If I had a spare tire.....

[djm96z28]

"Drag DR-37 wheel 19x8.5 +20, Pirelli PZero 245/50-19 tire - About $410 shipped (mounted/balanced)"

Forgive my lack of knowledge, but I could use this wheel and tire combo as a spare on my SS instead of buying a factory rim or using the donut/spacer kit? Would this tire fit on the back as well as front? And it sounds like it's lighter than factory, which is good. I want to carry a spare all the time, not just for road trips.

Also, which Camaros have the "roller skate" brakes? Later models? I'm pretty sure my 2012 has them, I guess.

[SUX2BU]

Originally Posted by djm96z28

"Drag DR-37 wheel 19x8.5 +20, Pirelli PZero 245/50-19 tire - About $410 shipped (mounted/balanced)"

Forgive my lack of knowledge, but I could use this wheel and tire combo as a spare on my SS instead of buying a factory rim or using the donut/spacer kit? Would this tire fit on the back as well as front? And it sounds like it's lighter than factory, which is good. I want to carry a spare all the time, not just for road trips.

Also, which Camaros have the "roller skate" brakes? Later models? I'm pretty sure my 2012 has them, I guess.

Yes, this will fit front and back. 2011 and up cars have roller skate brakes.

[Nine Ball]

As I posted, those wheel suggestions have NOT been test-fitted yet. The clearance on the brake caliper is what needs to be checked, roller skates or not. Looking at the construction shape of the wheel, I'd assume they clear. Yes, those offsets I posted should work front or rear, and the tires are the correct height too.

If I can get 5 of you to commit to either combo, and put a deposit down, I'll buy one of each wheel size to test fit. If it fits, we'll get yours ordered. If not, I'll refund the deposits. I won't need to test-fit the tires, those I know will fit.

DJM, most cars mid-2010 and later have the roller skate pads. Just take a look at your brake calipers, you'll see 4 little wheels sticking out of the top of each caliper.

Tony

[abaucom21]

I was stupid when I pre-ordered my 2011 2LT. Somehow missed to check the box for a spare tire option and dealer never mentioned it. Reading Camaro5 about a month after I took delivery I realized I had no spare. In Canada spare tire option was a $175, ordering large stuff off the net and sending to Canada is almost impossible, so later ordered from the dealer and paid almost $500 because I did not check the spare tire option box. Regardless, money well spent for feeling safer.
AAA, OnStar, are great and recommended, but tow service not always available in remote locations, or you could experience long delays waiting for a tow (I have had AAA for 30 years but date, time, weather, and location a factor for fast service - same with OnStar). If at night, even after you get a tow to nearest shop, shop might be closed (experienced that on a cold X-mass evening, middle of nowhere PA., hundreds of miles from home with a pet in the car). Then, after tow, don't assume shop will have a new tire that fits your Camaro if you are outside a major city so wait time could be days. Be sure you can pay out of pocket (credit card and cash) about $1,000-1,500 for towing, spend days in the nearest motel waiting for a new tire and possible wheel replacement. With the spare tire kit I change a flat in 20 mins. and be on my way. Ever had a blow out on the Interstate? The stock patch kit found in most new cars is not going to inflat your tire even if you did not damage the wheel during an Interstate tire blowout.
The stock tire patch kit is OK if you live and drive in an urban city and never venture further then you can get cab service home, never drive late at night or on weekends or on holidays, keep your paid AAA and / or Onstar membership current, and willing to wait on the roadside until a flatbed tow is available (perhaps hours during rush hour or winter storms) with wife, girlfriend, children, or pets. Personally, I like the "old school" option of changing the tire myself if I find I am stranded with a damaged tire (or wheel).
Suggest all who think GM roadside service, Onstar, AAA, are going come rescue you, read your contract (s) fine print.

[BronxxBombers213]

here you go... sorry i lied... its not 2 inches, it is about 3

[camaro104]

I really like this set up..... No spacer to worry about.... Going to consider it.

[BronxxBombers213]

Originally Posted by camaro104

I really like this set up..... No spacer to worry about.... Going to consider it.

Exactly why I did it.. I don't trust spacers and also- if you needed to drive on it for a while, you can.. Its Not just a temporary to drive to a tire shop, home, etc

[Scalded Dog]

