I decided to inflate my space saver tire today just to see what would happen. It's dry rotted for sure. I've never seen anyone actually use one of these.

 

It's not all the way full. It'll look like a normal tire when fully inflated. When you deflate it, it'll go back to being folded

 

I took it out of both of my cars. They're thirty years old. I simply don't trust them.

 

it's so dry rotted I was afraid to keep going.

 

hard to believe there are some on eBay for $150.

I'm missing the inflator can but it wouldn't be any good anyways. You're right though, I wouldn't trust it either.

 

I think I still have one. Would love to sell it cheap to somebody who wants it, but shipping would be expensive.

 

Double post

 

those are wrinkles from being folded. They were like that when new. However you are correct that they are old and probably shouldn't be trusted

 

One of mine started to inflate lopsided like that too so I stopped. Wouldn't trust it with full pressure and it's not safe or usable like that. I've heard of people being killed by exploding tires.

 

I have both 3rd gen and 4th Gen TA verts.
The 3rd Gen came with an unused inflatable spare. The 4th Gen came with an unused "donut" spare.

I wouldn't use either spare.

I purchased 2 4th Gen wheels at the junkyard, and put "serviceable" 245/50/R16 on them. I keep one at home and one at my place of business as "rescue" spares. I also carry a 2" spacer in the 91 in case I've got to put the spare on the rear.

If i get a flat, my wife can grab whichever spare is closest, and bring it to me.

 

Thats how they were designed, its pretty wild filling one up all the way

 

The 4th gen donut spare is fine as long as the tire isn't old/dry rotted. Many cars came with those tiny donuts and work just fine.
Definitely not a fan of the 3rd gen spare though.

 

P

This 2022 toyota spare was posted the other day

 

The spoked wheel is the "special" one. The tire looks more like it was stored in the mud than it looks rotted.

I used mine twice when it was about 20 years old. Never in 20 years, then twice within a couple of months. Worked fine each time. When you're out in the desert at night with a flat tire, you don't get to shop for another option.

First time, it was weird watching it inflate lopsided, but it looked "normal" after it was pumped up, just creased from being folded, and it did its job just fine. I'm not saying it's any good today, but it still looks as good as it's always looked.

I've searched briefly for new collapsible tires. I heard new ones still exist, but I didn't find any. But again, I didn't search very thoroughly.

 

Have you tried putting either one in your 3rd gen spare tire compartment? I cant even get the 14" inflatable one in mine. Original was 14" inflatable and was a b!tch to pull out, but even harder to put back in.

FWIW; Ive had the 14" spoke, 14" steel and 15" aluminum with these tires and in the same condition. I inflated them several times to their max psi. Even mounted them on the car, but didnt drive it. Just moved it in/out of the garage, no issues. I did stand behind a wall while inflating them though, cause...just in case.

 

[QUOTE=84 1LE;6530819]Have you tried putting either one in your 3rd gen spare tire compartment?
/QUOTE]

No, why would I? I know It won't fit. That's why it's a "rescue" spare.

Furthermore, even if I had s "serviceable" inflatable spare and installed it on the car, in order to take thr removed/flat tire home I'd have to drop the top and put it in the back sear.

 

It would have been nice of ASC to resolve this while prototyping the vert.