Who runs a spare?

[Tony_SS]

I really don't want to, too much weight... but understand the need on a roadtrip. Just seeing who runs one.. thanks.

[steemin]

No spare for me.
I always carry my cell phone and my AAA card,.
Scott

[jjump59]

My first thought was "Spare what" then I saw you were talking about tires. None for me, thanks for asking though!

[monza]

Voted yes but only on long distance trips....

[ProBell]

No spare in my car, But most long trips are with Dan (68 sixspd) and he runs a spare. Randy

[Steve1968LS2]

I might measure a GTO spare and see how it fits as far at the calipers and heigth.. if it's a go (or I find some other type of space saver) then I will carry one in the back seat area on long trips.

Around town I have the GM fix-a-flat kit and AAA Premium Plus :)

[CraigMBA]

No spare.

[LMDGUY]

No spare.. but for a long trip I will have to figure something out.

[NOT A TA]

No spare except when on long trips (over 2 hours one way) then I put a stock rally II with same diameter tire in. Low profile aluminum race jack and boards to drive the flat tire up onto so I can get the jack under the car. If you have trouble getting a jack under your car when its got air in the tire just imagine how hard it will be flat!

The spare tire should be the same diameter as the rear so if you need to use it on the rear for an extended period your posi unit will live.

John

[eville]

I have a GTO spare. Haven't bolted it on to see how it fits tho. It would be a long distance spare. I have 100 miles of "roll back" with Hagerty.

[68BNUT]

No spare except when on long trips (over 2 hours one way) then I put a stock rally II with same diameter tire in. Low profile aluminum race jack and boards to drive the flat tire up onto so I can get the jack under the car. If you have trouble getting a jack under your car when its got air in the tire just imagine how hard it will be flat!

The spare tire should be the same diameter as the rear so if you need to use it on the rear for an extended period your posi unit will live.

John

That right there is some good advice. Im sure half of us have had to get the 2x4 out to get the car off the jack handle once or twice!!

[Mkelcy]

No spare (did that last year - too much weight bouncing around in the trunk) so going to run flats and a credit card with a high limit to replace them if needed.

[Yelcamino]

I have a full size spare mounted in the bed of my Elky. To top it off, it's a matching 18" Intro.

[dhardison]

I keep a '05-'06 GTO spare in the trunk. Fits well over the front and rear calipers/brakes and actually only weighs ~20-25lbs.

http://www.danhardison.com/GTOSpare/DSC02881.JPG

[Magntik]

No spare, no jack.....No room!!
Cell phone and AAA.

[68sixspeed]

No spare in my car, But most long trips are with Dan (68 sixspd) and he runs a spare. Randy

I figure that's why you keep asking me to go-- same rim and tire size! Lesson learned for all-- find a friend with the same size tires who carries a spare and follow them.

[Jim Nilsen]

2 cans of fix a flat are required for 235 and up size tires in most cases. I have never had a spare and have actually driven 30 miles once as fast as I reasonably could to make it from one gas station that couldn't even get the tire off to patch it correctly. I filled the tire to 45 psi and when I got to the tire dealer I still had 15 psi.

Slow leaks have been a bigger problem over the years for the most part,along with the time someone stole my caps off my valve stems and at 125mph I lost some air because the valve core got depessed by centrifugal force. So before doing any high speed driving always make sure you have the caps on tight!!!!

[Steve Chryssos]

I keep a '05-'06 GTO spare in the trunk. Fits well over the front and rear calipers/brakes and actually only weighs ~20-25lbs.

http://www.danhardison.com/GTOSpare/DSC02881.JPG

I don't run a spare, but I felt pretty stupid driving down to Florida and then running Power Tour 06. 2700 miles with no spare. Luckily we had Jason Huber and his dad shadowing the pack with a flatbed.

How does one go about getting a GTO spare without dredging thru junkyards. Is there a GM part number you can share? And does it look like I can drill the mounting holes to clear 1/2" wheel studs?

Now that my ful cell is flush mounted in my trunk, I want one.

[the camtender]

I never leave home without. Waiting on the side of a road(late at nite,in a nice car)for AAA to show,or a friend to help.OR carry a few extra lbs. and be on my way in 5 minutes.:hmm:

[the camtender]

I never leave home without. Waiting on the side of a road(late at nite,in a nice car)for AAA to show,or a friend to help.OR carry a few extra lbs. and be on my way in 5 minutes.:hmm:

[HILROD]

I ordered a matching standard 16 rim for my spare, when I ordered my other custom 17s. It clears my 13 bears, and the tire is just as tall as my rears. The spare mounting tab is moved from stock a little. The little weight it keeps in the rear is well worth the peice of mind.

