Community Forums

volks1963 · 09-11-2019, 01:56 PM

How many people check the pressure in the spare tires on the tow vehicle and trailer before leaving on a trip? On my truck it is mounted under the frame and getting to it is a little hard. The spare on the trailer is a little easier.

Brad Wilf · 09-11-2019, 03:09 PM

I do, on both trailer and TV. Might be a PITA to get to the tv spare...but it's better than being stuck, especially in the middle of nowhere.

I usually always have a small 12v compressor with me "just in case"

Jon_C · 09-11-2019, 04:56 PM

I have a viair compressor onboard so can air it up if needed. I do make sure its not flat every so often but its inside my thru bay and I won’t take it out unless needed , hopefully never...

Mark_K5LXP · 09-11-2019, 06:55 PM

I have enough sensors for my TPMS to monitor every tire, including spares. Not a replacement for laying eyes on it from time to time but a good indicator that it's still there, and still full.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

jergle · 09-12-2019, 06:55 AM

I check the spare on the truck about twice a year. For whatever reason, seems like most vehicles I've had with the spare under the frame come from the factor with the valve stem pointed UP. I always take it down and remount it with the valve stem pointed down, so I can check the air without having to drop the spare. I check all the tires on the trailer at the beginning of the season, and again before any long trips.

Brad Wilf · 09-12-2019, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jergle

I check the spare on the truck about twice a year. For whatever reason, seems like most vehicles I've had with the spare under the frame come from the factor with the valve stem pointed UP. I always take it down and remount it with the valve stem pointed down, so I can check the air without having to drop the spare. I check all the tires on the trailer at the beginning of the season, and again before any long trips.

Ditto on flipping spare.

Itchytoe · 09-12-2019, 02:52 PM

I'm averaging 1 spare tire usage per 12 years. One blow out around 2001 on a little car I had just after high school, and a slow leak from unknown source in a pickup truck on I-10 in San Antonio around 2013. At that rate, I'm not due for another one until 2025. Maybe I'll hit some bad luck and need one, but it's more likely that my spare tires will be replaced based on age before I'll use one of them. It's cheaper for me to just call one of those mobile tire guys to change the tire than to keep replacing aged out spares.

stvaughn · 09-13-2019, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_K5LXP

I have enough sensors for my TPMS to monitor every tire, including spares. Not a replacement for laying eyes on it from time to time but a good indicator that it's still there, and still full.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

I hadn’t thought about putting a sensor on my spare tire which is mounted underneath the trailer. Thanks for the tip.

billyw · 09-14-2019, 12:36 PM

I've aired up an almost empty spare using a bicycle style foot pump before. It took about a half hour, the pump was hot, and my legs were spent, but the tire was aired up and usable.

Mr_D · 09-14-2019, 12:53 PM

Only spare I can carry is for my Jeep. MH ones are far too large and heavy. Drive tires are 315/80, tag and front are 365/70.

Snomas1 · 10-25-2019, 08:23 AM

I check my tires all the time before a trip and during the trip. I put an extension on my under the TT spare so I can easily check it.

TT_TR250RDS · 10-25-2019, 09:32 AM

All of my spares are full size. Truck and trailer.

I rotate my spare into my tire rotation mix. The truck is every 10k miles trailer is every 2k miles.

I always check tire pressure before leaving on a trip. Be sure to check cold and factor for the increase in pressure once the tire warms up.

theflake · 10-26-2019, 07:02 AM

I bought an external TPMS system on Amazon for $50. It monitors the tire pressure and temperature, showing them on a monitor on the truck dashboard. You can set warning points for both pressure and temperature.

I tested the accuracy with a good digital gauge, and it is within 1-2°. Close enough!

Jshopes81 · 10-26-2019, 03:43 PM

I check my tv pretty regularly, every time i drive it (every few months) and check the trailer tires at the start of a trip then when the next time we pull over to see if anythings got a leak.