Looking for Non Collapsable Spare Tire Options

[wrxnofx]

I’ll be driving from Minneapolis to Rennsport Reunion this Fall, and am looking for a spare tire option that does NOT use the collapsable spare for a more legit option just in case a flat happens. Car is an ‘87 Carrera.

I have seen guys use a narrower Fuchs with an actual tire, but I also want the thing to fit into the fuel tank indentation.

Lay it on me, community - what are my options?

[Canada Kev]

That'll be a great trip to be sure.

As for the tire, it'd have to be the same size as the collapsed factory spare to fit into the spare tank indent. I don't think you have any way around that. I think a full size 25" diameter tire mounted to a 6" Fuchs would still fit in the trunk, so that's an option, but there won't be a lot of additional room for luggage and whatnot.

I think also that a tire plug kit, some fix a flat and a compressor would suffice. That and your collapsible spare should get you to a place that could fix your flat or sell you a new tire if necessary and mount it to complete your journey.

[Jonny042]

Kev is right - the additional crash protection structure in the front tub takes up the space you need to fit a full size tire. On the upside, there is room for the jack.

[wrxnofx]

Okay, stupid question then - if I inflate my spare at home to verify it works, will it shrink back down when I let the air out of it?

[rwest]

Originally Posted by wrxnofx

Okay, stupid question then - if I inflate my spare at home to verify it works, will it shrink back down when I let the air out of it?

Yes, I did mine several years ago to check it out and it deflated to shape.

One other thing you might check is if it will actually fit on your car; depending on how your wheels and suspension may have been upgraded over the years, the spare may be too tall to fit.

[Canada Kev]

I think the inflated diameter of the collapsible spare isn't quite the same as the regular tires, so if you get a flat on the rear, put your spare up front and move your front to the rear. I'm not a hundred percent on this so others should chime in if I'm wrong.

[wareaglescott]

What is the life of this type spare? If it sits in the car for 30+ years is there any chance you can inflate and drive eon it without it being dry rotted at the seam?

[Canada Kev]

Two years ago I used mine. I inspected it carefully for cracking and visible deterioration of the rubber. It looked good, but I was nervous as hell about using it. I kept my speed down and drove carefully and kept the radio off so I could hear any weird little noises. I got home let the air out and put it back in the trunk. It worked flawlessly for 400 kms. I had two backup plans if the tire failed before I got home, actually three depending on where I might have a failure. I didn't need any of them.

If used in a situation where the options look less appealing, these spares are good. But I stress that you should provide yourself with options before using a thirty year old tire. Mine is always in the trunk out of light. It's cool here (generally) so no temperature damage. I think one of the biggest areas that might fail would be where the tire is kind of folded over on itself when collapsed. In the end, I suppose, use your head and some common sense.

And if you don't trust it to use in a pinch, might as well take it out of the trunk and ditch 30 lbs of weight.

[Quickstep192]

Originally Posted by Canada Kev

I think the inflated diameter of the collapsible spare isn't quite the same as the regular tires, so if you get a flat on the rear, put your spare up front and move your front to the rear. I'm not a hundred percent on this so others should chime in if I'm wrong.

I assume you're saying to keep the diameters equal so you don't mess up the transaxle? I ask because I recently read that you should end up with the spare on the rear so that if the spare fails, you can still steer.

[Quickstep192]

I'm also trying to find a conventional tire that fits. The closest I got is a 155/60R15 which gives you an O.D. of 22.4 or a 145/65R15 which gives you an O.D. of 22.3

I have a space saver spare that I bought several years ago at a swap meet. I recently inflated it and it looked fine and in theory, since it's not in the sun, it should last a good long time, but at this point, I'd probably never be able to really trust it.

Oh and by the way, it does re-collapse when you deflate it.

[Jack Stands]

I’ve never measured, but I wonder what is the largest diameter tire that would fit in the spare tire well? Even a mini-spare might make you feel better than a 30+ year old collapsible spare at this point. Otherwise, just get a flatbed tow!

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

I assume you're saying to keep the diameters equal so you don't mess up the transaxle? I ask because I recently read that you should end up with the spare on the rear so that if the spare fails, you can still steer.

Yes, that's the reason I was told, so as to not mess with the diff. But many modern cars come with a space saver donut spare and I don't recall seeing anything on those suggesting not to use them on driving wheels. So maybe I'm way out to lunch.

On the other hand, and this is a bit of an apples to oranges comparison, but on my older AWD daily, the front wheels must be the same diameter (or within a couple percentage points) as the rears so as to not muck up the centre diff. So if I want staggered wheel sizes on my XI, I have to be sure they're very close to the same diameter.

[wrxnofx]

Originally Posted by Jack Stands

I’ve never measured, but I wonder what is the largest diameter tire that would fit in the spare tire well? Even a mini-spare might make you feel better than a 30+ year old collapsible spare at this point. Otherwise, just get a flatbed tow!

You raise a really good point. What is the stud diameter on these hubs for a spare. Do I have to worry about offset or other measurements?

[balleta]

My collapsible tire is still usable after its 40 years trunk life. I'm just curious if they are still available and its cost.

Sent from my LG-H900 using Tapatalk

[shoooo32]

Originally Posted by wrxnofx

You raise a really good point. What is the stud diameter on these hubs for a spare. Do I have to worry about offset or other measurements?

Matt- We should get a full size spare for one of the longhoods. If an impact bumper car gets a flat, they can borrow it to get to the next town for a patch/replacement. I'll run without a spare and use the space to bring a bigger jack. We should also discuss who's bringing what spares and tools so there's no redundancy. I think there are a few threads on this subject.

[Jack Stands]

Here’s a long time PCA member’s solution! 😄

[Quickstep192]

Originally Posted by wrxnofx

You raise a really good point. What is the stud diameter on these hubs for a spare. Do I have to worry about offset or other measurements?

I believe the stud spacing is 5 x 130 and the diameter of the studs is 12mm.
If you find a wheel that fits that's smaller than 15" please let me know

[Jack Stands]

A 14” Fuchs is made, though I don’t know if it will fit over larger calipers.

[tdw28210]

A guy is selling new vintage style roof racks on the parts forum. Should hold several mounted tires and some other stuff too. 😉