[eville]

How does one go about getting a GTO spare without dredging thru junkyards. Is there a GM part number you can share? And does it look like I can drill the mounting holes to clear 1/2" wheel studs?


I got mine on Ebay. Hmmm.... I didn't even think about the 1/2" wheel studs. I'll let you know this weekend! I think I carried mine last weekend for not. :seizure:

[19topless69]

Gto spare for me from ebay's FPARTS. Around Chicago it
can be a 2-3hr wait for a flatbed and you don't always
get the flat in the best areas. My last flat was an unseen
12" deep pothole at night. Clears Touring Classic's front and
rears.

[toxicz28]

How does one go about getting a GTO spare without dredging thru junkyards. Is there a GM part number you can share? And does it look like I can drill the mounting holes to clear 1/2" wheel studs?


Here ya go Steve.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-06-Pontiac-GTO-Spare-Tire-Wheel-Rim-Space-Saver_W0QQitemZ250155878648QQihZ015QQcategoryZ4395 7QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-06-OEM-GTO-Mini-Spare-ALSO-97-04-Corvettes_W0QQitemZ300143839340QQihZ020QQcategoryZ 66483QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-05-06-Pontiac-GTO-spare-wheel-tire-tool-COMPLETE-OEM_W0QQitemZ220142305989QQihZ012QQcategoryZ43957Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

[Steve1968LS2]

Remember those jack-bags they had out.. the ones you hook to the exhaust and they fill up thus lifting the car. Did they work?

Seems like it would be easier to carry than a metal jack...

It's just a vague memory I had...

Will the GTO spare clear a 13-inch rotor with 6-piston calipers? with a spacer?

[Steve Chryssos]

Steve,
Sounds like a good quickie story for PHR. And call Budnik and have them run off some cheapie spare rims for use with the same tires as the GTO spare. If we owned a big enough CNC lathe, I'd be all over it.
/Steve

[Yelcamino]

The space saver spare is a 145/70R17 which translates to 25" diameter. If my rear tires are 27" tall, do you think the 2" difference would mess up the rear diff over a short distance (less than 50 miles)?

[BRIAN]

I was actually thinking of selling them but after this I am sure I will be beat to the punch. I had a deal for a ton of the later model GTO and Mustang stuff that would have worked for most applications.

The billet might actually weigh more than the steel.

Anybody want to but a pallet of spares??? Either that or my kids are going to have a bunch of new swings.

[Bow Tie 67]

I ran the power tour this year 2600 miles without a spare. On the way home I saw another 4th gen with a flat, needless to say I was on pins and needles for the next 500 miles. I did have a can of fix a flat.

I also would like to know if the GTO spare can accept 1/2" studs after modding. Also can someone tell me the height of the spare w/ tire?

[Yelcamino]

Also can someone tell me the height of the spare w/ tire?

Matt, based on the tire size (145/70R17) it should be 25" tall.

[Zee]

I have a spare left over from an 3rd Gen 1LE car I used to own. It is an aluminum wheel with a space saver tire and weights next to nothing. I have never used it and come to think about it, I'm not even sure if it is compatible with my lugnuts. Something to check over the weekend.

[Steve1968LS2]

The space saver spare is a 145/70R17 which translates to 25" diameter. If my rear tires are 27" tall, do you think the 2" difference would mess up the rear diff over a short distance (less than 50 miles)?

See, I have a 26" tall rear tire.. will 1" screw up the True Track rearend?

This might be a good quicky story.. hmmm... could call it "XXX"

Oh wait, I can't say my great title, other magazines read this site :secret:

lol

[Steve1968LS2]

And again.. we need a lightweight jack option that fits under lowered cars..

[MuscleRodz]

And again.. we need a lightweight jack option that fits under lowered cars..I saw just what you are looking for at Sears last night....a minature jack. About 3lbs, 8" long, aluminum, and was $25. :bananna2:

I have seen lightweight aluminum jacks that will fit under a 4" high rocker, but be prepared to shell out some SERIOUS $$$$ for a jack.

[MuscleRodz]

Street tires I will being running run flat tires rather than a spare.

Mike

[69bigblock]

I carry the GTO spare on long runs. I use my jack out of my 97 sable. Its small so its easier to carry... Also I got the spare in the junkyard for $60

[Sparky 1]

No spare, but I do carry a repair kit and a portable 12V compressor. The "rawhide" tire plugs have always worked very well for me.

I carry the same thing in my truck because getting my spare down is such a PITA. I was "lucky" enough to get 2 flats in the last two weeks and one was a pretty big hole! Found the hole and stuck the file tool in it - put the compressor on so I could get enough pressure in it to ram the plug tool in. Slipped the plug in, filled it up with air and I was ready to go! About 10 - 15 minutes from when I pulled over.

