Front tires and spare

Buy quality steer tires and be done with it.

Rotating a 3rd one into the mix will increase the chance of damaging the bead from extra mount & dismounting.

The problems generally stem from buying cheap or inflation issues.

 

I have never carried a spare except when I had a trailer with the small 17.5 tires. That includes all the time spent back and forth to Alaska and running north up here where tires are not available for hundreds of miles.
Only twice have I had to deal with a steer tire problem, and just took one off the trailer to get me to where I could get one.

 

We run Michelin steers and typically get over 150K on a set as a fleet average.

Some trucks don't like certain steer tire brands.

Steers are often directional, mounting it will limit it to one side.

 

I wouldn’t waste the money, or time involved. I wouldn’t even rotate the new ones. I’m superstitious about changing directions on a steer. Although I just did it. Lol. Because I know my right front wears on the outside. But that’s why I wouldn’t. Not at least till you know, how your steers are wearing. Having done all that work, and alignment. It could be off, and by rotating the steers, you’ll never know. A good used mounted steer for a spare is a great idea. Can be used anywhere. When you buy the next set, trade in the used spare, and keep the better of the old steers, for a spare. Avoiding a dry rotted spare.I quit rotating drives also, a long time ago. Rear axle, usually wears out faster, sometimes, I’ll buy 4, run them on the rear axle, for a year, then move them up, 4 new ones on rear axle again. Then they all wear out evenly eventually. It all depends, right now, I’ve got 4 used steers on rear axle. Lol. Not good, soon I’ll put 4 new Luggers and move steers forward. Next year 4 new ones again on rear. Nothing wrong with rotating, just never seemed to help mine last any longer, as long as they’re wearing evenly, why bother. These days my drives dry rot before they wear out. Why waste money rotating, apply to new tires.Just my opinion,and tactics since tires got expensive. Used to just slap a set of Premium Drives on for $1800, now it’s double that amount.

 

If you buy a new premium steer and put it in the spare rack you better lock it down twice so nobody steals it.

 

That...and after the spare bounces and moves around in its cradle for miles and miles it could suffer sidewall wounds etc. Think dry rot was already mentioned. I don't even carry a spare anymore. If i did, it would be a used steer to get me out of a jam. I do carry a glad hand air hose, and assortments of screws. Yes, you can screw a screw into a smaller hole ,and air it to get to the shop. Or spend 400 or more for road service. Got to do, what you got to do.

 

Most places wont put a used tire mounted or not on the steer axle.