spare tire.

[The Bone]

I had a issue with a bent axle and I just wanted to let everyone know that if you don't rotate your spare into the mix it will get hard. I had a issue and when I put the spare on and it got hard just sitting under the RV. If you put it on the trailer during a rotation that will keep is soft and able to flex. I know not many have a wheel like the ones on the trailer but It would be worth the cost to buy one so you can rotate the spare into the mix.

 

[foldbak]

Humm.....any tire guy will tell you not to introduce a new tire into the rotation. The spare tire will age out just like any tire. It's there for an emergency only, not a replacement. I blew a tire and grabbed my spare and found ware marks on the sidewall from the retention hardware rendering the tire useless. I think for your suggestion to work, you would have to rotate on a very regular and shorter then recommended basis which if I'm not mistaken is 5000 miles?

 

[Pathfinder75]

Well I feel rotation is best for me. YES I did replace original E-rated tires shortly ofter first year of use with 5 G-rated tires and a matching spare rim for rotating.
Once a year grease bearing/suspension/tire inspection while doing rotation which has been just past 5K miles each year. That means after fifth year each tire has rolled 20K miles and not 25K. Now one year I felt brakes should be serviced so I chose to upgrade to Disc. I feel good about that portion of trailer suspension and tire wear doing complete yearly inspection and service. Thinking tires are about to age out and will be replacing in 2023 now they have been used 5 years. Never had a blowout or flat so there I have been lucky. Brother has owned 5th wheel two years longer had 4 blowouts. Replaced with G-rated 4 years back. We had to replace one tire when we serviced his electric brakes found one tire with chuck missing from hitting road debris. Now with E-rated tires he may had another blowout.
IMHO I choose to believe good service will give good performance.
Now if I can decide the lifetime for Springs they may be next. Especially if I choose to inspect/replace spring bushings next spring.Greaseable bolts think were 4 years ago.
Wish you safe travels.

 

[Daryles]

I used the spare this summer after a blow out (road debris).
The problem I had was when I put the bad tire back up, the tire fell back down. Apparently something in the spare tire carrier cable pulley system broke.
I took the carrier down after we got home and it looks like it's not reparable. After they assembled it they tack welded the top cover on.
I'm looking at this for a replacement.

BAL 28218 Hide-A-Spare Tire Storage - I-Beam Underslung Mount https://a.co/d/c93D35B

 

[AZ Traveler]

I typically replace all 5 tires every 3-4 years even if the spare has never been on the ground. Cheap insurance.

 

[Pathfinder75]

I used the spare this summer after a blow out (road debris).
The problem I had was when I put the bad tire back up, the tire fell back down. Apparently something in the spare tire carrier cable pulley system broke.
...........I'm looking at this for a replacement.
BAL 28218 Hide-A-Spare Tire Storage - I-Beam Underslung Mount https://a.co/d/c93D35B

The BAL carrier is what I have. I believe both types can have issues. I should have added a safety chain this year when I dropped coroplastic. I fear like all steel it could develope internal corrosion and break. CARRIER Still looks good 6 YEARS latter though. Had to cut retaining bolt off at about 1 year from new as it corroded and unable to unscrew black knob. Not what i would want to deal with along the interstae. Consider using stainless bolt with antisieze. GOOD REASON to remove and inspect yearly.
I place Tire face down so valve stem is available to check pressure. I have seen a braided hose that can be added so it can be check from a distance. Bit pricey when I looked them up but is a good answer if you don't want to crawl under trailer.
Some people have issues with the two tubes putting dents into side walls, so be sure it is spaced so that pressure is moderate. Carrier has two bolts to secure tire. Maybe 4 or 5 years latter itire dents may look worse if it's never removed.
There are replacement tire cable lifts and like my Ford truck they ussually have a chain safety in event that cable breaks. Think safety chain good idea either way.

 

[dieselguy]

The spare tire is a must have for one of those hopefully few times needed to replace a flat while out on the road. I've always treated a spare tire as just that ... a spare. Other than keeping it properly inflated, I'm not going to fret much over it because it's going right back under the camper as soon as I get the flat repaired. Trailer tires are on neither drive nor steer axles so really there's no need for rotation that I can figure out. Most trailer spares are steel wheels and I'm not going to buy an aluminum wheel to match the other four just so the spare matches for those few miles it's on the road. As for the talk of chains for a safety measure concerning the spare tire carrier underneath the frame, most of us have simply used a nylon ratchet strap for years as it is a little more forgiving on the tire itself and in my opinion way easier to apply.