Spare Tyre Cover. On or Off?

[sunburn]

I like the look of my spare tyre without the cover on it. It there a good reason why they come with covers...? For instance, having a cover on your tyre obviously protects from the elements but would it survive anyway without it? Obviously the other tyres get the full brunt of the weather but at the same time they are used constantly so maybe that would make a difference?

Who has had theirs off for an extended period? Any dramas?

I'm not sure if this is a stupid question or not so feel free to flame away!

[Matt&Leisa]

If you like it off then leave it off. It is ment to help keep the uv off the tyres as they don't like it, plus jeep gets to put it name on the cover. If you replace your spare tyre(put it on the car) when you buy new tyres it will not spend that long on the back any way. I will be replacing my muddies when I get back from this trip (40K) and I will buy 4 and put a new one on the rear and rotate the spare onto the car so it doesnt get to old.

Interested to see what everyone else does.

Matt

[Tiny]

i took it off straight away but now it doesnt fit the 33s

[wranglertj]

i say do what you like. I had mine off the old TJ for quite some time and no degradation at all but it could be different in different states weather wise.

[davidd]

mate as the other 4 wheels are always open to the weather it really makes no difference. i have been driving 4wd's since the early seventies and never had a wheel cover on till ibought the jk. i took mine off because i got sick of having a car advertisement on the back of my vehicle. not once can isay that not having a cover on the wheel has made any difference. stakes, rocks, nails and rough roads have had a lot of effect, but never the weather.

[carvesdodo]

Don't think it makes a lot of difference really.

Have never used a wheel cover but have noticed the spare can seem a bit harder / dried out to the touch, compared to spares kept undercover.

A rear mounted spare is subject to a lot more sunlight / UV than the other tyres as there is no wheel arch protection / shading from other vehicles when parked etc.

If you have any concerns - rotate the wheel on the holder every now and then. Works for me.

[patrol]

i wouldnt bother with the cover....but on another note i run very little psi in the spare to absorb any unseen tree or something ....(dont worry i have a compressor under the hood to inflate it)

[Jeepology]

Who cares...it's a tyre cover, move on.