Originally Posted by abaucom21

I was stupid when I pre-ordered my 2011 2LT. Somehow missed to check the box for a spare tire option and dealer never mentioned it. Reading Camaro5 about a month after I took delivery I realized I had no spare. In Canada spare tire option was a $175, ordering large stuff off the net and sending to Canada is almost impossible, so later ordered from the dealer and paid almost $500 because I did not check the spare tire option box. Regardless, money well spent for feeling safer.
AAA, OnStar, are great and recommended, but tow service not always available in remote locations, or you could experience long delays waiting for a tow (I have had AAA for 30 years but date, time, weather, and location a factor for fast service - same with OnStar). If at night, even after you get a tow to nearest shop, shop might be closed (experienced that on a cold X-mass evening, middle of nowhere PA., hundreds of miles from home with a pet in the car). Then, after tow, don't assume shop will have a new tire that fits your Camaro if you are outside a major city so wait time could be days. Be sure you can pay out of pocket (credit card and cash) about $1,000-1,500 for towing, spend days in the nearest motel waiting for a new tire and possible wheel replacement. With the spare tire kit I change a flat in 20 mins. and be on my way. Ever had a blow out on the Interstate? The stock patch kit found in most new cars is not going to inflat your tire even if you did not damage the wheel during an Interstate tire blowout.
The stock tire patch kit is OK if you live and drive in an urban city and never venture further then you can get cab service home, never drive late at night or on weekends or on holidays, keep your paid AAA and / or Onstar membership current, and willing to wait on the roadside until a flatbed tow is available (perhaps hours during rush hour or winter storms) with wife, girlfriend, children, or pets. Personally, I like the "old school" option of changing the tire myself if I find I am stranded with a damaged tire (or wheel).
Suggest all who think GM roadside service, Onstar, AAA, are going come rescue you, read your contract (s) fine print.

Well said... something all should think about now, before it happens; otherwise, thinking about it late on a rainy night, or on a road trip, or on a weekend when you'll be "eighth in line for the next available tow truck" is going to involve a lot of kicking one's self!

[djm96z28]

Originally Posted by camaro104

I really like this set up..... No spacer to worry about.... Going to consider it.

Same here. Bronxx had said he used a factory front rim with a 245/35/20 tire so it would fit in the well better than the stock 245/45/20. I guess those two tires have about the same total diameter.

Getting the jack, lug wrench and storage foam from the dealer and then picking up a stock wheel and a new tire seem to the the easiest way to go.

[FEN]

Originally Posted by djm96z28

Same here. Bronxx had said he used a factory front rim with a 245/35/20 tire so it would fit in the well better than the stock 245/45/20. I guess those two tires have about the same total diameter.

Getting the jack, lug wrench and storage foam from the dealer and then picking up a stock wheel and a new tire seem to the the easiest way to go.

Well by running a 245/35 you might as well get an OEM spare because the 245/35's diameter is almost 2" smaller than the 245/45 and cannot be run on the back of an SS.

[BronxxBombers213]

Originally Posted by FEN

Well by running a 245/35 you might as well get an OEM spare because the 245/35's diameter is almost 2" smaller than the 245/45 and cannot be run on the back of an SS.

Correct.. But My issues again were #1 don't trust spacers... And #2 I can actually drive on it for a longer trip if need be..

I know i cant run it on the rear because of the differential but opted for going
With the smaller diameter to save the most trunk space so it fit in the well all the way... If I get a flat on the rear, I would have to put the spare up front and put a front rim where the flat was

Should i ever get a flat, The peace of mind of having a full rim on a regular tire with no spacers, coupled with the space I save by doing that are worth the 10 minute inconvenience of changing an extra wheel if I get a flat in the rear

That being said, I think a 245/40/20 will fit, but won't sit all the way down.. A 245/45 would barely go in the well at all

[Macfolk]

Did you put a front wheel there or is it a rear? Can you use a front wheel as a rear for a spare? I like this option.

Thanks!

Jason

Originally Posted by BronxxBombers213

here you go... sorry i lied... its not 2 inches, it is about 3

[djm96z28]

Originally Posted by djm96z28

Same here. Bronxx had said he used a factory front rim with a 245/35/20 tire so it would fit in the well better than the stock 245/45/20. I guess those two tires have about the same total diameter.

Getting the jack, lug wrench and storage foam from the dealer and then picking up a stock wheel and a new tire seem to the the easiest way to go.

Or if we use Nine Ball's (Tony's) suggestion, assuming the 19" wheel will fit over the roller skate brakes, the 245/20/19 tire also may fit into the wheel well better--plus they are lighter than stock rims. Combining Tony's and Bronxx's suggestions could be the best solution yet for using a full sized spare.

Has anyone reported back to see if Tony's wheel works??

[BronxxBombers213]

Originally Posted by djm96z28

Or if we use Nine Ball's (Tony's) suggestion, assuming the 19" wheel will fit over the roller skate brakes, the 245/20/19 tire also may fit into the wheel well better--plus they are lighter than stock rims. Combining Tony's and Bronxx's suggestions could be the best solution yet for using a full sized spare.

Has anyone reported back to see if Tony's wheel works??

Regardless if you use a 20 or 19... To get one that fits into the wheelwell nicely, you'd be in the same boat, As the total diameter would be a tad too small to run in the rear due to the differential

The only real advantage of getting another rim is weight, and cost, if you can find a rim that works for a lesser price