5 tire rotation - still a good idea?

[2kwik4u]

......you risk scratching your wheel on the bolt. Ask me how I know.............

You know that bolt comes out right? Just loosen it and remove it before you take the tire out, and no risk of scratch.

Also, you know the rear cover extends to 90 degrees upright as well? I didn't the first time I changed the tire, and it was way harder than it needed to be.

Just some thoughts to help the next time.

edit: I should add, Rivian recently updated their guidance on tire rotations, saying 9k miles to rotate. I would do it more frequently when doing 5-tire, but I don't base this on any math. Just seems like a good idea to keep the spare rotated in from varying too much.

I rotate at 5k, and am considering moving it even shorter. Was to close to having 3/32 difference between the spare and the worn tires on the first rotation. If I wait until 9k, I'll have mismatched tires for certain.

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[phaduman]

That's weird. DT (nor my local SCs) ever complain about my sliders. Maybe it's the differences between the sliders? I have the DCE and the area around the puck holes is pretty large (meaning, won't interfere with the SC's giant pucks). I wondered if other sliders have steel too close to those holes.

I have the popular 1EV/RMAXX boards and Rivian service centers are fine operating with them on. The AT center close to my office - didn't even try to see if their jacks would fit. I think they were sued earlier by some Rivian owner (perhaps more than one) for mishandling (vehicle slid off and damaged) that they have policy to not lift any Rivian with runners. I will try another AT store - hopefully it was local to one store and not a company-wide policy at AT.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I have the popular 1EV/RMAXX boards and Rivian service centers are fine operating with them on. The AT center close to my office - didn't even try to see if their jacks would fit. I think they were sued earlier by some Rivian owner (perhaps more than one) for mishandling (vehicle slid off and damaged) that they have policy to not lift any Rivian with runners. I will try another AT store - hopefully it was local to one store and not a company-wide policy at AT.

Search this forum alone. There are SCs and places that would not touch that particular running board or slider. And, most commonly associated with this challenge. There is no consistency between the SCs on this matter. And too many falsely assume, based on their anecdotal experience, that all SCs would not deal with aftermarket running boards/sliders or do 5-tire rotation. That is false. The correct answer is it depends on which SC, and what they are being asked to work on.

 

[Viper D-Day]

They have no reason to not support it, but they won't do it.

I’ve had the SC do a 5 tire rotation no problem

 

[avassigh]

I have searched a bit and with many pages to look for, wasn't getting to the point. So pinging the community for latest advice on rotations? I am putting 5 new tires (for spare as well). Wondering if I should do the 5-tire rotation policy, or 4-tire (most common) and leave the spare in the spare-well?

* Does Rivian support 5-tire rotation (any warranty violations)?
* The 5-tire rotation method: rearward cross: rears straight to front, fronts cross to back, spare to right rear. Correct?
* Finally, with a RTT tent on the truck (bed area on top of the accessorry rack), is it possible to access the full-size spare?

Thanks a lot!!

PN

I have a full size spare and will not do a five tire rotation. Instead, when I get a set of new tires, I’ll rotate the spare in at that time.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I have a full size spare and will not do a five tire rotation. Instead, when I get a set of new tires, I’ll rotate the spare in at that time.

Then you'd be stuck having to buy the same brand/model tire as the spare.

 

[2kwik4u]

Then you'd be stuck having to buy the same brand/model tire as the spare.

That's my problem. Gave away a perfectly new Pirelli because of that

Considering changing size AGAIN on the next set, and without a 5-tire rotation I would've done it a second time.

 

[Robot Overlord]

Do the harnesses come off and on easily, or with some difficulty?

Costco has unlimited muscles to unload and load at their end, so I'm only worried about making my burden manageable when loading, unloading, and storing at home.

Thanks in advance!

Super easy to slip on and off and snug it down with the straps. Using a spare tire harness is a game changer but so is lifting the spare cover to the full 90-degree position which isn’t possible with the RTT in the way. Just get one harness.

 

[Robot Overlord]

I have always done 5 tire rotations, at two different service centers. They charge $60, same as 4-tire rotation. I do my rotations every 7500 miles, since that used to be the recommendation (it's now 9000), and I did my first rotation at ~3750 miles to minimize the difference in wear between tires. I have like 0.5/32 difference between my tires after 40,000 miles.

