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Use of the still new spare tire...?

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Blue Highways View Drop Down
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    Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 2:01pm
As I am gradually wearing down the tires on the 179 (as mounted on their alloy rims), I was thinking about that brand new spare tire on the black steel rim covered at the rear of the WanderPod. If I left it there unused for years and years, I would never benefit from its value, other than it's use as a short-term spare. Yet the tread is deep, and rubber would still be fairly fresh from the factory toward the close of this decade.

Have any of you thought of buying a matched 2nd mounted tire on the black rim from FR, and then rotating the pair of black rimmed tires into use when the factory alloy tires become more worn down? The best of the alloys could become a spare, and the other alloy kept in your garage, (or the 4th brought along for a marathon trip, such as the Alaska Highway.)

This way you'd only be paying for only one add'l new tire and this gain a brand new pair of tires to run the roads with. Do you all think this makes financial sense? It might be cool to put the old style chrome rings & baby moon caps on the black rims for a retro look. Over time, you would eventually revert back to the alloys if you kept your Pod longer. 

The reason I thought of this is that my previous tow truck had a brand new $130 spare tire hanging underneath the bed and after 12 years, the rubber compound aged, the tread was never able to be used, and that $130-valued spare tire was basically a lost asset.

I haven't checked into the cost of a new 15" mounted spare from Forest River, nor do I have any idea if the black steel rim is a commonly found rim spec used on other common vehicles or trailers. I do know the factory tires that came on my 179 Rogue River have given great service and have worn slowly, but they won't be thick forever. Would be interested in anyone's thoughts????

Brad & Layi
WanderPod (RR edition 179)
TV: "BG" (aka Baleuga) the blue 10 Tundra

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furpod View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote furpod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 5:32pm
Tires age. They fail because of age. At 5 years, we changed all three. Spare had never been off the rack. I hope to do it again, just like that, in 4 more years.
Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie.
'11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295FurPodsMods
'17 Ford F250 CCSB
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Blue Highways Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 9:24pm
I agree with you Furpod on the 5 years for tire age. The original tires on our '17 model will be tread-worn if we have another two active summers, making them 2.5 years old. The spare could be used for another couple of years following that and it would then end up being about 5 years old and probably should be taken out of service at the end of that season. I did learn thru my parents blowout experience on their motor home in 2003 on I-95 at the Hilton Head exit.... great tread but aged tire sidewall which also took out some expensive drivetrain wiring that kept them in the area for a week awaiting an expensive repair. Think I'll see what FR wants for a second spare and re-evaluate but respect the 5-6 year tire age guideline that you are following.....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lark Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 9:00am
Good points on tires, the main thing is maintaining proper tire pressure.  The tires even at 50 psi are not rated much above actual load for the 179.  With a single axle, it's important to keep a close watch.  A blow out. besides causing a tough time maintaining control will also damage the fender and cabin. 
 
Lark   F-150 R-179
Lark
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Blue Highways Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 10:19am
Would you recommend upgrading the tire load range when replacing?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote furpod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 1:05pm
We went to "D"s when we replaced.

How many miles are you putting on a year? We had about 20K on ours, tread still looked great.
Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie.
'11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295FurPodsMods
'17 Ford F250 CCSB
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Blue Highways Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 1:42pm
We did an Alaska Highway Run that included the Oregon Coast, Crater Lake, Idaho Mountains and across to North Carolina, so 7700 miles so far. Tires didn't wear as much as I thought, but once I reach 10K, following next summer, was originally thinking of getting new ones on the axle. These tires took a lot of punishment as far as sidewall flexing over Alcan Highway frost heaves and other portions of sharp gravel construction zones. But they may have another 8 - 10 K possible, as they were manufactured in Spring 16, but were not on the road until the first of September. They have gotten a workout... no glass smooth paved roads for most of their life..... Furpod, you've really spent some road time with your 177, and the Expedition is a very capable TV.

I am thinking that I want a fresh bearing pack and brake adjust before the next larger road trip. Not sure about the life expectancy of the original "wearable" trailer brake parts. I know that there are magnets involved.

Mods: rear black hose carrier box with integrated third brake light LED.
Other more traditional mods borrowed from the community.

Brad & Layli
The Wanderpod
"BG" (aka Baleuga) the blue 10 Tundra


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote furpod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2016 at 1:30pm
The magnets are easy to check without disassembly, just hook up, carry a compass back there and hold it near the wheel, bottom, as close to the drum as possible. Have some one step on the brakes.. the compass will react. (truck needs to be running)

EDIT: also, after rereading this thread.. if you do need new tires on the axle, and anticipate using them up at the 2.5 year rate, just leave the factory spare on there until the 2nd tire change. I agree with the hate of wasted resources.. but it's "insurance", a resource I hope to never need or use.
Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie.
'11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295FurPodsMods
'17 Ford F250 CCSB
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Blue Highways Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 10:31am
Thanks for you input, FurPod ....
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