I am getting new Nitto Trail Grapplers 285/70/R17. My old Tires are El Dorados 265/70/R17 and are in very good shape with probably 25,000 miles still left on them. Seems like they are worth almost nothing on Craigslist/EBay so not worth selling. Is there any good reason for me to keep them or should i just have the tire shop discard them?

2nd question - the new tires are very expensive and i do not want to pay for a 5th spare wheel that will likely not fit under the bed where the spare tire goes. if i get a flat with the Nitto 285/70/17's, can i use the old OEM 265/70/R17 spare just to hobble home?

 

Yeah, you can get home home. Maybe build a tire swing....or use them as planters. Idk.

 

Spare tires have always been narrower... There are no issues at all using this size as a spare tire.

25k miles left? Take them back, they will most likely sell them... If I were you, I'd sell them on craigslist. Just measure the thread depth remaining (in 32nd of an inch).

 

Most tire stores will give you a little something for them. Probably as much as you'll get yourself without the hassle. Folks come into tire stores quite often wanting to buy just 1 or 2 used tires. Be sure to bring that up, if not they may not say anything and just keep them for later sale.

The new tires size is about 1" taller and 3/4" wider than what you have. That shouldn't cause much of a problem for a temporary spare. Not something I'd want to run for an extended time and I'd only use 4X4 in an extreme emergency with odd size tires on there.

 

I have sold several complete sets of used tires on Craigslist. Never had a problem selling good used tires with plenty of tread left on them.

 

Pretty sure you have some used tire shops around your area, if they are in that good of shape you should have no problem selling them.
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^...This. In my city, there is a small privately owned tire shop that will sell used tires to someone who has a blow-out and just needs something to get back home with. Even if you only get 10 dollars each, its better than nothing.

 

I sell on Craigslist. Even if you just get $50 for them, it saves you from throwing them away and it buys dinner for you and the wife.

 

They may be narrower but the outer diameter will be the same size as the standard tire. If you upsize the tires on the truck, I wouldn't use a smaller diameter spare tire on the same axle unless it was your last option.

 

Yeah, you never get good money for used tires. Always well less than half the cost of new. Even when you're selling big expensive off road tires that are in good shape, you take a huge hit.

Throw them on Craigslist for about 40% of their original cost. Drop the price a little bit every week or so until you get a buyer. A little patience and you'll get a fair amount of money for them.