Mark

[Bow Tie 67]

See, I have a 26" tall rear tire.. will 1" screw up the True Track rearend?



I am wondering the same thing, and if it will how long would it take to mess it up?

[Yelcamino]

I am wondering the same thing, and if it will how long would it take to mess it up?

I wonder if it would be like driving in a never ending circle?

[PeteRR]

Full-size spare here. It's the identical tire and rim combo that's on all 4 corners. I welded a Wrangler spare tire bracket to the trunk floor to keep the spare from bouncing around. I also carry one of those Sears 2.5 ton floor jacks. It weighs a ton, but it helps with my rear wheel traction problem.

[Roger Poirier]

Street tires I will being running run flat tires rather than a spare.

Mike

Those tires are a ton of bricks. Do they even make them in the tire you need?

[Tiger]

I always carry a spare.
normally a tire shop here dont carry "our" size tires anyway.

André

[Steve Firebird]

I keep a '05-'06 GTO spare in the trunk. Fits well over the front and rear calipers/brakes and actually only weighs ~20-25lbs.

http://www.danhardison.com/GTOSpare/DSC02881.JPG
That is a good idea.I have 27" tall tires and 1/2 in lugs as well as some others here. I am wondering about fitment and hurting the posi uinit.

[a62belair]

I run a temp from a old Astro van, it is large diameter enough, and has 4-1/2 and 5 inch BP's. The newer ones only have 5" PB, so I grabbed 2 older ones from work when they were getting rid of them. The full size vans are even larger in diameter, but are 6 lug.

[BonzoHansen]

Remember those jack-bags they had out.. the ones you hook to the exhaust and they fill up thus lifting the car. Did they work?Don't know if they work, but they still sell them.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200335093_200335093

[Steve1968LS2]

Don't know if they work, but they still sell them.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200335093_200335093

Hmmm ... 8 lbs shipped... I wonder how compact.

This could be a good story.. spare and jack options..

[CliffS]

I run a full size spare and a small bottle jack, saved me last year on a long haul.

[aeroocoupe]

my rear tires don't fit in my trunk and i'm not going to put it on my back seat. The monte carlo aerocoupe have a big trunk but small trunk lid.

[mc84_zz4]

I have a temp spare, same overall diameter as my tires. I also carry at least 2 bottles of fix-a-flat.
I would rather change a tire at a location I choose, or get to drive it somewhere.
I may get a new full-size spare if I go on a long trip, but for driving around town the temp spare works good.

[mc84_zz4]

....
How does one go about getting a GTO spare without dredging thru junkyards. Is there a GM part number you can share?
You can usually find them on e-bay:
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=GTO+spare+tire&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[fantasygoat]

In 20 years of driving I've never had a flat tire while rolling. I've come out to find a slow leak, but never completely flat.

So, none of my cars have had spares.

[Rod]

Voted yes but I remove it at events and its an old school billet so it doesn't weigh much to begin with

[fbody_mike]

Yup, I have a 98-02 F-Body spare in my 2nd gen Firebird. That way it will clear the LS1 brakes. I also carry a small bottle jack too. They are in the trunk anytime the car is on the road. A can of fix a flat is a good idea too, but I used my last one up on my truck and need to replenish my supply.

For those who do not carry a spare, what happens when a tire goes down, I mean blows out? Will you just have AAA tow you to a shop and hope they will have the odd size pro-touring tires in stock? Granted, I know my space saver spare wont take me a bunch of miles but it is better than nothing.

[Taman]

I really don't want to, too much weight... but understand the need on a roadtrip. Just seeing who runs one.. thanks.

I have a 75 TA. Trunk space is at a premium. I have had not one flat on this car in the 17 years I have owned it. I carry a plug kit and a small 12v compressor. If a flat is that bad I call a flat bed. I did the Power Tour from Dallas to Green Bay without a spare. It helps to not run bald tires. For me that means a couple of sets a Summer.

[406 Q-ship]

No spare or jack (the 67 C10 came with a jack). Just like alot of others, AAA premium and a cell phone......and a knock on wood.

[DynoDon]

My 55 Chevy ran 33X16.50's on the back. I carried a front spare in the trunk, jack tools, etc.
Got a rear flat and jacked it up, dropped the coil over to get the tire off, out the small spare on, bolted everything together and put it on the ground.

Then I scratched my head and called a truck to come pick up the rear tire - it was too big for the trunk and the cage wouldn't let it go in the back seat area!

[Jay71]

Haven't had a spare in my car for 25 years, never had a flat either. Thought I was pushing my luck so I bought a spare from a GTO, threw it in the trunk and had a flat within a week.

[protour73]

Hmmm ... 8 lbs shipped... I wonder how compact.

