Do I really need a spare wheel? (1 Viewer)

[Billy23]

I, like a lot of people, have to watch just how much stuff I put in the Motorhome as I may end up over weight. So my question is, as I am very unlikely to change a wheel if it was to go flat - I would call a man that would - do I need to carry a spare wheel? It weighs quite a bit and if I left it off I could put other things into the Motorhome .........or is that not a good idea?

Interested in your thoughts

 

[Geo]

Check your chosen recovery service small print, used to say, no spare = no service.
These days a lot of cars have no spare, only a useless repair can, so things may have changed or maybe NOT

 

[Billy23]

Check your chosen recovery service small print, used to say, no spare = no service.
These days a lot of cars have no spare, only a useless repair can, so things may have changed or maybe NOT

Yes that's a point, should have put that I am with ADAC, papers are at home, perhaps somebody that has same company will know.

Of course I realise that it may well mean that I have to buy a new tyre, but I would have to buy one to replace the spare in any case.

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[hilldweller]

Yes.

Unless you want to turn a minor glitch into a disaster.

Puncture - fit spare - go.

Puncture - phone ADAC - wait - remove tyre - take to tyre fitter when open - buy new tyre - return - fit - go.

You choose.

 

[WynandJean]

I have to say I'd hate not to have a spare, whoever ends up fitting it.

It seems completely wrong that vehicles can be supplied without. I'm sure it used to be illegal to sell a vehicle without a spare. Has that changed? Or was I misinformed?

Wyn

 

[wiljoy]

No spare is a little insane to say the least. The so called puncture repair solution is now supposed to be a possible cause of cancer and a lot of tyre repair companies are refusing to repair them on instructions from there insurers.
I would not like to have a 4 ton motorhome stuck anywhere waiting for a tyre, it has happened in the past. I load my van with essentials then take it from there. We used to carry all manor of stuff but most of it was never used. Now, after 28 years we travel light and create more space for wine from France.
Please don't compromise on your spare wheel, you may regret it big time.

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[Snowbird]

Not only do I carry a spare tyre on a rim, when outside the UK I carry a spare tyre casing on the roof as well. The reasoning behind this is that I can shop around for the best price deal on a tyre when at home but not when am stuck at the side of the road in Europe. I have been at the mercy of a French tyre company once. Never again

 

[Allanm]

I have a spare wheel on mine and full instructions on how to change it. Like a Boy Scout, I like to be prepared, so, as soon as I got the van, I thought I would do a dummy run
But, I have no idea how to get the spare off the mounting!
Allan

 

[vwalan]

as a matter of interest in spain .if you read instruction 08/v-74 ,,section 5 .equipment . it is a legal requirement to carry a spare and tools to change the wheel or a means of guarantee of keeping the vehicle mobile .

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[rangi]

I have removed the spare from under our Wagon and put it in the Locker. The last thing I want to be doing is grovelling around underneath, trying to get the spare off the mount:Angry:

And yes I realise I will have to empty the Locker to get it out,

BUT'

I'll have to anyway cause the bloody nuts that lower the spare mount to the ground, are only accessed from inside the Lockeroh:

 

[jb0371old]

if you are that close to your maximium weight limit, that you are considering losing the spare wheel for the weight, then I would seriously consider have you got the right van or are you transporting too much stuff.

 

[mitzimad]

I have removed the spare from under our Wagon and put it in the Locker. The last thing I want to be doing is grovelling around underneath, trying to get the spare off the mount:Angry:

And yes I realise I will have to empty the Locker to get it out,

BUT'

I'll have to anyway cause the bloody nuts that lower the spare mount to the ground, are only accessed from inside the Lockeroh:

good idea we stopped to offer assitance to a motorhome with a puncture in france he had a spare but could jack high enough to get it off the underslung holder

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[DiggerJon]

Spare wheel carrier

My Tribute T620 does not have a spare wheel as standard, so when I needed one for Morocco this year (flat tyre in desert, no spare? No thanks!) I found that my fiamma cycle rack had a payload of 60kg and an eBay spare wheel and tyre weighed 30kg. Problem solved - especially with a fold up bike under the table!

 

[Billy23]

I do carry a spare and will continue to have it on the MH, it was a question asked just to see what you guys thought, ...........and now I know:thumb:

Oh and no I am not that close to my top weight.

But when people say " we'll if you are that close to your weight, you should think about another MH", it seems the obvious thing to do..... But, although I had a Winnebago and spent time as a HGV driver, I have to consider this, I am over 70 years young, I have to have a medical ever 2 years to be able to drive a vehicle over the weight of 3.5 ton, so I go get a bigger MH and spend £ 10 to 50 k only to find that in less than 2 years I have to sell it cos the doctor won't pass me for HGV ( over 3.5 ton). I think that most would agree that it could be a VERY expensive way to go!

