Spare Tire Protection/Maintenance

[avane]

[note: this likely only applies more to those living in areas that experience Winter]

I know that the spare tire lifespan is usually not a huge issue but seeing if anyone is doing anything to mitigate the deterioration of the rim due to salt, etc.

-What I plan on doing is annually, clean, spray with fluid film and check tire pressure.

-A more extreme scenario I'm thinking is getting a spare tire protector. The good thing about this is that you can use it in the future with another truck because don't think much will change with the standard undermount spare standard for trucks (unless you get a Honda Ridgeline).

https://spareprotector.com/

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[bykerhd]

I've seen the cable operated spare tire mechanism corrode up and become inoperable quite rapidly in areas where salt is used on the roads in winter.
Those mechanisms require a grease or similar substance to help prevent corrosion and keep the things operable.
Steel rims should also get some sort of coating on all exposed surfaces to prevent rust.
Life is tough for spares mounted under the truck bed and more so in salty environments.

 

[avane]

I've seen the cable operated spare tire mechanism corrode up and become inoperable quite rapidly in areas where salt is used on the roads in winter.
Those mechanisms require a grease or similar substance to help prevent corrosion and keep the things operable.
Steel rims should also get some sort of coating on all exposed surfaces to prevent rust.
Life is tough for spares mounted under the truck bed and more so in salty environments.

yes for sure I plan on spraying some lubricant (WD40 silicone spray and fluid film) when I lower to service. I'm just surprised it's not a popular option for a cover for your underside spare.

 

[Optimus]

I just recently Fluid Filmed/Woolwaxed the whole Mav underside, including the full winch cable, both sides of the spare steel wheel, the outside of the tire beads (to keep rust from working its way into the wheel bead-sealing surface and eventually causing a flat spare tire). Been doing this for years on other vehicles and works great. I stored a set of throw-away rubber gloves with the OEM tool kit on the chance we ever need to drop the spare unexpectedly, as FF does obviously stay goopy and easy to get on your hands.

 

[Tim d]

[note: this likely only applies more to those living in areas that experience Winter]

I know that the spare tire lifespan is usually not a huge issue but seeing if anyone is doing anything to mitigate the deterioration of the rim due to salt, etc.

-What I plan on doing is annually, clean, spray with fluid film and check tire pressure.

-A more extreme scenario I'm thinking is getting a spare tire protector. The good thing about this is that you can use it in the future with another truck because don't think much will change with the standard undermount spare standard for trucks (unless you get a Honda Ridgeline).

https://spareprotector.com/

[note: this likely only applies more to those living in areas that experience Winter]

I know that the spare tire lifespan is usually not a huge issue but seeing if anyone is doing anything to mitigate the deterioration of the rim due to salt, etc.

-What I plan on doing is annually, clean, spray with fluid film and check tire pressure.

-A more extreme scenario I'm thinking is getting a spare tire protector. The good thing about this is that you can use it in the future with another truck because don't think much will change with the standard undermount spare standard for trucks (unless you get a Honda Ridgeline).

https://spareprotector.com/

Depends how long you plan on keeping your truck. My ram is 14 years old,I periodically check the exposed spare and it looks fine.

 

[TheSEARCH]

I would think fluid film would be to messy if you ever have to use the spare you will get it all over yourself. Then inside your Mav. Is there another product not so messy other than rustoleam paint?

 

[Optimus]

I would think fluid film would be to messy if you ever have to use the spare you will get it all over yourself. Then inside your Mav. Is there another product not so messy other than rustoleam paint?

Yes it can get messy, but at some point it becomes the least of the evils for some of us. For me, I will take the risk of getting some Fluid Film (or similar product) on me vs. having a rusty wheel, a seized cable that won’t allow me to drop the spare at all, or worse yet the cable rusts out completely and the spare tire simple falls off the truck, or the spare tire is flat due to a bead leak from rust. I have had most all of these happen, including another vehicle of ours that had a recall due to loss of spare tire from rusty parts….. (meaning the whole spare tire FELL OFF from underneath the truck, and landed somewhere such as into the roadway).

I know the Fluid Film is there, and I generally can be careful enough to avoid getting it on me, but I put some nitrile gloves with the jack/tool kit just in case.

 

[avane]

When you're accessing the tire at the side of the road (or somewhere remote), I think getting fluid film and other lubricants on your hands are least of your worries. The key is having the cable not seizing up. It would be worse to have to get your truck on a flatbed simply because your spare was inaccessible.

Another reason to have a proper emergency kit with gloves, etc

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