This could be a good story.. spare and jack options..

Do it Steve!!
.
.
.I'm another one....no spare, just cell phone and the AAA Gold Premium card!!

[ratman67]

i plan to run an alum vette mini spare, don;t ever want my car coming home on a hook for a tire problem

[ratman67]

Haven't had a spare in my car for 25 years, never had a flat either. Thought I was pushing my luck so I bought a spare from a GTO, threw it in the trunk and had a flat within a week.

murphys law.lol

[thedodgeboys]

Im carrying a late model mustang 18 inch space saver donut spar tire to get me home or to a tire store on long trips and a scissor jack.

[Derek69SS]

I carry a Cell Phone, AAA card, Fix-A-Flat, and a handgun for protection while I wait. :machine:

[1red68]

no spare....
but Dad has a tire shop and it's my duty as a 39 year old son too still have to yell for help.... :)

[JEFFTATE]

I keep a spare in the '69 Camaro ( trunk space) , but not in the Z06 ( no space ).

With the Camaro , I figure , " It's better to have it and not need it , than to need it and not have it ".
Also , I don't want to be stuck on the side of the road , waiting on a tow truck , if I don't have too.
Plus , it can save me money.

With the Z06 , I don't have much choice , but to be at the mercy of a tow truck driver.

[Jim Nilsen]

I keep a spare in the '69 Camaro ( trunk space) , but not in the Z06 ( no space ).

With the Camaro , I figure , " It's better to have it and not need it , than to need it and not have it ".
Also , I don't want to be stuck on the side of the road , waiting on a tow truck , if I don't have too.
Plus , it can save me money.

With the Z06 , I don't have much choice , but to be at the mercy of a tow truck driver.


You never have to be at the mercy of a tow truck driver if you have the right attitude. You can still tell them to politely leave you to the hands of another company.

Always remember to tell them they need straps and not chains along with some boards for a ramp up for the spoiler. Most places will know what's up when you tell them it is a Vette but when they got to my car they didn't realize,lol that it was a Vette. I almost sent the tow guy home until he found the straps and changed his attitude. Once you let them take control when you know how to do it and see it going wrong and don't say anything ,you will be mad at yourself for all of the damage that occurs.

Being towed can be a pleasurable experience aside from the reasons you're there.

I look forward to seeing you at the MSC if you head up in June.

[Wesley J]

1 can of green goop, a small air compressor (cig lighter type) and a plug kit.

[Bigblue73]

Better yet - does your spare match the wheels on your car. Is that taking it to far? LOL
Seriously, I won't leave home without a spare. Where I live there are to many "dead zones" and to few stops on the interstate.

[claytonisbob]

I just realized this thread was bumped from 3 years back lol. I got a GTO spare that will clear my C6 brakes. I guess if you had some really big brakes, finding a spare to fit would probably be impossible.

I don't recon most tire shops stock 315/35-17's, and I don't know how far AAA would actually tow tow me if I were to have a flat in bfe. But if I was in the middle of nowhere and I had to rely on a local tire shop to order my tires and I had to wait, screw that I quit.

I have had tires blow out, tires that were relatively new. I've picked up a nail right on the outside edge of the tire that leaked out in 5 minutes and couldn't be patched either. A donut should take me to the nearest major city I could probably find tires when on a trip. One of these days I'll try to get a full size spare just for trips and keep the space saver for all other times.

[Rhino]

I don't recon most tire shops stock 315/35-17's, and I don't know how far AAA would actually tow tow me if I were to have a flat in bfe. But if I was in the middle of nowhere and I had to rely on a local tire shop to order my tires and I had to wait, screw that I quit.
.
This is one reason I limited my wheel selection to 10" and below for both front and back. If need be, I can get by with a much wider selection of tires. 275's are readily available in most areas and will easily fit on my rim.
The car's not on the road yet, but I also plan on using a GTO spare as well.

[JChilders]

I started carrying a spare since a pothole bent my rims. 2 hours from I had to buy a wheel to make it home. One of these days I will be smart enough to put a jack in the trunk too.

[ELVIS_PRESLEY]

I keep a spare in the '69 Camaro ( trunk space) , but not in the Z06 ( no space ).

With the Camaro , I figure , " It's better to have it and not need it , than to need it and not have it ".
Also , I don't want to be stuck on the side of the road , waiting on a tow truck , if I don't have too.
Plus , it can save me money.

With the Z06 , I don't have much choice , but to be at the mercy of a tow truck driver.

That quote is straight out of Lonesome Dove.

[JEFFTATE]

That quote is straight out of Lonesome Dove.

Lonesome Dove was great !
Robert Duvall and Tommy lee Jones were priceless in that mini-series .

That quote is common here in the South .