The "great" spare tire debate

[WDW]

I plan for contingencies. It's my nature.

So I'm stuck on the idea of not having a spare tire on board for an upcoming cross country trip that will probably last between 5 & 7K miles.

Last year we bought the roadmaster spare tire carrier for the hitch mount. We used it halfway through the trip and because I felt that it was straining the hitch we removed it and toted it home in a compartment . The RM hitch spare tire carrier changed the elevation on our tow and provided a lot of slack bouncing in towing or Jeep Cherokee. We took it off and wound up loading and unloading the spare tire from the Jeep when we would stop for a few days and had the hassle of dealing with that. It will not fit in a compartment. Engineering wise there certainly is enough capacity and all the numbers for it to work. But the practicality of it is I'm not sure that it's the wisest product on the market for gas motorhomes with 5 to 7000 K rated hitches. Maybe it'll work better for DP's with a 10,000 pound hitch. [mod edit]

So I've toyed with the idea of trying to figure out how to mount a spare tire underneath between the gas tank in the rear of the coach where the hitch mounts to the frame.
I believe there's enough room. And a reasonably believe we have enough clearance in most situations given the likelihood of us bottoming out is a small percentage chance. I think?

I know the other contingency and we have those in the form of plastic cards and Coach-Net. But that may not cut the mustard on the side of the road somewhere along the way with DW and family.

Your suggestion and ideas to solve my dilemma will be appreciated.

Here is a trucker product by STEMCO - haven't found one to look at to see if it can be mounted similar to what you see on pick up trucks to hoist a tire and rim. Anyone have any experience with this idea?

[ThePowells]

I don't know what you have but I am in the same boat as far as wanting to be prepared. What I am looking at is a 1X4 piece of channel iron to put across the frame rails and then bolt a pick up truck spare tire carrier to it to carry the tire. I am going to look at some newer F350s to see how their spare tires are mounted and see if it is adaptable and can work with the frame extension..

[DENSHER]

I have changed flats twice during my RVing life both times where on a Class C so spare was located in rear on cable winch like this and my DP has spare mounted similar but sets forward of the rear dif with crank access inside a curb side storage compartment. @ issues I have were/are; 1 - after getting all hot, sweaty, & wore out changing the flat it is a pain in the butt crawling under there to store the flat until reaching next place to purchase new tire. 2 - stored out of sight = out of mind and I forget to check the tire pressure before hitting the road. I forgot all about the spare on the DP when I purchased TPMS. This post has reminded me I need to extra sensor and add it to the monitor.

[twojayhawks]

Have you looked at carrying the spare on the roof of the coach?

[vsheetz]

My 2002 Pace Arrow on Ford chassis had a 19.5" spare mounted underneath between the frame rails at the rear. A 22" would not have fit between the rails I don't believe. If you have Ford and 19.5" it may be as easy as finding and retrofitting the mounting hardware to your coach.

[super_rep]

Originally Posted by WDW

I plan for contingencies. It's my nature.

So I'm stuck on the idea of not having a spare tire on board for an upcoming cross country trip that will probably last between 5 & 7K miles.

Attachment 162380

Forget the spare!

We've had two motor homes in the last 24 years. Been in all 49 states, Alaska twice and across the US 12 times without a spare and had to call road service for a flat only once. Found it while in a campground and tire service was within 1/4 mile - and that was last week. Didn't delay us at all since we were parked for 10 days there.

On a trip from AZ to PA right now and no spare.

[Cooperhawk]

At my age I can't envision me changing one of the tires on our coach. Pretty big and mounted using an impact wrench that means I could probably not break them loose by hand anyway. I don't carry a spare for the coach.

The Toad and the Tow Dolly however have spares in the trunk of the toad.

[Twomed]

Unmounted spare on the roof.

Truck Down app on the phone.

Ca$h

[Unplanned Tourist]

Originally Posted by super_rep

Forget the spare!

We've had two motor homes in the last 24 years. Been in all 49 states, Alaska twice and across the US 12 times without a spare and had to call road service for a flat only once. Found it while in a campground and tire service was within 1/4 mile - and that was last week. Didn't delay us at all since we were parked for 10 days there.

On a trip from AZ to PA right now and no spare.

Not that I am superstitious or anything, but I hope you didn't just jinx yourself.

[vsheetz]

I have carried a unmounted spare in our two previous coaches, but am not in the current coach. Not entirely comfortable, but trying to get used to it.

[Fiesta48]

Blow outs and flat tires are very rare. Especially if you inspect and keep inflation as required. Most truck and RV tires are 14-16 ply. 75-125 lbs. Torqued on 150-450 ft lbs. Then you need jacks, several wrenches, jack pads, tire lifting tools, a wide enough space to do it, the strength. My 32k lbs coach it not something to be unsafe around.

[DryCreek]

The fact that the Winnebago Sightseer had a location for the spare tire helped seal the deal when we bought our unit.

For those of you who don't want to go to the trouble to carry your own spare because you have ERS and a credit card, or consider yourself just too old or ill-equipped to do manual labor, consider that would happen if you are out of reach of a cell tower. While you may not be able to make use of a mounted spare, a good-natured passerby just might be able to...........................

[WDW]

I'm not interested or inclined to change a tire on the MH. I'd even think twice with the Jeep -- but availability of a tire for the MH is key. The fact I've got it mounted is a plus. Never needing it is priceless.

[WDW]

Originally Posted by DryCreek

The fact that the Winnebago Sightseer had a location for the spare tire helped seal the deal when we bought our unit.

For those of you who don't want to go to the trouble to carry your own spare because you have ERS and a credit card, or consider yourself just too old or ill-equipped to do manual labor, consider that would happen if you are out of reach of a cell tower. While you may not be able to make use of a mounted spare, a good-natured passerby just might be able to...........................

What year and where is it mounted on your coach? You might have a solution in the design.