5 tire rotation - still a good idea?

[Dave Cundiff]

As I said previously. It’s not difficult. And the product guide has been available online.

https://assets.ctfassets.net/2md5qh...1t-tire-lift-harness-guide-en-us-20260116.pdf

Got it! Thanks so much, @UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan!

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[phaduman]

Slightly tangential: American Tires (DT owned) will not lift my rivian with the running boards on. I just bought new GoodYear Territory AT from them. It will be crazy to remove the boards every 5K miles (those RTMaxx boards are heavy) for rotation. Rivian Service Centers have had no issues rotating with the boards on and I showed them my service history. But it's policy per AT/DT.


Whatever Rivian has done to update their tools/process so the Rivians do not fall off the lift (with running boards - I believe that was the reason why this policy came into effect...), AT/DT needs to update ASAP. They have such a strong business already with Rivian customer base.

 

[Dasoss]

They have done it for me. Although I’m now having it done at America’s tire where I got the replacement tires and rotation is included.
My prime reason is that I don’t want to find out 3 years later the spare tire is flat. Because it is only looked at when there is another flat.

The compact spare is always flat. Having a compressor is a good idea.

 

[ElGuano]

The compact spare is always flat. Having a compressor is a good idea.

I think he has an R1T, which has (or has room for) the full-sized spare.

Even if the spare if flat, remember, there is always the on-board compressor! A flat spare is probably not from a nail, or at least will be a slow enough leak where you can still use it.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I think he has an R1T, which has (or has room for) the full-sized spare.

Even if the spare if flat, remember, there is always the on-board compressor! A flat spare is probably not from a nail, or at least will be a slow enough leak where you can still use it.

Not all gen2 have the on-board compressor. That became an option with gen2 for some trims.

 

[Dasoss]

I think he has an R1T, which has (or has room for) the full-sized spare.

Even if the spare if flat, remember, there is always the on-board compressor! A flat spare is probably not from a nail, or at least will be a slow enough leak where you can still use it.

My point is that the compact spare is relatively easy to handle. The gear shop sells a compact compressor-at a ridiculous price.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

My point is that the compact spare is relatively easy to handle. The gear shop sells a compact compressor-at a ridiculous price.

Compact spare is better than none. But, for anyone who goes off-road and is getting a spare, the emergency space saver spare can get slashed and punctured much easily than the actual failed tire it replaces. Space savers are meant for short distances and low speed. Often referred to as a "50/50", no further than 50 miles and no faster than 50 mph on-pavement.

 

[ElGuano]

Gotcha.

 

[mwexler2]

I think he has an R1T, which has (or has room for) the full-sized spare.

Even if the spare if flat, remember, there is always the on-board compressor! A flat spare is probably not from a nail, or at least will be a slow enough leak where you can still use it.

Unless it’s been sitting in the back for 8 years in widely ranging temperatures and is starting to rot.

 

[buglas]

I had America's Tire do my 5 tire rotation and should have made sure to specify that they do rearward cross but instead they just rotated them all clockwise so for anyone doing it there, make sure to ask

 

[2kwik4u]

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

They did mine in January when asked.

 

[jaredm]

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.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

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.

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.

Rivian owner guide recommendation is limited and conservative for sake of their liability—because tread depth difference of over 3/32” can cause errors with modern traction control software. Instead of acknowledging and allowing that nuance, they chose a narrow path that gives broader CYA. As long as you are in the know and SC willing to serve… nonissue.

 

[phaduman]

DT (American Tire this side of Rockies) is refusing to service tires with the running boards on. Rivian doesn't have issues...I had to remove them (8 bolts on each side) for new tire install this time at AT. While they can do 5-tire rotation, not sure I will be able to remove and reattach the running boards every 5K miles :-(. My only option is for Rivian to do it (hopefully) at doing this at home will be back-breaking (and thanks for the tips @jaredm - this will be useful in case that is my only option). I do plan to rotate every 5K miles with 5-tire rotation to keep tread gaps minimal...

 

[jaredm]

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 really hope I don't have to take mine off in the future, the DCEs have a ton of bolt points..

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