4x4 Spare Wheel Cover.

London_Town

I've just bought a 9 year old Land Rover and the spare wheel (alloy) is on the back door. Looking at other 4x4's on the road, the vast majority seem to have a spare wheel cover.

My alloy is naked (??!!) and I just wondered whether these covers are actually useful or just cosmetic? The dealer told me it's not about to be stolen as it has locking bolts like the road wheels.

If theft isn't an issue, all I can think of is maybe the tyre perishes quicker due to it's additional exposure to UV? I admit I'm guessing here.

Therefore, can I make a cosmetic decision as to whether I buy a cover or should I be getting one for a genuine reason?

Any feedback from other 4x4 owners would be much appreciated.

Hammyman

The tyre doesn't perish any quicker than the other four. It does keep muck and salt off the alloy, stopping corrosion setting in but thats it.

Gloomendoom

London_Town wrote: »

Therefore, can I make a cosmetic decision as to whether I buy a cover or should I be getting one for a genuine reason?

Isn't buying one just because you want one a genuine reason?

forgotmyname

On the odd sunny day the spare can get very hot and tyres can perish faster than one thats been used on the car.

A cover helps, But if its a black cover it will get just as hot anyway.

Look at the bonnet mounted tyres on old landrovers, If they dont get used they start to crack and perish.

London_Town

Hammyman, forgotmyname - thanks both, you've tipped me towards getting a cover.

Gloomendoom - thank you, on reflection, you're so right.

emmell

As hammyman says, it will keep it clean, so if you have a puncture and need to change the wheel, the spare will be nice and clean to handle.
But you might still get your hands mucky taking the road wheel off
I would get a cover, actually I've just bought one for a Disco off ebay
ML.

epninety

If you just want a typical vinyl wheel cover, have a sniff around the local 4x4 vehicle sales specialists. I've never bought one yet.
If your vehicle is a especially good looking or eye-catching, they will be happy to have you advertise their enterprise with one of their covers.

If not, you can maybe grab one they've taken off a vehicle they are selling.

Oh, and if you don't want to advertise the helpful garage, halfords semi-matt black spray takes well on vinyl covers....

London_Town

My next thought then, is what type to go for. Looking at some Disco's parked in the work carpark, they all seemed to have the black faux leather type ones. I've seen them on ebay for about £10.

Epninety - you make an interesting point about the fact that the covers often advertise a garage. I do have a local Land Rover specialist and I've seen one of their covers in a carpark. I think I'll give them a ring, but I don't see that I should have to pay very much for something that advertises their business. Personally (I suppose because I chose it!) I think my car is a good looking example. It may be 9 years old, but it's very original, in metallic gold with the larger wheels. I think it's well worth a sponsorship deal!