Spare wheel/tyre. Carry it or don't?

[TrickyDickyxyz]

My 3.5 ton Elnagh is always right on or just over weight and I don't waste weight by carrying excess hardly ever used items.
Which brings me to wondering if the underslung spare wheel and tyre comes into the hardly if ever used category.
I'm guessing but imagine the weight saving would be in the region of 30kg or so, maybe more. That's a lot of extra wine as other Funsters have said...
What thoughts are there about continuing carrying it or loading up with extra "wine" instead.

 

[mikebeaches]

No brainer - carry a spare.

 

[Puddleduck]

Check your breakdown insurance. If the spare was part of the original equipment they might not come out to you if you have a tyre / wheel issue.

Our van didn't have a spare wheel but after checking with our break down people we carry a spare tyre.

 

[Googlebot]

The only way of ensuring you never ever need it, is to leave it in the vehicle ready……

 

[icantremember]

I wouldn't have any motorhome or car without a complete spare. It's like any insureance, if you don't have it you can be in the mire.

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[Lenny HB]

Would never travel without a spare, not worth the risk. The current van is the first one we have not had a puncture in.

 

[The Dotties]

Take it off!

And within the first 100 miles………..

 

[Eggs]

Totally up to you, many vehicles don't come with a spare these days. I carry one.

 

[Phill D]

I would just take it off check it is all well and that the mechanism is serviceable and lubricated.
Then put it back.....

 

[Puddleduck]

I would just take it off check it is all well and that the mechanism is serviceable and lubricated.
Then put it back.....

And that the wheel is the correct size for the van and the tyre is in good condition.

Needing a tyre change and not having a spare is not a nice thing to happen ........

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[Jev88]

What are your plans when you have a flat or damaged wheel. You think breakdown company have van rated wheel and tyres?

 

[Lenny HB]

Also in France or Spain if the same tyre is not avalibe you will have to buy 2.

 

[cyberyacht]

I've just fabricated a bracket to hold mine on the front bulkhead of the garage. Frees up garage floor space and moves the weight closer to rear axle. Wouldn't want to be stuck without despite the 25Kg penalty. I think changing it might be 2.5 hours rather than Red Bull's 2.5 seconds. Job for the Mayday man, I think.

 

[Barryh]

We have an Autotrail with the spare on the back, so it’s there and we carry it. Wouldn’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere needing to source a new tyre.

 

[Stealaway]

In over 10 y

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[tkk]

Some Breakdown policies specify”serviceable spare” required for tyre related breakdown eg. Comforts policy
tk

 

[Phill D]

Some Breakdown policies specify”serviceable spare” required for tyre related breakdown eg. Comforts policy
tk

Can you quote the section and para please in the policy that is stated is I have not noted that on our comfort policy

 

[Stealaway]

I have not needed a spare wheel in over 20 years. I can't see me ever needing one now.
I'm not man enough now to change one of these big wheels anyway, even if the jack would lift it safely and the spanner wrench would undo the nuts. I've bought a breakdown and recovery service package - it's their problem.
Also my payload is so tight I couldn't afford the excess weight.

 

[Stealaway]

Some Breakdown policies specify”serviceable spare” required for tyre related breakdown eg. Comforts policy
tk

I would need confirmation of that statement.
Considering that most new motorhomes are no longer supplied with one. Or have the room or payload to carry one

 

[Reallyretired]

Mine didn't come with a spare and had a puncture in France which delayed us considerably. I mounted a spare on the towbar, as plenty of spare weight on the back axle. It's a sod to get on or off but at least I now have one. It prevents use of the towbar but if I'm using the toad the spare can go in the back of the toad.

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[Eggs]

Mine didn't come with a spare and had a puncture in France which delayed us considerably. I mounted a spare on the towbar, as plenty of spare weight on the back axle. It's a sod to get on or off but at least I now have one. It prevents use of the towbar but if I'm using the toad the spare can go in the back of the toad.View attachment 529178

What weight is your van plated at?

 

[deleted79651]

We have only the gloopy tyre gunge and I would kill for the space to carry a proper spare. I checked with AA who confirmed that they would attend a puncture assistance request but to reiterate early on that it will be a tyre gunge job so that they can ensure the Patrol has some on board. It still leaves us vulnerable to a blowout/wheel damage incident though. Still playing around with the calculations to see if we can travel with a spare inside the Van [Elaine will do her fruit, and will enquire, in all innocence, where I plan to keep the spare when we arrive on site. Tempting to reply 'in the passenger seat', but that would be pushing my luck a wee bit too far and I don't think a spare wheel can also fulfill the role of an enema ...

Steve

 

[Reallyretired]

What weight is your van plated at?

4000kg

 

[Phill D]

I would need confirmation of that statement.
Considering that most new motorhomes are no longer supplied with one. Or have the room or payload to carry one

I don't think that is correct any longer. I certainly have not found it in the details.
But, I am not presently in a position to check it again.

 

[icantremember]

This was a Saturday afternoon on the A14 Cambridge, en route to Devon with all the local tyre depots closed for the weekend. Called RAC and first question was to ask if I had a spare on board ... fortunately we did,

We now have HPC hydraulic jacks and carry the necessary spare and tools to be able to change a wheel myself without the wait for help. (unless on a motorway.)

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[tkk]

I would need confirmation of that statement.
Considering that most new motorhomes are no longer supplied with one. Or have the room or payload to carry one

Comfort in their “what this policy does not cover“ say “replacement of a wheel if no serviceable spare carried”
They probably would squirt the gunge though.
tk

 

[Stealaway]

Its a bit ambiguous.
They can't replace a wheel when it's not there.
Are they saying that they won't supply one if a serviceable spare is not in the van?
Or would they leave you on the motorway?
I can squirt the gunge, it's if it doesn't work that I need rescuing.

Comfort in their “what this policy does not cover“ say “replacement of a wheel if no serviceable spare carried”
They probably would squirt the gunge though.
tk

 

[tkk]

Not sure, Have just got spare so I wont find out

 

[Phill D]

Its a bit ambiguous.
They can't replace a wheel when it's not there.
Are they saying that they won't supply one if a serviceable spare is not in the van?
Or would they leave you on the motorway?
I can squirt the gunge, it's if it doesn't work that I need rescuing.

I believe it means they will not provide a spare wheel if you don't have one.
They will still recover you though or help get you sorted.

 

[deleted79651]

Its a bit ambiguous.
They can't replace a wheel when it's not there.
Are they saying that they won't supply one if a serviceable spare is not in the van?
Or would they leave you on the motorway?
I can squirt the gunge, it's if it doesn't work that I need rescuing.

It's why I rang the AA to ask the specific question. And also to clarify the cover, because the website said 'vehicles under 3500kg' [cannot remember exact wording, but, as written, it indicated that the GVW would have to be a maximum of 3499kg. The Call Centre person checked the actual policy wording and confirmed that the upper limit is 3500kg.

Steve