Mismatched Spare Tire

ScottG

It has always been obvious that the spare that came with my T@B was very different from the "regular" tires. I never gave it much thought, but I recently noticed that not only is the tread different, but the spare is a bias ply tire while the others are radials. My guess is that nuCamp (Pleasant Valley Trailers at the time) had some extra tires at the time that got called into service as spares...

Isn't there some rule about not mixing bias and radial plies on the same vehicle? Realistically, how much of problem could this present if I were forced to used the spare for long distances at highway speeds?

Are T@Bs still being shipped with mismatched spares?

Sharon_is_SAM

Our 2017 spare is on a cheaper wheel, but the tire itself matches the other two.

Denny16

The spare tire/tyre on our 2018 TaB 400, while on a steel wheel is the same tire/tyre as the ones on the trailer.
cheere

CrabTab

@ScottG, the short answer is the bias ply tire will run hotter.
You are correct that this usually isn't done on the same axle.

Edit: You may also find that the two tires have a different circumference (referred as stagger in racing), which would tend to steer the trailer towards the smaller tire.

Bayliss

@ScottG, this pretty much echo's the input provided by @CrabTab, but here's some info I posted in a previous discussion:

"D" = tires that are built with criss-crossed plies and are commonly referred to as bias-constructed tires, or bias-ply.  They are less flexible and more prone to overheating.

"R" = radial tire construction, which is the industry standard for most tires.  Radial tires are what you want to use.

You should not mix radial tires with bias-ply tires, at least not for longer distance travel.  As a temporary fix (e.g., for a short trip to a repair facility) they will be OK, but the two tires track and wear differently.   (Also, the "D" tire may have a wider side wall, which might possibly rub against the inside wheel well.)

ScottG

Yep, the "D" vs "R" was what tipped me off. I never paid much attention to the codes until I was recently ordering new tires for my utility trailer.

I'll not likely lose much sleep over it at the moment, but it did cross my mind that relying on that mismatched spare for major road trip might have unintended consequences.

Sounds like nuCamp has used up the (presumed) old tire supply and is now shipping T@Bs with matched sets.

GatorEgg

Most spares are considered just that.  Look at most spares in cars.  A little almost useless donut.  The spare should be used just to get you to the nearest repair facility.  

Now on the other hand.  Many years ago I had a car with a donut spare.  After using it on a highway change I decided never again.  I drive vehicles vehicles with five identical tires.  Or I make them that way.  Also, my trailers are the same, all identical tires.  I also carry a tire plug kit (used last June in the Smokies)  and two cans of tire Slime -fix a flat.

ScottG

I'm with you, @GatorEgg! However (as you imply), it's nice to have spare that can serve the same function as your regular wheel/tire.

ChanW

@GatorEgg, I don't think I've ever used a tire plug kit, although I do remember seeing one being used.
Is it as easy as I remember? Just goo up the plug and push it in? Or do you have to enlarge the hole first?
I'd rather avoid the green slime if I can, since it makes such a mess for the tech when it comes to changing the tire.

GatorEgg

Tire plugging not hard, but sometimes essential.  You almost have it.  Push all the way in, pull partially back out.  Yes, tire slime/fix-a-flat is a last resort.  No spare tire, can’t borrow one, can’t order one,  tire plug won’t work....

ScottG

Most plug kits include a reamer that is used to enlarge (or at least round out) the hole. There are also different kinds of plugs--mushroom type and "sticky strings" being the most common--which may have different installation procedures.