from them. That's a hard deal to pass up.

[@RobMotive]

Yup! I’d take it in too for that👍👍

[@dpeagles]

If you are using four wheel drive the tires can slip on the terrain you are on so I don't see the problem. It's no different than turning in four wheel drive.

[@Immaculate_Perception]

Rob...will the new spare fit under the truck where the stock one was? You might need to mount it in the bed...

[@RobMotive]

Folks are telling me it will. We’ll see🤔

[@Immaculate_Perception]

@@RobMotive Let us know,I was wondering about the same thing a few weeks ago. But never got around to checking👍

[@RobMotive]

Absolutely . Stay tuned👍

[@davidtfoster8016]

Knock on wood, the last flat I had was with the '91 Tacoma in '96. Never had one on the '03 in the 16 years I had it and so far not on the '19. Double knock on wood! Had same sized spare installed on truck when I changed to 265's.

[@RobMotive]

I’ve been very lucky too. A couple of nails here and there..but always saw them before there was a bigger problem 👍

[@henryrodriguez665]

Rob have you tried putting that spare up under your truck. I believe it would fit.

[@RobMotive]

Hey Henry. I haven’t yet. That will be something I’ll do when I start the spare tire project👍

[@TheCarguy1993]

At least Toyota gives you a spare, not like some smaller cars that give ya an air pump and some goo.

[@RobMotive]

Yeah!! I hate that! Might as well have nothing😬

[@jareddodge8813]

Funny story when I had my 87 Suzuki samurai it had Farley new tires on it except the spare had an issue with one of the tires jacked it up put the spare on next day checked the date on the tire it was the original spare form 1987 lol

[@RobMotive]

Wow! I’m surprised it even held air!

[@michaelneuhaus4432]

I went same size tire on my ram as stock

[@RobMotive]

Good move 👍

[@mikewieltschnig5230]

You need RM cover on your trailer hitch.

[@RobMotive]

Hmm...I like that idea!!👍

[@dardevle]

Backwards...don't want small tire on the back!

[@lovethemetals5164]

Problem is. Where do you put it?

[@RobMotive]

Ahh!!! That’s the big question 🤔

[@lovethemetals5164]

RobMotive i got the same problem. Let me know if you crack the case

[@RobMotive]

I have a couple ideas...🤔

[@lovethemetals5164]

RobMotive please share

[@run4st717]

Ah hell I have 17 inch 4Runner wheels on mune and a 16 in spare...at some point need to find a 17 in spare...roll the dice

[@RobMotive]

Lol! The perils of upgrading to a larger setup!!😬

[@luv2smoke928]

I just call road service, not my problem

[@RobMotive]

I prefer to be more self reliant👍