So some things are a tad harder, and not as simple as them there youngsters would hint that it is

Thanks for your input guys:thumb:

 

[hilldweller]

But, I have no idea how to get the spare off the mounting!
Allan

Our Ducato is horrendous.

Crawl underneath, using a spanner on two nuts, lower the carrier, supporting the weight of the wheel with one hand, unhook these two nuts. Slide out if lucky, if not jack the back up a bit to get clearance.

Not for the feint hearted.

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[Phill D]

again its a personal choice thing many motorhomes do not have spares but have a can of gooooo to pump into the tyre if punctured. most damage is done to tyres in the distance travelled after the puncture to a safe haven / side of the road, the side walls ca\n be affected if driven any distance.

our motorhome has no spare and i choose not to reduce my payload by adding one. however i have had puncture safe pumped into the tyres at £11 a tyre. Allegedly, well the demo i watched before buying saw a van drive over a plack of 6 x 4" nails and the tyre lost only minimal pressure as the punctures were sealed almost instantly. no repair is needed to the tyre as the solution fully seals any puncture hole.

there are of course limits to the number of punctures in any tyre and any cuts in the side walls above the tread will not be sealed.

had it in for over 8000 miles now.

its all down too how you want to manage your risks. some of us will sleep better knowing theres a spare wheel available ( even if you need to be Hudeni to replace it , others of us take other actions to reduce risks. your choice. oh:

 

[Snowbird]

Have had many punctures in small vans and motorhomes, mainly because I tend to venture off the beaten track. One thing I have found is that by the time you know you have a puncture in a motorhome the tyre is often beyond repair. The time it takes for a tyre to slowly deflate enough for you to feel it, the sidewall is beyond repair, so a tin of goo is not going to be much use. I have been in a situation in France where I have had to pay a grossly inflated price for a tyre which does not match the rest just because my spare was unserviceable. The tyre companies know you are not going to be a return customer and what are you going to do about it stuck at the side of the road with no way of getting a replacement spare. I presume those that don't carry a spare have not much idea of callout charges made by European tyre companies.

 

[Phill D]

Have had many punctures in small vans and motorhomes, mainly because I tend to venture off the beaten track. One thing I have found is that[HI] by the time you know you have a puncture in a motorhome the tyre is often beyond repair. The time it takes for a tyre to slowly deflate enough for you to feel it, the sidewall is beyond repair, so a tin of goo is not going to be much use. [/HI]I have been in a situation in France where I have had to pay a grossly inflated price for a tyre which does not match the rest just because my spare was unserviceable. The tyre companies know you are not going to be a return customer and what are you going to do about it stuck at the side of the road with no way of getting a replacement spare. I presume those that don't carry a spare have not much idea of callout charges made by European tyre companies.

totally agree..:thumb: thats why i had the puncture safe pumped into my tyres. it prevents this for a starter and also seals the puncture without you even noticing. tyre wall damage is another thing

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[Billy23]

again its a personal choice thing many motorhomes do not have spares but have a can of gooooo to pump into the tyre if punctured. most damage is done to tyres in the distance travelled after the puncture to a safe haven / side of the road, the side walls ca\n be affected if driven any distance.

our motorhome has no spare and i choose not to reduce my payload by adding one. however i have had puncture safe pumped into the tyres at £11 a tyre. Allegedly, well the demo i watched before buying saw a van drive over a plack of 6 x 4" nails and the tyre lost only minimal pressure as the punctures were sealed almost instantly. no repair is needed to the tyre as the solution fully seals any puncture hole.

there are of course limits to the number of punctures in any tyre and any cuts in the side walls above the tread will not be sealed.

had it in for over 8000 miles now.

its all down too how you want to manage your risks. some of us will sleep better knowing theres a spare wheel available ( even if you need to be Hudeni to replace it , others of us take other actions to reduce risks. your choice. oh:

Mmmmmm, interesting, I like the idea, but do you have to inform the insurance company? Just a thought as you have changed something on the vehicle away from standard and you know how insurance companies can be if you add or change your vehicle.

 

[Phill D]

i am with comfort insurance and when i took it out i mentioned i had puncturesafe in my tyres. they simply said thats ok. whether that would be an issue if i had a major claim will remain unknown "i hope"

 

[JJ]

You will not need your spare wheel...

...

...

...

...as long as you are carrying one and you keep it pumped up


However...

Remove it and leave it at home and you WILL need it.


I am not saying it is right... I am just saying it is the way it is...

I didn't invent Sod's Law... I just heard all about it.

