So what are your opinions on the Jeep (canvas or whatever) tire covers? Excluding those with well oversized tires who may not be able to fit. I got a dark gray / black one with the JEEP written in a really dark charcoal, and it looks good. I really like the rugged look of the tire without the silly cover, but also like it with it. I wondered what you folks think. Are there pros and cons of the cover. My thought was that it may retain moisture underneath because it doesn't seem to breathe, but that may not be an issue?
The tire-cover was originally designed as protection from the sun / weather. A tire that "never moves" is likely to weather and crack sooner than tires that are always on the go.
That is why you see many motor-homes with tire-covers on them when they are not moving - parked in the backyard. It extends the life of the tire.
I had mine on when I first got the Jeep. I started noticing that most people around here had them off so I went with that. Besides mine had the dealer logo on it, and I don't like advertising for the dealer after I buy the vehicle.
Same here. My dealer actually got a little upset with me. They said "we gave you a great deal and you won't even advertise for us." The one my dealer had on it had their logo, name, website, ect. in large white letters on a black cover. Stood out too much, if it had just said (dealer name) Jeep in a less loud color I would have kept it on.
I would strongly prefer NOT to have one. However, I see its value as a theft deterrent. I currently do not have one on my Jeep because I have been too lazy to go find one that will fit the tire that is on there.
Visually, I don't like the way they look at all - esp. the smiley face guy that needs a shave.
Yes, I use one. Arizona sun just kills rubber/plastic over time. I agree that rotating your spare will assist with tire life. My jeep came with one from the dealer too but I changed it out to just say Jeep in black letters.
My 2007 came with one with the Dealer's name, but it's decent and says "Jeep.. .there's only one!"
In the Florida sun, it does keep the rim up there from weathering so quick, and the tire doesn't get sun/dry rot so fast. Just like the TJ, we'll use the cover until it rips. Then we'll go without. Then down the road, around year 6 or so.. that wheel will need a new paint job from the sun, and that will cost about $80 if I pay to get it done. (And that's about how much tire covers cost.)
Yes, you can clearly tell now I only do a 4 tire rotation. I think on the next set, I'm gonna go to 5. But then I'll have to buy 5 tires instead of 4... decisions decisions :2thumbsup:
I dunno why people only do a 4 tire rotation. It makes so much more sense to get that 5th tire in the game - even the wear, make the tires last longer, etc. etc. The "keep the spare new in case I need it" argument just doesn't hold up.
I do the five tire rotation so don't really need one. Only reason I would look to add one if if I got a custom one with some fitting statement like "Guns don't kill people. Liberals against concealed carry kill people". Then again that may be a bit much for the Man here in Socialist California.
I use a tire cover, because in the winter the ice, snow and salt gets plastered on the spare tire. With the tire cover on, there's no little lug nut holes and stuff for the ice/salt to get in. I just brush the cover with the snow brush and everything on it falls off.
I prefer the look of the stock BFG KM on the back.
With apologies to those who like them, I never understood the covers with the big "JEEP" letters. I suppose on a different model you might need that, but on a Wrangler it's pretty obvious it's a Jeep.
Good points, but also, it seems to me some folks use a cover to hide the fact that they have a factory 29"/similar that doesn't match their set.
We have 4 seasons here, so weather isn't a big issue.
I rotate 4 because I don't want to get my hands and shirt (white work shirt!!) BLACK from tire rubber every time I open the gate, and the unused spare doesn't "molt". my wee .02
I agree with not advertising for companies that are not paying me for driving around their mini billboard. So I went with a vinyl diamond plate tire cover. It cleans up the look of the rear end and matches my diamond plate corner armor. Besides, my spare wheel is a black steelie and not a matching beadlock while the spare is a used 31" MT-R and my others are 32" Cooper STT tires.
It was brand new in this shot. Now it's not so shiny.
Ozone eats/rots tires, not sun, heat, etc. That's the reason they're black --- the least expensive chemical that slows ozone deterioration happens to be black. Tires would come in designer colors otherwise.
A cover would keep off other pollutants and possibly deter theft and/or vandalism.
Bricktop that thing is sick, as for me i had my tire cover on for the longest time and really hate the way it looks so i took it off over the weekend
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Jeep Enthusiast Forums
18.5M posts
727.5K members
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to all jeep owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, engine swaps, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!