Community Forums

bowpulpit · 11-09-2013, 06:58 AM

DW and I recently attended a rally and one of the attendees was quite adamant about carrying a spare tire. A lot of what he said made sense so I'm curious how many of you feel the same way.

Muncie_6spd · 11-09-2013, 07:08 AM

If your coach did not come with one where would you put it? I suppose you could mount it on the rear bumper but that would limit access to the engine in a DP and most likely would interfere with towing a toad. Maybe someone makes a swing away bracket for large wheels like Jeep Wranglers have but I haven't seen one. I don't have the largest 22.5 tires on mine but I was told by the dealer the tire alone weighs 90#, not something I want to wrestle with.

Mike

donhoward49 · 11-09-2013, 07:09 AM

I carry a mounted spare, in one of the bays. The only time I had a flat was a sunday and I was away from any city.. Tow trucks do not carry tires, not in your size. Mine is an old tire, but I will let the tow guy change it, then it will get me back in. At the very least carry an unmounted tire that they could put on if yours was bad.
My opinion is worth what you paid for it.

**CLIFFTALL** · 11-09-2013, 07:11 AM

I carry an unmounted 22.5" tire in my rear pass through basement.

vsheetz · 11-09-2013, 07:17 AM

Several threads here regarding this topic. A search will find them.

I carry a spare. This so I don't gat jammed while on a trip - waiting days for a tire, to buy a unmatched tire, or pay an high price for a tire.

In a previous coach I carried an unmounted spare in a storage bay. My current coach has a place for a mounted spare and wheel under the coach between the rear frame rails. In either case an ERS will readily make you whole again.

GaryKD · 11-09-2013, 07:29 AM

Hi bowpulpit,
I have always carried a fully mounted spare tire. It has not been needed very often. However, when needed, it made it worth it to carry the tire.

TeJay · 11-09-2013, 07:39 AM

Good question. We took delivery of our 2014 Vista 30T on July 29th. As we were finishing the PDI the tech rounded the corner and opened a side compartment just above the genny and said, "If you had a spare this is where it would be stored." That was the first time not having a spare was mentioned.
Weeks later I mentioned to the dealer that it would have been nice to know that one was not included and that maybe it should be offered as an option.

I also e-mailed WBGO and was told this. "It is not included because of the added weight."

Our tires are 19.5" here is what I will do if we have a flat. Since we have 6 tires it's simple. If we have a rear flat take it off and travel to the next exit and call road service or find a store to replace the tire. It won't hurt to travel some on three tires at a slower speed. If we loose a front tire take off a rear put it on the front and continue. I have a torque wrench that will torque to 150 Ft. Lbs. The 22.5" tires require 450 Ft. Lbs of torque. Very, very few individuals will have a wrench or a torque wrench to R&R those lug nuts. If you have a flat call AAA. Most owners of the coaches with the 22.5" tires have much of a choice.

I did price a used tire and rim from an RV salvage yard in MO and it would cost me $250 for a spare.

TeJay

adonh · 11-09-2013, 07:47 AM

Here is an option to carry a mounted large tire spare. Interesting Simpson Tire Mount - Carry a spare without a care.

njs42 · 11-09-2013, 07:51 AM

I do not carry a spare. None came with my Motor Home with 22.5 tires. I have roadside service and I pay attention to my tires and treat them well. I buy a good brand of tire. I had a slow leak from a puncture once, getting it repaired was a non event.

Basically to date I have not experience any major tire problems. That is also pretty much true of my entire driving experience over 55 years in all the vehicles I have ever owned. So while I am not dismissive of the possibility I believe the odds based on my experience do not justify carrying a spare.

If I get a flat or a blowout of course then I will have to deal with what comes. Waiting a few days for a tire if need be while staying in my own MH does not concern me as more than an inconvenience. Getting towed based kind of travel I do would not be a terrific problem to solve. If I am in a really inconvenient place on the road having road service tow me or change my tire actually solves that problem either way. I personally would not change a 22.5 tire myself even if I had the tools.

So I accept whatever risk there is in not carrying a spare.

bsinmich · 11-09-2013, 07:59 AM

My wife can not lift or change the tires on our MH so we have a 22.5" unmounted in one compartment and that could be changed if necessary. That is why w have road service.

njs42 · 11-09-2013, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adonh

Here is an option to carry a mounted large tire spare. Interesting Simpson Tire Mount - Carry a spare without a care.

Now that is just the kind of thing that might make carrying a spare workable for me. I'm going to think this over. Thanks for sharing a neat solution to a pesky problem.

Triker56 · 11-09-2013, 08:05 AM

Most ERS will bring a tire to you if needed. A 22.5" spare can cost over $400 and then after it ages(depends of what your replace age is) it will need replaced $$$ even if not needed.

Myself with only 2 Michelin zipper blow out since owning a RV for over 40 years.
I don't carry a spare. And don't put any Michelin tires on my MH anymore.

ERS took care of both replacements within a couple hours. And both new tires were a reasonable price and newer DOT dates then any spare carried would have been.

Actually one was cheaper then the other 5 replacements. So there was no rip off.

PyrateSilly · 11-09-2013, 08:06 AM

Our tires are 24.5's ...... no we do not carry a spare and there is no where to put one that size.

Ramblin · 11-09-2013, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowpulpit

DW and I recently attended a rally and one of the attendees was quite adamant about carrying a spare tire. A lot of what he said made sense so I'm curious how many of you feel the same way.

I carry an unmounted spare in a basement bay. Truck tire roadside service can unmount the old one and mount the spare for me. My concern is finding a replacement quickly while on the road. I don't want to be stuck somewhere for days.