The answer I have gone with for many years is to buy new tires in a set
of 5 instead of 4. Then you have a fully matching spare to rotate in and
can still have a matched set of 4 on the van if 1 of the 5 should get
damaged beyond use. By regularly rotating the spare in you can get the
extra cost back out in tread life.

The notion that finding a 15" replacement on the road is easier than a
14" may not hold up well in the real world. The size and weight category
of 15" that corresponds to stock 14" size is not such a common one.

Mark

Steve Williams wrote:
> ......  Part of my concern would be tire
> replacement when travelling... I don't want to have to wait weeks for
> someone to order in a specific 14 inch tire!  I feel the chances of
> getting a 15 inch replacement on the road are much better.
>
>