Yes, they always do rearward cross exactly as you describe.

With a RTT it's probably possible, but you're not going to like doing it. The harness will definitely help, but it's going to be a bitch no matter what you do. If you plan to get a flat in the woods with your RTT on you might consider loading the wheel into the bed first, and using the underbed storage for something that's easier to retrieve. Or even taking the RTT off in order to get the spare out - it only takes 2 people to remove the RTT cross bars and all and set it aside - if you have someone with you this will make accessing the spare so much easier.

Super easy to lift with the harness, and you just need one. It’s a LOT easier to access the spare wheel well with the cover in the 90-degree position too, especially if you rotate your own wheels. If you don’t, I’d remove the screw that secures the wheel in place before hand rather than letting the service shop do this as a way to prevent the rim from being scratched.

 

[Robot Overlord]

Since I just went through all this, here's my findings:

- Discount Tire won't honor the full-coverage warranty on the spare if you don't do a 5-tire rotation.
- The Rivian manual says do 4-tire rotations, but for a dubious reason. I say ignore it. You shouldn't drive for extended time on tires with widly varying tread, so it's important to keep the spare as close as possible in wear. If you tear a tire, and a replacement is out-of-stock, you'll be happy your spare is ready to go. I've been there with a mismatching spare, it sucks.
- I decided to rotate them manually for "fun", and did the 5-tire rotation using the guide provided by DT on their website.

As for the tire harness, I bought and used the tire harness as well as just using ratchet straps to lift it out:

- I found it incredibly difficult and time consuming to put the harness on, but I have nokian outpost nATs which are a hair larger than stock (still 34"s). Easy to take out and looks nice, but it lifts from one side and you risk scratching your wheel on the bolt. Ask me how I know.
- Using ratchet straps is so much quicker, and I found it easier to lift out, lift with my legs, and it lifts straight up rather than at an angle. I just ran the strap through the spoke holes on the wheel, and lifted straight up from both end of the strap.

I wouldn't purchase the harness again after using the straps. But I already have the harness now, so it's on.

edit: I should add, Rivian recently updated their guidance on tire rotations, saying 9k miles to rotate. I would do it more frequently when doing 5-tire, but I don't base this on any math. Just seems like a good idea to keep the spare rotated in from varying too much.

Before you lift the spare tire out of the well, you have to totally unscrew and remove the retention bolt from the base of the well. Use one of the hex holes in the “nut” that holds the wheel in place. The bolt hex head fits in the securing nut - hex firing is offset from the center. This gives you the field expedient “wrench” to loosen and tighten the bolt. This is the way to avoids damaging your spare wheel rim.

 

[VSG]

Super easy to lift with the harness, and you just need one. It’s a LOT easier to access the spare wheel well with the cover in the 90-degree position too.

I think you missed the fact that the question, and my answer that you quoted, was about doing this with a rooftop rent mounted on the bed. I stand by my answer - it's not going to be easy. There's only ~24 inches between the bed and the bottom of the tent if you're using the Rivian crossbars, and the lid of the spare tire compartment can only raise by ~30 degrees, not 90. Imagine crawling under your kitchen table (which would be a little roomier, btw) then trying to pull that spare out sideways instead of straight up, while on your hands and knees - it's an entirely different proposition ...

 

[phaduman]

And it’s 80lbs large donut. I completely agree and dread that time when I have to do it. Almost think it’s a good idea to install the bed cages and install RTT on top of that - aerodynamics go for a toss, perhaps also the CG (with a higher mounted RTT). But in return, get a much more functional space for the bed. Oh - it’s a never ending spending cycle

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Even w/o RTT, just the crossbar installed, the compartment doesn't open far enough for you to get good enough grip and leverage on 80+ lbs of large round mass. You can get it out, but it's a struggle.

This is where the harness in the Gear Shop make a difference. It has a nylon strap with a handle, to give you a good hand hold and leverage, to lift it up and drag it out. $70 is a bit high for nylon and synthetic fabric. But, considering cost of a R1, no one should be balking at $70.

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