I just had a set of Toyo Open Country A/T tires (285/75 R17) put on my truck including a spare. My truck has a Putnam XDR hitch so there is less room behind the bumper then stock. The only way I can fit the spare in the stock location is to let the air out. I always carry a compressor so I figure I can just air it up when and if needed? I tow a fifth wheel now and then so I wanted a matching spare. I'm looking for a fifth stock alloy for the spare so I can rotate it with the others. The wheel won't fit in the bed with my Superglide hitch while towing. Even though I don't use the Putnam's capacity anymore (sold my tow trailer) I'd hate to take it off.

1. Will it damage my tire to leave it empty?

2. Will it make a difference if it's only the time between tire rotations? (each tire would be empty during it's turn as the spare)

3. Is there a bolt on OEM hitch that could be installed now that I cut the original off to install the Putnam?

just thinking about the options,
Thanks for your help.

 

Shouldn't be a problem if the bead doesn't break. If the bead breaks from the rim you can have a heck of a time trying to air it back up.

MikeyB

 

Years ago my dad had a flat, and found the spare had gone flat, too. The spare had apparently been flat for a while, and bits of rock and grit had woked into the bead so he wasn't able to inflate it with a pump...

Fortunately someone picked him up and gave him a ride to the next exit, and a tire shop had to dismount the spare to clean the bead up and reseat it so it would hold air...


Anyway, I'd be concerned about road debris working into the bead from storing a deflated tire under the truck, and not being able to air it up when you need it.

 

Since you can store tires for years off the rims without damage (out of the sun of course) it shouldnt be a problem. Like MikeyB said--setting the bead could be a problem if it breaks.

 

do not try this at home, but keep a can of good starting fluid and a book of matches in the truck at all times, if the bead does get off the rim, a shot of ether and a match will re seat it, then quick on the airline and fill er the rest of the way.

 

Thanks for the replies, The tire shop said these tires were some of the hardest they had seen to get the bead to seat so I wouldn't think that will be a problem but I do see where it could be.
We used to have a sand rail so I know all about the starting fluid bead seater. I kind of have a habit of checking my spare before a trip with the trailer but now I won't have to, I already know it's flat. I'm hoping to rotate the spare so it wouldn't be left unchecked for long periods of time.

 

Once the bead is set it won't just fall off. It takes a lot of pressure and a big POP to get it set. No problem letting the air out and pumping it up later.

Setting the bead with either, or gas, is an old Mexican trick. Used when way out in the desert after hitting a rock, or to just change a tire. The tire shop even did it on my Raptor because the tires were so stiff.

I love those desert fixes. Like the arc welder made from a five gallon bucket, rebar and jumper cables. Cool.

John

 

if the bead comes off try a ratchet strap, around the middle of the tire , crank it down this should push out the sides to the bead, I usew this method for ATV and tractor tires.

 

Been there done that. A couple of times I had to stand the tire up tighten the strap and smack the top of the tire with a BIG hammer while pumping air. When in the boonies you do what you gotta do.