Do we have a problem?

[Effie]

The other day I removed the spare wheel to take care of some surface rust on the bumper. While mounting it back I noticed that some force is needed to get it flush with the mounting plate. I took the wheel down and found what you can see in the pictures, the result of pressure on the tire from the steel upright piece that makes up the tire holder. The tire is the original never used spare that came with my 19, sitting in the back of my Escape for three years. I know I removed it before but somehow missed it. So do we have a problem? I say we because I can’t be the only one with this issue.

[Perry Butler]

I found the same indentation on our spare. I now have a couple of washers installed to keep the tire away from the bracket. However, the real question is, does this affect the reliability of the tire? I don’t know, but that tire has been on our camper for the past 2,000 miles and hasn’t exploded yet.

We’re leaving for two months of biking/hiking/visiting relatives in Europe in two days. Some time next fall I’ll be replacing two tires, so that tire will be mounted on the spare tire holder again.

Enjoy,

Perry

[escape artist]

We've had 3 fiberglass trailers and even with a flat tire once never used the spare. I've seen many tires in service that have wobbles in the sidewall with no problems. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[MVA]

Sidewall blowout is nasty when it happens. Rapid depressurization, and for the Escape trailer, potentially damage to the fiberglass. I would replace it. For a spare tire, you could go with a lower cost tire.

2 cents

[DT6]

I would agree. Any indentation compromises the underlying support. If it were an emergency, I might use it if I had nothing else, but I'd keep my speed down to 30mph until I could get to a tire store.

I like MVA's recommendation to use a cheap tire for a spare. I recently purchased a new set of Carlisle tires and while shopping I found a few options for cheaper tires. I passed on them for my main set, but I'd be okay getting a cheap one for a spare.

[cpaharley2008]

"Words of caution"
While we are mentioning "spares" as spare tires, please double check your spare tire. My Ram stock spare was a donut and not rated for towing. I now carry a full sized tire/wheel in my truck bed.

[John in Santa Cruz]

yeah, next tire change, my F250 gets a new spare, as I'm going to be doing a very long mexico trip in 2024, I want 5 new, and the best-of-old as a extra unmounted spare just in case. current tires (BFG KO2 265/75R16 load range E) were new in early 2019

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Perry Butler

I found the same indentation on our spare. I now have a couple of washers installed to keep the tire away from the bracket.

Perry

Ditto on my 19. And on my 21 until I mounted it under the tongue.

Because it's unused for the last 3 years and it might age out and never be used I'd keep it and if it's ever needed drive at a reduced speed and decide then if you're going to buy new tires and what combination of new tires.

If it is used for a bit it'd be interesting to see if the depression came out. Tires are pretty tough and that depression wasn't caused by an extreme impact.

Ron

[gbaglo]

See this site for explanation of cause.
https://www.tires-easy.com/blog/vall...tire-sidewall/

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

See this site for explanation of cause.
https://www.tires-easy.com/blog/vall...tire-sidewall/

Hi: gbaglo... Thanks for the explanation. I'm not overweight I just have sidewall undulations!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Effie]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Ditto on my 19. And on my 21 until I mounted it under the tongue.

Because it's unused for the last 3 years and it might age out and never be used I'd keep it and if it's ever needed drive at a reduced speed and decide then if you're going to buy new tires and what combination of new tires.

If it is used for a bit it'd be interesting to see if the depression came out. Tires are pretty tough and that depression wasn't caused by an extreme impact.

Ron

Yes I'd be interested in this myself but I'm not going to experiment with safety.
Another easily avoidable $100 expense

[RBRV]

Originally Posted by Effie

The other day I removed the spare wheel to take care of some surface rust on the bumper. While mounting it back I noticed that some force is needed to get it flush with the mounting plate. I took the wheel down and found what you can see in the pictures, the result of pressure on the tire from the steel upright piece that makes up the tire holder. The tire is the original never used spare that came with my 19, sitting in the back of my Escape for three years. I know I removed it before but somehow missed it. So do we have a problem? I say we because I can’t be the only one with this issue.

I checked my spare today and there was a very subtle mark so I stacked. 2 washers on each stud but it was still touching. I then reversed the way it was mounted and found that gave complete clearance still using the washers.

[Doug2000]

You had better rotate your tire. Maybe once a year turn your spare 72 degrees. I'm not going to worry about it.

Would I use a spare with an indent. In an emergency, yes.

I think I have an emergency. I stopped at the McDonalds and the way to storage. I have a nail in my tire. It's is going to have to wait.

[John in Santa Cruz]

I'm sorta wishing my tug and trailer shared wheel sizes so they could share spares... except the tug takes LT265/75R16 'E'. which would be a bit much for an escape.

[brroberts]

I have the start of the spare tire sidewall dent. I added thick washers. It still touches, but barely. I thought about turning it some, but like the valve at the bottom so I only have to partially lift the cover to check pressure.