Cheapest option for full-size spare

[drsmithy]

We are heading off on a caravan trip through western QLD over easter with our Tiguan Allspace.

I'd rather not have to rely on the space saver if I get a puncture, so I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions for a cheap, but full-size, spare ?

Just for laughs I called up Volkswagen, and a new 20" Suzuka is [deep breath] $1,900 (w/o tyre ), so I won't be doing that.

Is a cheapy 18" or 19" rim plus a higher profile (45R19 or 50R1 tyre a reasonable option here ? Any reason not to do that or things to be careful of ? Would a mismatch of tyre width (eg: 235 vs 255) matter that much ?

[BeigeJet]

Is a cheapy 18" or 19" rim plus a higher profile (45R19 or 50R1 tyre a reasonable option here ? Any reason not to do that or things to be careful of ? Would a mismatch of tyre width (eg: 235 vs 255) matter that much ?

If I recall the car manual has a warning that speed should be limited to no more than 80kmh when an odd sized wheel/tyre combination is fitted. This would also include an 18" or 19"

Bear in mind that any different sized tyre is NOT going to have the same rolling circumference has the other 3 tyres and will give a warning message on your instrument panel. (the tyre pressure sensing uses the ABS wheel speed sensors and can detect a different rotational speed)

As you are towing, the inherent risks increase in driving and if it is a rear wheel that lets go I suggest you would need to put a full size tyre on the rear axle simply due to the additional load of the caravan. AND still limit speed to no more than 80 kmh until you can get a full size tyre back on the vehicle.

Note I'm very risk aware (in a transport based industry)

In any event I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip

[Sharkie]

Have a look at FB marketplace. OEM wheels often show up at a fraction of the VW cost. I'd be surprised if you pay more than $1200 for a full set of Suzukas with tyres!

Further, 20" will not be super comfortable on an extended touring drive on what is likely to be less than A grade roads. Perhaps a full set of 18s or 19s (5) with tyres with some decent sidewall will be better for the drive and probably cost less than a single 20" spare with tyre and once you return simply swop them out again for the next tour.

On my Mk1 Tiguan I kept a set (5) of spare 17"s for our annual trip to the snow (~3500km roundtrip) and swapped the S4 19"s back afterwards. It made the drive so much more comfortable with the security of a full-sized matching spare.

[Sharkie]

A set (4) with tyres on FB currently for $1100 (in Brisbane though)
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Brand new set of 20" Suzuka rims for $800 (no tyres) and a 2nd set (4) secondhand no tyres for $750 as well.

[drsmithy]

Have a look at FB marketplace. OEM wheels often show up at a fraction of the VW cost. I'd be surprised if you pay more than $1200 for a full set of Suzukas with tyres!

Further, 20" will not be super comfortable on an extended touring drive on what is likely to be less than A grade roads. Perhaps a full set of 18s or 19s (5) with tyres with some decent sidewall will be better for the drive and probably cost less than a single 20" spare with tyre and once you return simply swop them out again for the next tour.

On my Mk1 Tiguan I kept a set (5) of spare 17"s for our annual trip to the snow (~3500km roundtrip) and swapped the S4 19"s back afterwards. It made the drive so much more comfortable with the security of a full-sized matching spare.

Thanks. I understand the comfort may not be ideal with 20s and that's solid advice. This is our first big road trip with the kids so something of a trial from that perspective. If it looks like we will do more I think a set of 5 more comfort-oriented tyres as you suggest would be a good plan.

Have found someone on FB selling individual 19" R-Line rims with some 255/45 tyres on them, which according to a tyre size calculator should have the same overall diameter and not cause any problems. I'm thinking I might get one of them for an immediate solution, and then if we end up doing more, chase down the rest of a set of 19s (or just get a whole set of something smaller as you did).

[drsmithy]

If I recall the car manual has a warning that speed should be limited to no more than 80kmh when an odd sized wheel/tyre combination is fitted. This would also include an 18" or 19"

Bear in mind that any different sized tyre is NOT going to have the same rolling circumference has the other 3 tyres and will give a warning message on your instrument panel. (the tyre pressure sensing uses the ABS wheel speed sensors and can detect a different rotational speed)

As you are towing, the inherent risks increase in driving and if it is a rear wheel that lets go I suggest you would need to put a full size tyre on the rear axle simply due to the additional load of the caravan. AND still limit speed to no more than 80 kmh until you can get a full size tyre back on the vehicle.

Note I'm very risk aware (in a transport based industry)

In any event I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip

Thanks for the reply.

I understand your point but by the tyre calculator I used an R19 with 45 profile or R18 with 50 profile would have the same diameter as the regular 255/40R20s ? Hence the question about width.

I would definitely make sure there were two identical tyres on the back though.