[weathergeek]

Yesterday while in the California desert, put 2 inch gash in my sidewall on a front stock tire. Put on spare, got back to camp and saw that dealer sold me a 12 inch wheel as my spare. Even though it fit, it was rubbing on the Brake line. So my questions are: What inexpensive 14 inch wheel to use for spare? Have any of you gone to 26 x 11 x 14 all the way around for tires? What tires are best for rocky hard terrain?

[NMKawierider]

Yesterday while in the California desert, put 2 inch gash in my sidewall on a front stock tire. Put on spare, got back to camp and saw that dealer sold me a 12 inch wheel as my spare. Even though it fit, it was rubbing on the Brake line. So my questions are: What inexpensive 14 inch wheel to use for spare? Have any of you gone to 26 x 11 x 14 all the way around for tires? What tires are best for rocky hard terrain?

Just my input.
1. You won't want 11" tires on the front due to the stresses to front end parts and the forces needed to turn them...even with PS. Went through that with my ATV.
2. There are no aftermarket wheels out there with the same offsets as the CFM wheels. Your best bet would be to buy a full set plus one extra front for a spare that can be used anywhere. 8" wide for the rear and 7" wide for the front.
3. As for tires, for desert, the tougher the better and there are a great number of good choices out there. One had been standing out lately for rock, sand and hard pack and that's the GBC Kanati Mongrel. Not the best-looking tire but a 10-ply Radial the did well at Baja. This may be my next tire...If I ever wear out my Reapers..which by the way are also a great tire.

[Wheels]

Get a set of 4+3 rims, and any 6-8pr tires,
Pattern comes down to personal choice.
About 26/10/14 will be as big as you wan to go in the front. Or 10" wide,
As NMK said you WILL run into steering line problems.

[weathergeek]

Thanks to both of you for your replies. Great info going forward.  The stock tires are POS's. It is a shame I can't go same size front and rear. What do you guys use for a spare that works front and rear? Or do you have 2 spares which of course on the trail is useless? Last question is the same wheel size front and rear being that one is wider?

[NMKawierider]

Thanks to both of you for your replies. Great info going forward.  The stock tires are POS's. It is a shame I can't go same size front and rear. What do you guys use for a spare that works front and rear? Or do you have 2 spares which of course on the trail is useless? Last question is the same wheel size front and rear being that one is wider?

Well, I don't have a spare. I use 8-ply radials and take a repair kit, jack and a small compressor with me on the trail. Never needed a spare but..could have use a compressor once so now I have one. If I was to get a spare, I think I would want it as small as possible so I would get one for the front and if needed for the rear just put a little more air in it. After all, its a spare, just something to get you back to camp with. If I was to get different wheels all 14s, I would get 8s for the back and 7s for the front. The front wheel would still fit the back if necessary. Probably 5+3s for the back a and 4+3s for the front. If I wanted to stay closer to the stock width, I might consider 6+2s on back and 5s or 4+2s on front...all 14" although some have bought 12" wheels and they work fine...ie don't hit the calipers...at least no reports that they do.

[Wheels]

You can run the same width all the way around, no worries.

[murdo]

I carry a front rim with a tyre the same diameter as the rears. Have not had to use it yet, but shorly will the day I leave it at home.

[weathergeek]

Thanks guys. Would have been VERY difficult if not impossible to patch my 2-3 inch gash in the sidewall. After all the rain, the desert trails have had a lot of sand washed away leaving nice jagged rocks.

@NMK. I currently have a 12 inch wheel as my spare. Even though close, it does not appear to hit the calipers but WAS rubbing on the brake line. I think that eventually that would be a problem. 

[NMKawierider]

@NMK. I currently have a 12 inch wheel as my spare. Even though close, it does not appear to hit the calipers but WAS rubbing on the brake line. I think that eventually that would be a problem. 

Good to know. Don't need anything to rub...anywhere.