[TR] TR3A Spare Tire

[Randall]

> Does anyone have recommendations for a spare tire that will 
> fit into the spare tire trunk of a TR3A?

I found a "compact spare" at the local junkyard that fit on a stock TR3
wheel and fits easily inside my early spare tire compartment.  (The
compartment did get larger at TS6000.)  Not sure what car it was from,
possibly an 80's Nissan Maxima.  The wheel had the right bolt pattern, but
would not clear the brake calipers on my TR so I moved the tire to a TR3
wheel.  Tire size is marked as "T135/70D15".  Looks like the 2012 Honda
Civic Hybrid uses the same tire.  Also 95-98 Acura TL and 87 Mazda RX7.

Only problem, there is enough room left over in the compartment for the
spare to slide around.  I keep a spare blanket stuffed in beside it to
prevent the sliding; which also makes a handy knee protector while changing
tires or performing other roadside service.

It's my understanding that the temporary spares do not suffer from the "old
age" problem of ordinary car tires.  Of course they are also not recommended
for high speed or prolonged use.  That said, I drove about 2 hours at 70+
mph on mine, with no ill effects.

There's a photo at http://goo.gl/DPpp6  Kind of grungy since the tire had
just been forcibly removed from my wrecked TR3A.

-- Randall