Hi guys,

this has been eating at me for a while, it is probably an extremely stupid question, but if you run directional tires (lets take the mt/r kevlars for example) how do you determine your spare's direction? Do you just choose one and hope for the best?! I know this is probably stupid but I cant figure it out, lol!

 

the mtr/k is not directional. but you are correct about the guessing game for the spare.

 

I know people run the Mickey Thompson Baja Claws reverse sometimes. I think as long as the tire only rotates one direction you should be fine...just might look funny.

 

I have Yokohama directional tires on my Smart car, and yes, you do have to realize that you might need to put it on the side that the tread was not meant to be. However, it is a spare, to get you somewhere until you can fix or replace the bad tire that caused your issues. They work great on my car, but I am not sure how much I would like them on a JK. My Yokohama's are set up to disperse water, and they do a fantastic job.

 

Directional tires only work properly in the direction intended. That being said, for a spare you can usually get by. However, the Goodyear MT/R w/Kevlar is not a directional tire, but a tire with a "face side". Unlike directionals, they'll work either way. Face side just have fancier lettering and all the DOT info (its cheaper to build the mold with this on one side.)

If you're mounting directionals, simple solution is to find a non-directional tire for the spare. So if you have MT Baja Claws or Yoko Geo MTs, then mount something like a Bighorn or BFG mud for your spare. Personally, I'd forget most directional mud tires (not applicable to certain Interco options -- Iroks and Boggers) and stick with the regular ones.

 

Good to know, thanks!