I thought checking the air on the spare was doable without dropping
the clamshell.  There's spozed to be a hole in the clamshell you can
align the valve with  and add/check from below.  I think someone on
the list mentioned that some time ago.  NOt even sure that info is in
the Owner's Manual.  Maybe have to check.

DM&FS

At 01:35 PM 3/6/2011, Don Hanson wrote:
>    My van (84) had the original Continental spare in place when I got it a
>few years ago....It was a size I couldn't find when I got some new ones..and
>I stupidly forget about it...I ended up with two Hakka Snows on the rear and
>something different on front...neither the same as that Continental spare.
>   Well, I had a flat and put on the spare...it had full tread and looked
>un-checked or anything...I thought to myself..."Maybe this is NOT the
>original tire from the factory...it can't be and still look so good after,
>what, almost 30yrs".  I drove with it on the front for a week or so until I
>noticed a slight vibration.  Then I happened to notice....way out in the
>back country of Eastern Oregon while heading to California on an extended
>trip, one whole section of the tread was just gone.....all the way around
>the tire...just blew off somewhere...
>
>   I guess it WAS the original tire, and no matter how good it
>looked....30yrs old is not good.    So now I have a matching spare and will
>be incorporating it into my tire wear strategy and checking it's air on a
>regular basis, just like the tires that are touching the highway all the
>time.
>
>   as to the 'proper' way to rotate....my Hakkas are 'directional' so all
>bets are off...
>   Don Hanson
>
>On Sun, Mar 6, 2011 at 10:48 AM, A PETER MARSH <apetermarsh@mac.com> wrote:
>
> > This the reason I am trying to buy FIVE tires for my renovation.
> >
> > Peter Marsh
> > Naples
> >
> > On Mar 6, 2011, at 11:59 AM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
> >
> > > I am curious as to why folks would not include the spare in the rotation.
> >  That is obvious for cars with compact spare tires, but with a
> regular, full
> > size spare like we have with the Vanagon's .......... why?  I can see why
> > some might not for cars that they just drive in town, where a
> spare might be
> > expected only to serve to get from home to a tire shop.  Buying only four
> > tires at a time is cheaper than buying five at a time.  But if one drives a
> > vehicle on long distance trips, and especially if one ventures
> out to remote
> > locations, having a capable spare is a necessity.
> > >
> > > Help me out here.  mcneely
> > > ---- Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> > >> I haven't done it 5 tire style since about 1983.  Anybody else
> > >> including the spare in their rotation?
> > >> Edward
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> At 09:58 AM 3/6/2011, Dave Mcneely wrote:
> > >>> If you are including the spare in the rotation (I certainly do),
> > >>> then you are automatically pulling the spare every few months to a
> > >>> year or so.  I suppose it just seems really weird to me that a spare
> > >>> tire would not have even been looked at in a ten year period.  But,
> > >>> different folks .................. .  mcneely
> > >>>
> > >>> ---- Rob <becida@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
> > >>>> The 19 has always fit mine fine... Try a 3/4? Actually if you have
> > >>>> not been in there in 10 years it's probably flat anyway, get a can of
> > >>>> fix-a-flat or a 'different' spare. Oh, this was written at 1030 this
> > >>>> morning... This has been solved one way or another...
> > >>>>
> > >>>> I try and pull mine every year or so just to check the air psi and
> > >>>> dump out the rocks..
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Rob
> > >>>> becida@comcast.net
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>> At  3/5/2011 10:34 AM,David M wrote:
> > >>>>> Nut looks to be like 19mm but my 19mm socket is a bit loose. Nut is
> > >>>>> very tight has not been removed in over 10 years but I desperately
> > >>>>> need to get my spare tire out and mounted. I tried WD40 but its real
> > >>>>> diffuicult to apply it and so far it refuses to yield and the socket
> > >>>>> continually slips. Anyone got any ideas? Personally, I think the
> > >>>>> whole concept of needing a special tool to access the spare tire is
> > >>>>> a dumb design.
> > >>>
> > >>> --
> > >>> David McNeely
> > >
> > > --
> > > David McNeely
> >