Camaro SS Spare Tire Options For Those Who Don't Know

[SUX2BU]

Originally Posted by PLuche

I keep seeing in many threads people mentioning "why need a spare tire when you have road side assistance or OnStar."

My question is, If I get a flat/slashed tire and the inflator repair kit is not enough to fix it, does road side assistance let us borrow a donut tire? Or how do they solve this problem??

No, they only tow you to the neatest dealership.

[PLuche]

Originally Posted by SUX2BU

No, they only tow you to the neatest dealership.

that sucks, well I guess I better start shopping for a spare. Thanks for answering.

[11BEE]

Lyncan,

That link takes me to a general page. No kit available. The only one up there is for a base model or v6.

I just had a bad slice in a very bad area of town. I need a spare.

[69to14]

Sitting here reading about F.L.A.Ts and I feel like I am hearing a distinct hissing noise out front...

[ChrisBlair]

Had my second flat since 1987 over labor Day weekend. The 8" long screw really tore hell out of that tire. The inflation kit couldn't do it.

Am I the only one that packs a torque wrench instead of a breaker bar? Does the same thing, and I can read the torque too. A Craftsman deep well impact socket, 7/8ths for 1/2" drive will clear the wheels on my SS. That rides in my cargo net.

[kcrw79]

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

Had my second flat since 1987 over labor Day weekend. The 8" long screw really tore hell out of that tire. The inflation kit couldn't do it.

Am I the only one that packs a torque wrench instead of a breaker bar? Does the same thing, and I can read the torque too. A Craftsman deep well impact socket, 7/8ths for 1/2" drive will clear the wheels on my SS. That rides in my cargo net.

Alright, I know this is an old thread, but I'm just discovering this issue as the proud new owner of a '15 SS. After pricing all of the various parts to create a donut spare kit, I decided to go with a full spare strategy for out of town travel. I figure I can rely on road side assitance and the inflator kit for travel within the metro area. For long trips here is what I plan to put in the trunk:

Take-off front rim purchased on e-bay $230 (with shipping)
w/ tire $160
A cheap compact floor jack $30 (already have one)
Extendable 1/2" ratchet $15
1/2" drive 7/8" deep well socket $5

The ratchets are available at Harbor Freight, I've used these for other jobs and they work great. The handle telescopes out for additional leverage, but collapses back down to more reasonable length for storage. I'll try to get a picture once everything is assembled. As noted, I already have the jack, but you could put this together for $450 and end up with a tire you wouldn't be nervous about driving at 70 mph. The long trip scenario is the one that scares me with the inflator or even a donut. Our tires aren't the most commonly stocked sizes. I'd hate to get stuck in the middle of nowhere with no option but to wait for a tire to be shipped in or to drive 100's of miles on a donut.

As others have noted, a front tire/wheel is the best choice as it can be used on either axle. Whereas, a rear tire won't fit on the front.

[myold88]

^^^^ What kcrw79 said 100%. One more thing re the donut spare on long trips. They are
marked " Not to exceed 50 MPH". No way would I feel safe on an interstate highway for
any distance with a donut spare.

[yzark99]

The donut is also rated for 50 miles total, then it is allowed to fail. I carry a full-size spare for that reason alone.

[BurningRubber]

Since this thread was made some time ago, the joe guy on ebay has stopped selling this kit with a spacer and started selling a spacerless spare which does not entirely fit under the deck lid in the trunk.

Does anyone know of a good option more recently?
Can I just use a lower trim camaro spare kit + a spacer? What size spacer?

[eschatts]

Have not posted in a long time. But why not just buy a tire plug kit? As long as it is not in sidewall, it would probably work just fine.

[Michael Knight]

Originally Posted by kcrw79

...As others have noted, a front tire/wheel is the best choice as it can be used on either axle. Whereas, a rear tire won't fit on the front.

I thought the rears can go in front but the fronts can't go in back? Huh?

[jrhagen]

Step 1: buy a truck.
Step 2: buy a trailer.
Step 3: attach trailer to truck.
Step 4: load Camaro on trailer.
Step 5: tow Camaro to location.
Step 6: unload Camaro, drive around.
Reverse steps to return.

[texjsleigh]

Here is what I recently completed in my 2010 Camaro SS. I have the following tires on my car Michelin PSS 305/30ZR 19 (102Y) rears and 275/35ZR 19 (96Y) fronts, so a 19" spare is great. Reasonable cost for total peace of mind to drive fast and not be towed and keep trunk space. Sticks up 2" from trunk floor level. Looks good!
Spare System:
1. Matched spare wheel diameter 26.1" vs 26.2/26.6" to be within 0.5". Wheel:
Advanti Hybris 19" x 8.5" close look to my Forgeline wheels. Tires: Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2 225/40R 19 (93Y). Materials plus mount and balance and shipped from Tire Rack was $460.
Total spare wheel/tire weight 53.6lbs
Jack 23175599 $39
Jack handle 13503936 $24
Extension 25892542 $11
Foam container 92200810 $8
2. Add wheel cover (but doesn't look bad without cover but may drop stuff down wheel well). Toyota RAV4 (1995-2000) 27" rigid tire cover (plastic with vinyl stretch band) $95. But to anchor spare wheel and tire down:
Drill hole in base plate over battery, cut to length and secure 12" x 3/8" thread with locking washer and nut on both sides of plate. Use plastic drain plug and 3/8" wing nut from Home Depot. FYI The wheel cover does not contact the wing nut.
3. Optional: Cut out 20" circle from carpet and glue to plastic wheel cover. Every 2" around cut out, cut slit for 3.5" in length to match contour of wheel well.

[jimmypickett68]