To carry a spare or not to carry a spare, that is the question
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 366
Likes: 4
From: WV
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
To carry a spare or not to carry a spare, that is the question
Pros and cons of spare carry. Been off roading all my life with mostly ATVs and SXSs without a spare. I carry plugs and compressor and have gotten away with it. Had flats that I’ve plugged with some having to have a bunch of plugs to hold air and I’ve had a bead come loose that I had to improvise a little to get it to seal back up. I know if I went a long ways from home I could carry on the roof if needed and leave it at the trailhead. Just wanta hear other opinions.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 622
Likes: 9
From: Calgary, AB
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 5.2
Pros and cons of spare carry. Been off roading all my life with mostly ATVs and SXSs without a spare. I carry plugs and compressor and have gotten away with it. Had flats that I’ve plugged with some having to have a bunch of plugs to hold air and I’ve had a bead come loose that I had to improvise a little to get it to seal back up. I know if I went a long ways from home I could carry on the roof if needed and leave it at the trailhead. Just wanta hear other opinions.
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 250
From: DE
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
A 33 can be fitted in the back without the hatch panel and the bench up. So i don't see the reason why not to carry a spare up to a 33". I have to drop the rear bench to secure my 35" spare now but I think it helps with the center of gravity and it's always better safe than sorry.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 366
Likes: 4
From: WV
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
A 33 can be fitted in the back without the hatch panel and the bench up. So i don't see the reason why not to carry a spare up to a 33". I have to drop the rear bench to secure my 35" spare now but I think it helps with the center of gravity and it's always better safe than sorry.
I’ve seen a 31” in the back but not a 33. Can you elaborate with some pics too??? I guess the reasons why I don’t want to carry is that I have 33s and don’t want the extra weight hanging off the back as well as the high $ of a rear tire carrier bumper.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
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From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 672
Likes: 28
From: Evart,Mich.
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
To me would depend on were you would be wheeling the farther or more remote the more you should carry a spare! really comes down to how far do you want to walk?
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,479
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From: Blunt, South Dakota
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
For daily driving, I don't carry a spare, that's why I have AAA. As for offroad, I don't carry an entire wheel, just a tire. That and a couple of tire spoons. Lay the tire down flat, and use the space inside it as storage....maximizes cargo. I mount and balance my own tires anyway, so it's a good practice to be familiar with.
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 60
From: Pasquotank, NC
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'm with roninofako. No spare needed around town, always carry one when I go off road. Why fight with plugging tires and resetting beads, assuming you don't slice a sidewall, when you can just change a tire? I have 33s. I set my spare flat in the cargo area. Put a board on top of the tire and you have the same storage space, just elevated a foot higher.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 660
Likes: 300
From: Under the Jeep
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.9 Stroker 4cyl
I'm with roninofako. No spare needed around town, always carry one when I go off road. Why fight with plugging tires and resetting beads, assuming you don't slice a sidewall, when you can just change a tire? I have 33s. I set my spare flat in the cargo area. Put a board on top of the tire and you have the same storage space, just elevated a foot higher.
When I went to Ouray, CO I ratchet-straped it to the top of my roof. I ended up making four of the holes in the black rail a little larger to accept the hooks on the ratchet straps.
HAHA The spare ended up staying up there for about a month after I got back to Kommiefornia.