Ratcheted Tire in Stock Spare location.. Yes/No?

[jewishoverlander]

FB groups go back and forth, some say itll ruin the tire and others say it doesnt matter. Ive found theres lots of truly experienced people here, thought Id see what people think.
Im trying to find a used tire to put under there so I dont care if the tire gets ruined but 255/80 is not a common size so its been a struggle to find used.

2005 GX470, 285/70s are hit or miss, rarely fit new without a ratchet, 255/80 is a true 33.1" compared to mostly 32.7" and 32.8" so Id basically 100% need to ratchet it.

EDIT: Just to be clear, incase it wasn't, this is meaning to ratchet a tire tight enough to fit somewhere that it otherwise wouldn't fit, so ratcheting around 0.25-0.5" of diameter while being deflated enough to clear the pan and the hitch.

 

[jewishoverlander]

Also, if I cant find a 255/80, I can certainly find a 32" tire or a 285/70 - as far as GX being full time 4x4, which would be more ideal? A 32" tire with a bunch of 33" tires or a 32.7" tire with 11.4" width vs 10" width. I would think the smaller tire is better. over the 285/70.

 

[displacedtexan]

I've done it. It was fine.

 

[jewishoverlander]

I've done it. It was fine.

What about 1-2 years down the road and you finally need to use it? Still fine?

 

[displacedtexan]

I used that spare once, probably a year and a half later.

The only issue was getting it down was a little tougher than just using the stock winch setup.

 

[Regcabguy]

Mine's been ratched for years down there. I forgot to check the psi a couple of months ago and it had 22 psi. Oops. We could loosen up the ratchet and winch and just rotate the tire.

 

[billiebob]

completely ignorant here, what are ya' all talking about ?

 

[Deleted member 9101]

I've done it on a dozen trucks over the last 20 years. Never had a problem....buuut I also never tightened it down so much that it deformed the tire.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

completely ignorant here, what are ya' all talking about ?

Not my pic:

 

[highwest]

Not my pic:
View attachment 646368

I thought the OP was crazy to ratchet and winch the spare, but now I think I could use this on my trailer. Thanks @jewishoverlander!

 

[Superduty]

There are even ratchet straps designed specifically to hold spare tires. Macs Spare Tire Ratchet Strap

 

[jewishoverlander]

There are even ratchet straps designed specifically to hold spare tires. Macs Spare Tire Ratchet Strap

Yeah but look at the pics in the application, those aren't meant to squeeze the tire into a space it wouldnt fit without the strap. This is what I meant by OP I assume that was clear to most people. Strapping a tire is fine, having a tire that would not fit but you are deflating and then ratcheting it so that it fits is another story

 

[Herbie]

completely ignorant here, what are ya' all talking about ?

My read of OPs question was regarding the practice of putting a ratchet strap around the circumference of a partially depressurized tire in order to compress it so that it will fit into the OEM spare-tire space under the vehicle. (This assumes one is running tires that are substantially larger in diameter than OEM, and thus may not fit into the space when fully inflated.)

I'm aware of the practice, but my tires are only about +3" diameter over OEM and they fit the space just fine, even fully inflated, so I haven't had to monkey with it. I think I could get another inch or two in diameter before I had to worry about it, but I'd definitely have body clearance issues at the front axle first.

 

[jewishoverlander]

My read of OPs question was regarding the practice of putting a ratchet strap around the circumference of a partially depressurized tire in order to compress it so that it will fit into the OEM spare-tire space under the vehicle. (This assumes one is running tires that are substantially larger in diameter than OEM, and thus may not fit into the space when fully inflated.)

I'm aware of the practice, but my tires are only about +3" diameter over OEM and they fit the space just fine, even fully inflated, so I haven't had to monkey with it. I think I could get another inch or two in diameter before I had to worry about it, but I'd definitely have body clearance issues at the front axle first.

Excatly correct. GX470 can barely fit 285/70 which is 32.6-32.8 depending on make. My tire is 33.1 so almost for sure I cant make it. Would have to compress it!

 

[F350joe]

I have my 255/80 ratcheted into place on my gx470. Inflated, it rubs on the panhard. The center on the tire kisses the panhard. Using a strap, you can pull it away from the panhard if you let out some air and suck it into the rear cross member. The rear cross member is flat. For his reason that tire doesn’t get put into rotation. I intented to remove it after every trip and keep it fully inflated to avoid flat spots, Load E and AAA. It’s been there for a year, ill check it out next week when i prep for another trip. Curious to know myself.