It's knee-jerk reaction time!

Any time someone mentions spacers this comes up.

Running the "proper wheel" may be much safer, but much safer than what? Much safer than safe enough? It costs a lot more but what are the benefits if the beginning condition is "safe enough"?

Where does this "proper wheel" idea stop?

I can make a decent case that running a wheel with a different offset or even a different diameter or width reduces the factor of safety of the spindle. Yet we do it all the time, as long as no spacers are used. But as soon as the spacer enters the picture it's taboo.

Circle track racers use spacers. I see them advertised all the time. I use a 5/16" adapter to run Dodge wheels on my Suburban. I've put 25,000+ miles on this setup and haven't had a single problem with it, yet it is "unsafe".

So IMHO use the spacers and enjoy the increased safety of decent tires this winter!

R.