JJ :Cool:

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[bobandjanie]

totally agree..:thumb: thats why i had the puncture safe pumped into my tyres. it prevents this for a starter and also seals the puncture without you even noticing. tyre wall damage is another thing

After many years of owning trucks, sitting for hours at the side of the road waiting for the tyre man to come out, oh: selling me the worst tyre possible and charging the earth for it.
I would not be without a spare wheel.

We had puncher safe in the last van and car trailer that had spare wheels and the Smart car that never had a spare.
Last trip in Spain we noticed Jims tyre things flashing one night.

These: Link Removed Well worth having. :thumb:

And tried to pump it up, and noticed the tyre was damaged on the inner wall, put the spare on, and after a visit to the tyre place we got the tyres we wanted fitted.
And not some rubbish that nobody wants. :thumb: Bob.

 

[Phill D]

i have said that side wall damage will not be sorted by anything except a new tyre.

i have set of Jim's tyre thingies fitted and are excellent. :thumb:

i am not saying puncture safe is the holly grail just an alternative if you dont have a spare wheel and either dont have, or dont want to give up, any payload.

i sleep easier knowing that i have "some " puncture protection ( if thats the correct description ), i agree a spare wheel is undoubtedly belt and bracers but at least i am more secure than just the standard issue goooo after the puncture.

personal choice is a wonderful thing :thumb:

 

[golly]

My Auto sleeper Surrey doesn't have a spare, I asked Auto sleeper if it was possible to fit one, quoted £1500 + VAT to move water tank, replace with smaller one and fit carrier and wheel. Needless to say I still don't have a spare.

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[hextal]

I just built a bracket for the rear door of the van im converting a slung the spare on that. can't have cost more than 30 quid and it will take the weight of the wheel; a pair if 15kg waffle boards and an 11 stone eejit bouncing on it to test it.

Spare wheel plus jack is circa 30kg from memory so not massive in the grand scale of things. unless your wild camping could you just drain down the water tanks to offset this.

 

[jonandshell]

We haven't a spare, so I will argue for NOT having one, although I wish we did!

I think for those of us who want to save weight, preventative measures are best observed. I check the condition and pressure of our tyres regularly. I spotted cracking on our 5 year old Pirellis recently. They were all changed, no questions asked, in the interests of our safety. Good tyres do not blow out except in exceptional circumstances. Fix and go gunge will address any slow deflation.

I am sure there are many who only rely on an annual MOT for tyre inspection...........

On my work vans I have only had one blowout in 300 000+ miles.

Does that not make it safer not to rely on a spare?

 

[stcyr]

Our spare is on a rack over the engine - lower 'bonnet' and slide wheel out, no probs.

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[Allanm]

Our Ducato is horrendous.

Crawl underneath, using a spanner on two nuts, lower the carrier, supporting the weight of the wheel with one hand, unhook these two nuts. Slide out if lucky, if not jack the back up a bit to get clearance.

Not for the feint hearted.

Mines a Peugeot and to remove the spare wheel I use the jack handle to operate a remote winder that lowers the wheel to the ground.
Simple so far
But, I just cannot figure out how I get the actual wheel off the bracket. The handbook just tells you to remove it but not how!
I suspect I should have another go, unless someone here knows how it's done?
Allan

 

[Phill D]

Mines a Peugeot and to remove the spare wheel I use the jack handle to operate a remote winder that lowers the wheel to the ground.
Simple so far
But, I just cannot figure out how I get the actual wheel off the bracket. The handbook just tells you to remove it but not how!
I suspect I should have another go, unless someone here knows how it's done?
Allan

and thats with all 4 tyres inflated... what would it be like with one rear tyre deflated balanced on a jack...

then u got to get the old one back in the cradle oh:

 

[Rapide561]

Tyre

Hi

I have a long story to tell, so will bullet point it here to simplify it.

1) Motorhome on a campsite and discovered I had a flat tyre. I did not have a spare on board but had a Fix n Go kit.
2) Called Camper Assist who said as it was not a warranty item, they would not assist
3) Called Camper Assist again after checking T's and C's of policy. Agent was deployed (RAC)
4) RAC arrived and advised they could not assist! (They sent a huge breakdown lorry and offered to recover me to a garage)
5) RAC man said "I know a man who can" and will arrange him to come here.
6) Tyre firm turned up. Jack supplied with the motorhome not man enough for the job so a bottle jack was used. He took the tyre away, repaired it and brought it back

The above took several hours to resolve.

Also, a Fix n Go kit is as much use as a pound of tripe in the event of a blowout. Think - blowout, middle of nowhere, poor signal on mobile etc.

I now have a tyre and a Fix n Go kit.

Russell

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