Spare Tire Cover Rusting tire Rim

Chapitre · 08-19-2013, 03:22 PM

We took our spare tire cover off to have a look at the tire, the cover had mold spores and appeared to be holding condensation and this there was some rust on the rim.
Has anyone else had the same issue?
Do most keep the cover on or off?
Suggestions?

dave macrae · 08-19-2013, 03:28 PM

Having grown up in Nova Scotia I would sugest that there isn't much one can do to stop anything from rusting there.

I would suspect you would be better off without the cover on alowing it to dry out as much as posible. I loved living there but I sure don't miss the rust.

MyronL · 08-19-2013, 04:52 PM

So when I pick up our 19 in a few weeks will it come with the spare tire cover? Their website pix shows one installed but there's no mention in the options or features tab.

Though I really like the red maple leaf logo could I get an oak leaf cluster instead?

gbaglo · 08-19-2013, 05:02 PM

Google it. You can get just about any design you want on a tire cover.

Dave Walter · 08-19-2013, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Google it. You can get just about any design you want on a tire cover.

The maple leaf cover came standard with our Escape. If you want something different, you may have to purchase it yourself or pay Escape extra for it.

KarenH · 08-19-2013, 09:55 PM

I just asked for a plain black tire cover when placing my order...

ddevin · 08-20-2013, 12:02 AM

Very nice and classy!

Chapitre · 08-20-2013, 06:09 AM

I posted looking for thoughts on wether to keep the tire cover on or not-
Is it necessary? I realize it's better for the tire but certainly isn't helping the rim.
It really wasn't about the color of the cover- do most of you keep the cover on? Any problems with the rim?

Kountrykamper · 08-20-2013, 07:08 AM

Most Covers will always collect moisture when left exposed to the elements. The problem is there is no way for the moisture to get out once inside. Make sure you put the part that overlaps on the bottom facing down and I usually take a pair of sissors and cut out few inches on the bottom where it overlaps to expose about 6" of tire where it faces the ground. This allows somewhere for the water to drain instead of being sealed up inside the cover. If you could find a breathable one instead of a vinyl it would be better but I have not found one.

Jrn56 · 08-20-2013, 08:24 AM

Has anyone ordered the aluminum rim for the spare. Maybe that would have been a good idea.

Kountrykamper · 08-20-2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrn56

Has anyone ordered the aluminum rim for the spare. Maybe that would have been a good idea.

I would be more concerned with the tire being wet all the time and rotting then with rust on the rim. I took the cover off a new tire after being on for a year and the tire scared me more when I saw discoloration of the rubber. It had changed to a gray color where it had been wet for so long.

MyronL · 08-20-2013, 09:00 AM

I had one on my spare for a long time. Took it off only once, to do maintenance to the shell, check on the tire condition, etc., and found it had become an unpleasant catch basin for rainwater and subsequent insectual manifestations.

Threw it out, snapped a Baby Moon onto the rim. Never looked back.

dave macrae · 08-20-2013, 09:55 AM

the other option is a galvanized wheel as a spare. these are used on boat trailers, not all that pretty but won't rust.

Glennrose · 08-20-2013, 01:04 PM

Yup, based on this thread we went out to check our otherwise flawless 19er.

Found significant mold on the inside of the spare tire cover. Yikes!
Rim was in excellent condition and tire had 40 lbs of pressure in it.

One more thing to add to the check list!

Jubal · 08-20-2013, 02:50 PM

Good foresight KarenH.
We have to remove the tire cover and dry it out every time it rains or leave it off as water collects in the bottom. The tire is drawn up against the vertical support and the bottom of the tire cover will not go over the bottom of the tire. The horizontal bar needs to be longer.
Removing some material from the bottom of the tire cover is a good idea. Thank you.

dave macrae · 08-21-2013, 04:27 PM

Has anyone relocated the spare tire under the tounge area ? I was wondering if would hang down too far. having it off of the back would be nice.

Brian B-P · 08-22-2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave macrae

the other option is a galvanized wheel as a spare. these are used on boat trailers, not all that pretty but won't rust.

I think that's an excellent idea.

gbaglo · 08-22-2013, 01:10 PM

If the galvanized wheel isn't all that pretty, why not just spray the wheel with Tremclad? It's under a cover anyway.

Brian B-P · 08-22-2013, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

If the galvanized wheel isn't all that pretty, why not just spray the wheel with Tremclad?

It looks like this can work, but use Tremclad's Galvanized White Rust Primer first. It will never have a nice finish by automotive standards, but maybe it won't rust and will look okay with the right colour choice.

FMLNM · 08-22-2013, 07:58 PM

We'll have to make sure to check on our new spare tire cover...We did put a layer of dry cleaner's plastic between the tire and the cover...the spare tire cover maker said it would prevent the tire from staining the cover....
The original black cover that we removed was filled with water when we picked up the trailer in Chilliwack in July but had not grown any mold.....
Not too much moisture here on New Mexico...

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