Problem mounting spare with valve stem DOWN?

[BoinLV]

I'm kinda compulsive about tires - too many flats, way off-road. Anyway, was checking tire pressures, and cursing the need to lower the spare to check. The dissimilar size is irritant enough. I flipped it - less excursion of the mounting cable; clutch seemed to work fine once seated.
Other than the (low) risk of rock breaking the valve stem, any other reason this is unacceptable?
Thanks in advance

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I'm kinda compulsive about tires - too many flats, way off-road. Anyway, was checking tire pressures, and cursing the need to lower the spare to check. The dissimilar size is irritant enough. I flipped it - less excursion of the mounting cable; clutch seemed to work fine once seated.
Other than the (low) risk of rock breaking the valve stem, any other reason this is unacceptable?
Thanks in advance

Good questions - my 2015 Expedition Limited is the same and is very irritating when I check the spare air pressure.

 

[BoinLV]

Yeah; I'd rather not buy an extension (which I use on my truck camper vehicle) - just another potential slow leak source...

 

[lobsenza]

I bought an extension hose (Oatley 274038) for several vehicles. Easy top check pressure. I have never had an issue. Much better than infrequent tire pressure checking. I have used 1 on my Navigator for 6 months. The pressure holds very well.

 

[BoinLV]

Thanks, lobsenza. The Oatey looks more robust than extensions I've gotten in the past along with valve stem extensions. I'll probably get it.

 

[Artie]

I bought an extension hose (Oatley 274038) for several vehicles. Easy top check pressure. I have never had an issue. Much better than infrequent tire pressure checking. I have used 1 on my Navigator for 6 months. The pressure holds very well.

What extension did you use?

 

[BoinLV]

If you're asking me, not lobsenza, the extensions I had in the past had 90° elbow fittings. I think were from Wheel Masters.

 

[Artie]

If you're asking me, not lobsenza, the extensions I had in the past had 90° elbow fittings. I think were from Wheel Masters.

I see now it’s already listed in his comment... I miss the most obvious stuff sometimes, sorry.

 

[lobsenza]

I have 3 of the Oakley hoses and no issues. I have been using some of them for a year. I check the spare tire pressure every month or 2.

 

[duneslider]

I take it there is no tire pressure sensor on the spare tire on these? Have that on my jeep but the spare is a full size matching tire too. Having just owned jeeps for a long time now, I forgot that not all vehicles have full size matching spares.

 

[Flexpedition]

Face down tends to create more of a bowl for dust & pebble accumulation on the backside of the wheel. Water from storms or carwash belly washes will create a nice 20lbs rock cake.

Ideally lowering it 1-2 times a year for cleaning/inspection is the way to go. I say this but usually "thumb test" the spare and call it good. I've had a few spares get stolen, but never once one just randomly go flat.

 

[marlinpruett]

I would like more info on using an extension on the spare. Do you feed it up inside the well where the tools and jack are stored? Or is there some other way of accessing the end to check pressures?

 

[Gary Waugh]

I have had my spare wheel mounted with the valve facing down (easy to check tyre pressure) for more than 6 years and never had any issue with dirt, water or rocks collecting inside it. The extension lead seems like one solution but I really haven’t seen any issues with having the wheel up side down to allow easy access to the valve.

Gary