What You Need to Know About Spare Tire Covers

A lot of today’s off-road vehicles place their spare tires at the vehicles exterior. A lot of recreational vehicles and small travel trailers similarly do the same. One main reason for this is to save precious space. However, a way is still needed on how tires could be protected from various elements. It is this reason why spare tire covers were invented. A few of these are ordinary and plain while there are tires which are specially custom made to allow others to express their unique – if not dramatic – personal statement. There may also be times that ads are seen on a spare wheel cover. However, they are plain most of the time.

Mainly speaking, a few covers are a lot more sturdy compared to others due to the manufacturing processes and materials used. A cheap cover is similarly made from soft vinyl. In a short time, it is evident that the weather causes them to easily break down, crack and shrink. After which, the switching then goes loose and ultimately fall apart. This is essentially an ideal testimony to Mother Nature’s power. On one hand, the more costly spare tire covers are created from materials that are stronger. They also have the tendency to last a lot longer. Consequently, it is a lot wiser to purchase the cover that functions best. It is also ideal to regularly assess the vinyl cover in order to ensure that it is holding up. A cover that is already worn out will further cause the spare tire to wear out. In the long term, a cover that appears worn out gives a vehicle a bad impression.

Believe it or not, the process of substituting a spare cover is not at all difficult. At times, a heavy string needs to be loosened and untied. It is the same as the string found on sweat pants. Once it comes loose, the cover could then be slipped off by wrangling it a bit. Having the cover replaces is also not complicated. All you need to do is reverse the method in order to ensure that the cover and string is tightly snug.

Looking for a replacement cover is a process that is easy due to the tons of sites and stores which sell them. They also provide high quality replacements for any vehicle size including an rv tire cover. However, if you find it difficult to find a specific type for your vehicle, there are many covers which could fit any vehicle and wheel. The sizes are also written on the package’s back thereby making it easy to choose the proper universal cover for your car. These possess an elastic stretchable opening at the back and not a pull string. This makes the cover easy to slip on the tire. Plus, the covers are attractive, unique and affordable.

Looking For Cheap Tires, Buy A Used Tire

A flat tire on a Mercury Villager van.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Typically when you drive your vehicle over a nail in the road, you are awarded with a slow leak in a tire.  In most cases you can take the tire in to your local tire service shop and have them install a patch.  There are times, however, when a puncture can’t be repaired, or the repair patch doesn’t hold.  In these cases you will have no choice but to start searching for cheap tires.

The difficult situation is that tires on your vehicle ‘should’ be matched as pairs from the left side to the right (front to back, not so important).  So not only should your tires be a matching brand and model, they should also have a matching wear level.

In light of this, it would hardly be ideal to match one brand new tire with your other, still decent, used tire.  You also would not want to have to purchase two brand new tires just to replace one bad one.  This is where the benefits of buying a used tire comes in to play.

There exists a market for used tires of all shapes, sizes and wear levels.  Your local car dealer may have a selection, as well, tire sale outlets, your local junkyard and online sellers are other places to look.  The reasons why perfectly good used tires become available for reuse are due to damaged cars which are parted out as well as any parts from salvage cars, but this creates an excellent opportunity for finding cheap tires to replace that blown out or otherwise single destroyed tire on your vehicle.

Now, matching the exact brand and model is not imperative, though you certainly should match all four tires exactly when buying new.  As long as the used tire has the same tread type and a similar wear level, it should be safe to use on your vehicle.  Mismatching tire tread types can adversely affect the handling of your car or truck, making it unsafe to drive.

Always inspect the used tire before you make the purchase, especially if buying privately.  Check for the wear level and use the penny depth test to compare with your other good tire.  Check for abnormal wear, age cracks and puncture patches.  Also, be certain the tire size is an exact match, as you certainly want it to fit on your rim.  Good luck!

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