Unscrupulous people

[Neckender]

my van goes in for its second habitation check next Tuesday, so today I started to empty our van ready for this.
I also decided to drop the spare wheel for the first time and lubricate the winding mechanism, I was shocked to find a part worn second hand wheel and tyre fitted which also had a large screw through the tread.

I phoned Our supplying dealer and complained about the wheel fitted and told him that it had never been removed from new, they said that they couldn’t explain how this had happened and they would look at it on Tuesday.

I’ve racked my brains where the van had been left for any work, and the only people that I can think of was Platts garage who were our local Fiat “Professional” garage.
Our van had 2 recalls when we first bought the van and it went to Platts for the work to be done, any way Platts ceased trading and I started to get a burning smell in the cab after a couple of miles.
I contacted Fiat and a garage in Derby had a look and they said that the work that Platts had been paid for by Fiat had not been done, so Fiat gave the go ahead for the work to be done again.

So I’m fairly sure that Platts garage also swapped my new spare wheel and tyre for this punctured and fairly used one.
What do others think.

John.

 

[Paul and Kate]

Defo
Only ever heard bad reports of platts.
Sherwoods in Eturia is now Fiat professional if you didnt know John.

 

[Lenny HB]

So I’m fairly sure that Platts garage also swapped my new spare wheel and tyre for this punctured and fairly used one.
What do others think.

That would be my assumption too.

 

[Barclaybasher]

If you google Platts Fiat you get to the website of motordepot who took over their site.

They have nothing to do with Platts but say Platts' staff are now employed at that site

Might be worth a visit a letter or email...

.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Having thought on...

Motordepot are using Platts website to link to them so might have some liability...

Definitely worth a visit...

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[TerryL]

Actually it wouldn't be all that difficult for anyone with the correct winding handle (e.g. another motorhome owner ) to surreptitiously remove your new one to replace the punctured wheel on their own van. At least you got the old one back!

Be careful about making accusations that are unprovable, even about a defunct company.

 

[wiljoy]

Not a new event swapping tyres. A guy near me works for an executive new car dealership and swapping customers tyres is common place. Off with the 6mm item and replace with 3mm. A customer who doesn't check there vehicle will NEVER notice.
Totally shocking but it's not rare.

 

[gus-lopez]

That would be my assumption too.

Ditto

 

[Hollyberry]

So when taking a vehicle to a garage, would a dab of nail varnish ( bright colour) cause any harm to a tyre ? You’d at least know you got the same tyres back.

 

[Just smiffy]

So, in this case stealers actually live up to their reputation....

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[Barclaybasher]

Last year I asked my tyre fitters to remove the spare from under the MH knowing I wouldn't be able to get it out myself. The fitters said the carrier under the van was seized solid and I would never have got it down at the roadside - they did it on their ramp. I keep the spare in the garage of the van but noticed that the wheel itself was really corroded but the tyre was obviously new.

I just checked the date on the tyre - 05/01

It was new - when the van was new!! 2001 ...and had not been from under the van

18 years without a puncture?

 

[Feltwell]

Last year I asked my tyre fitters to remove the spare from under the MH knowing I wouldn't be able to get it out myself. The fitters said the carrier under the van was seized solid and I would never have got it down at the roadside - they did it on their ramp. I keep the spare in the garage of the van but noticed that the wheel itself was really corroded but the tyre was obviously new.

I just checked the date on the tyre - 05/01

It was new - when the van was new!! 2001 ...and had not been from under the van

18 years without a puncture?

My van was 9 years old when I got it and the spare had never been out of the carrier I think - the carrier was seized on mine as well. Luckily I found this out at home when I didn't need the spare, so it was out with the blowtorch, a bit of heat on the seized winding mechanism and it came free - now with lots of lovely copper grease on the thread to stop it seizing again!

I did change the tyre - and repaint the rusty wheel, and give it a bit of Waxoyl (not on the tyre!) before putting it back under the van. I only changed the tyre for a cheap van one though, still the right load rating - didn't seem worth putting an expensive camper tyre on it. Of course many argue the same for the rest of the wheels!

Really bad though that someone would nick the spare as the OP found. Not sure there's much you can do about it now though, other than grin & bear the cost of a new tyre.