Spare Tire Cover?
 

Aside from whether you like the appearance of them, what kind of protection do they offer, especially from road salt? Do they protect the wheel, or just hold the moisture in and worsen the corrosion? Personally, I would likely remove it for the summer months, as I prefer the looks of the wheel and tire. Anyone with longer term experience?

Re: Spare Tire Cover?
 

I guess whatever turns your wheel.. I personally have a 33x12.5r15 LT mud tire sitting on my rear rack wide open for the world to see, its a little more intimidating when cars want to tail gate you and realize they just might kiss ur spare tire..:) Covering it would probably keep the sun off it so it doesn't dry up, but I wud say if you lived in a very hot climate area one might go for it.

Re: Spare Tire Cover?
 

I just got my first jeep back in July and a few experts told me not to bother with the cover, a few tips they also add was in the summer spray on a tire dressing on it once in awhile. Also when it comes time to rotate your tires make sure they do a five tire rotation.

Re: Spare Tire Cover?
 

1. never thought about the '5 tire rotation thing' I guess it makes sense...
2. I bought the MOPAR 'Sahara' logo black tire cover...I think it looks cool, with my black Sahara with the shiny black hardtop...I sprayed the tire and wheel with tire conditioner/preservative before I put the cover on...It's open at the back, so I think that any water will evaporate out...
3. I also have the 'McGard' locks on all wheels...including the spare...but, I'm actually more worried about someone tearing off the nice new tire cover!!!

Re: Spare Tire Cover?
 

I was worried about people stealing my softtop windows and stuff, Jeep parts are alot of money, so I installed a viper alarm with a proximity sensor, so if they try to start taking my window panels off at least an alarm will sound, might scare them off its bloody loud.

Re: Spare Tire Cover?
 

Just received my black wheel cover with black "JEEP" and it looks pretty good. Was concerned because of all the salt on the roads here with the mild weather. I guess I can pull the cover and wash behind it, and maybe spray some wax on the wheel as well, to slow down any corrosion. I also got some wheel locks to slow down the thieves. I think they should be included as standard equipment since that spare is pretty tempting.

Re: Spare Tire Cover?
 

Winter on, Summer off. Tire rotation at my place includes spinning the spare.

Re: Spare Tire Cover?
 

Mine says "Fun is standard, pavement is optional" and it's colour coordinated. Definitely get a lock nut. Also rotate all five - I bought mine used, with 4 bald tires and one unused one on the back (??????). At $200+ per tire, I can't figure out why one wasn't used. All four tires should have about the same wear, so having an unusable full size spare is a waste.

Rotating the tires including the SPARE??
 

Well, actually there MIGHT be good reasons for NOT using the spare...Think about it:

1. rotating 4 tires is easier to figure out (I don't know how I'd rotate 5 tires...what sequence I'd use, for example)...maybe I'm just dumb?
2. the 'Duelers' that are on the late model Wranglers are easily found and probably will be for the future...therefore, keeping the 'spare' the spare - even through several 'new tire purchases' would work fine...It's not like the spare tire rubber will...well 'rot'...(will it?)
3. rotating all four tires would, at some point later into the wear cycle of the 5 tires, give you a pretty worn-out spare!

However, on the OTHER hand...I suppose two GOOD reasons to USE / ROTATE the spare would be:

a) to end up with 5 equally-worn tires at some point...and you then could try a NEW tire brand, without wasting the 'unsused' spare
b) avoid the odd handling that might result, if you have, let's say...1/2 worn tires - you have a flat and put on the brand new, deep tread spare...on the wheel with the flat.

Bottom line?: 6 of one / 1/2 dozen of the other...:smile:

Re: Rotating the tires including the SPARE??
 

Somewhere on one of these forum sites are the stories of what happens when you have a sidewall gash halfway through the tire life and just how much it costs to get 3 new tires to match your spare. Mine are all rotated, coming in front left. Of course, my Duratracs are so popular they are ALWAYS on backorder to the next production run. lol! It might also depend on how much off roading you expect to do. Or maybe I'm just cheap and just want to maximize my investment.