Missing Spare Tire

[Craig P.]

I just took delivery of a pre-owned 2005 Providence diesel pusher on a Freightliner chassis. While taking the walk through at the dealer, I noticed that the rig's spare tire was missing. The service rep. told me that the previous owner had removed it to increase storage. He said the spare was a tire only, and that Fleetwood DP spares don't include the rim, due to the weight. Is this true?

[Craig P.]

I just took delivery of a pre-owned 2005 Providence diesel pusher on a Freightliner chassis. While taking the walk through at the dealer, I noticed that the rig's spare tire was missing. The service rep. told me that the previous owner had removed it to increase storage. He said the spare was a tire only, and that Fleetwood DP spares don't include the rim, due to the weight. Is this true?

[Teach]

Craig, my '06 didn't come with a spare. It has a special place for one and an instruction placard that says removing the spare from its nest is a two-man operation. I was told I really didn't need one since I would have to call a tire service company if I had a problem.

I think they are just cheap

[Gary RVRoamer]

It is usual on large Class A's to have no spare or a tire only. Tire failures are mercifully rare on properly maintained tires and you need a road service to come change a tire for you anyway, so having a spare mostly just saves you from having to purchases a tire out on the road somewhere, paying inflated prices for it. The space, cost and weight of carrying a 200-300 lb spare around is seldom justified in most people's minds, but it is a form of insurance and you have to decide for yourself.

[Craig P.]

Makes sense to me guys, thanks. I'm new to this whole DP experience, and since my gasser came with a spare, I was suspicious. Thanks again.

Craig

[wallynm]

Tell me where you plan on driving to camp and I will tell you if I were you if I would carry a spare or not. We travel across the Navajo reservation, parts of Utah and etc, and many other places off the beaten path. Therefore we carry a fully mounted spare, 20 ton jack, and etc. I also call road service first but if they take more than 6 or 8 hours I can changed it myself.