Community Forums

UsualSuspect · 04-04-2014, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamJerryP

What are the reasons for not having a spare tire????
I just do not see the logic of choosing to be stranded................

If you use a 22.5" tire most rigs have no where to put one, unless of course you put it on the bed or somewhere else inside the rig as I my basement does not have enough room to store it, and I am not able to heave a heavy tire on the roof either. If take one and it is inside I would also have to find a way to secure it, nothing like slamming on the brakes and having something that heavy start rolling or flying around the inside of the rig waiting to stop on the back of your neck

. If you look at most long haul trucks, they do not have spares either.

tanstaafl · 04-04-2014, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamJerryP

What are the reasons for not having a spare tire????
I just do not see the logic of choosing to be stranded................

I have neither the tools nor the muscle to change out a 22.5" tire. That's why I have a roadside assistance plan.

rbpower · 04-04-2014, 05:50 PM

this is why I carry a full size spare on a rim under the coach 11R22.5 . changing to the spare on the roadside is free, getting charged for a new tire on the side of the highway is against my upbringing.

Rockcrawler · 04-04-2014, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanstaafl

I have neither the tools nor the muscle to change out a 22.5" tire. That's why I have a roadside assistance plan.

x 2

Wayne M · 04-04-2014, 09:45 PM

If I were to carry a spare, it would be the tire only. It could be in the back of the TOAD and stored under the RV when parked, or wherever. Any good tire service can mount a new tire on a rim.

Capt Steve · 04-05-2014, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gruelens

This is why I carry a bottle jack, jack stands, torque wrench and a 100 psi compressor all of which were purchased for around $100 at Harbor Freight.

The OP's signature shows a big Monaco diesel pusher. I would guess at least 295/22.5 tires. The coach is heavy, the tires/rims are heavy, the lug nuts are torqued to 450+ ft.lbs. Your average RVer is not physically able to change a tire like this safely, on the shoulder of the road, with or without Harbor Freight tools.

This discussion is not limited to folks with a Class A and the heavy 22.5" tires. My point was ERS may not be able to get to you for hours and the time spent on the shoulder puts you at risk. One of the big reasons folks go with a Class C is the superior safety they offer when contrasted with a Class A. The ability to change a tie with a few tools is just one of the many ways C's are safer and as noted for $100 worth of cheap tools you give yourself options.

I'll call Coach Net for help but know that if they cannot get to me right away I can change, repair and or reinflate that tire. We mostly camp, often a long ways from immediate help and are prepared to deal with most problems.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

CampDaven · 04-05-2014, 12:41 PM

Some of us are unable to change a tire. Others simply choose not to. And each has their own reasons.

I am physically unable to now, but did on my class C back when. But with ERS I dont have to.

The BIGGEST thing about ERS, and the 1st reason to have it, is not the tire change, it is the tow if disabled that can save many hundreds. It just so happens that they will also change my tire.

I dont have room for a spare. But I know they will bring one. If they dont bring one, they will need to start over.

If there is poor performance on the part of the ERS or the tire folks, it would so reported.

That is good enough for me, and hardly worth discussion.

IamJerryP · 04-05-2014, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbpower

this is why I carry a full size spare on a rim under the coach 11R22.5 . changing to the spare on the roadside is free, getting charged for a new tire on the side of the highway is against my upbringing.

Sounds logical to me.

Anyone ever plugged a hole??? you do not even have to change them
find the hole, is a nail, or screw hole, and the tire is not otherwise damaged, I just plug it, and move on...
I have heard all the warnings about plugging a hole, and how they should be removed, patched on the inside, but I have never had trouble.
Too much of a DYI guy I guess.
Never tried it with anything bigger than a 1 ton van though

JACKAL0PE · 04-06-2014, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamJerryP

Sounds logical to me.

Anyone ever plugged a hole??? you do not even have to change them
find the hole, is a nail, or screw hole, and the tire is not otherwise damaged, I just plug it, and move on...
I have heard all the warnings about plugging a hole, and how they should be removed, patched on the inside, but I have never had trouble.
Too much of a DYI guy I guess.
Never tried it with anything bigger than a 1 ton van though

The whole plug thing changed back in the 70's when they went from nylon, rayon and polyester belts to steel belts. Back in the 60's and 70's, a plug was the way to go. But when they went to steel belts, they found that the two sides of the belt would cut through the rubber plug and reopen the hole.

A number of modifications have been tried, leather plugs for example, that are much harder to "saw though" with those belts, but nothing except patching has proven commercially viable.

Personally, I think a plug is a great way to get yourself going again in an emergency, but I'd still stop at my earliest convenience and get it patched. Just my opinion of course.

Franka548 · 04-06-2014, 08:32 PM

Most tire shops charge between $35 and $50 to dismount and remount a truck tire plus the road call which varies it is usually a set fee plus mileage, unless it is after hours or weekend or holiday, then it is more. I don't see where GS is getting the $150 for a tire change, they are charging an amount that is for a whole service call. It sounds like GS maybe should look at new service providers, someone is ripping off the end users.
Frank

biker art · 04-06-2014, 09:56 PM

So far I'm happy with GS ERS . I have used for three tows for my auto and it was free. The best was when I had a motorcycle accident and had to be transported to the hospital, my bike was towed and impounded by the police. I was released that night and took the bike home by trailer. I called GS and they said I was covered for the tow. They reimbursed me $350. I have never had a call to them for my MH. If I get the bill for the ambulance within 6 months they will cover as much as $200 after my ins. pays off and there is a balance. Can't complain about that.

Ray,IN · 04-07-2014, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Steve

This discussion is not limited to folks with a Class A and the heavy 22.5" tires. My point was ERS may not be able to get to you for hours and the time spent on the shoulder puts you at risk. One of the big reasons folks go with a Class C is the superior safety they offer when contrasted with a Class A. The ability to change a tie with a few tools is just one of the many ways C's are safer and as noted for $100 worth of cheap tools you give yourself options.

I'll call Coach Net for help but know that if they cannot get to me right away I can change, repair and or reinflate that tire. We mostly camp, often a long ways from immediate help and are prepared to deal with most problems.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

That is why the operator you are talking to always asks "are you in a safe place?", as one of the first items they must record. If you say NO I'm not in a safe place, they phone local police to assist with your safety.

Capt Steve · 04-08-2014, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

That is why the operator you are talking to always asks "are you in a safe place?", as one of the first items they must record. If you say NO I'm not in a safe place, they phone local police to assist with your safety.

Spend a little time reading the various RV Forums and you will quickly realize that lots of folks spend an inordinate amount of time waiting for an ERS response. The police are not going to change your tire. If you are in a truly dangerous situation you should be talking to the 911 operator.

If you are on the shoulder of an interstate that is where you will remain until ERS gets to you. Telling ERS that you are not in a "safe" place may get you bumped up the waiting list and then again, it might not.

Tom-NC · 04-08-2014, 08:29 AM

Rockcrawler,

I have to disagree with as I have had Good Sam ERS and been a member since 1989 with no problems.
Also had Coach-Net and was unhappy with them but used them anyhow. I dropped them when they wouldn't put a spare on my tow dolly if I had a flat, however GS would take care of it.
GS will come out and put on your spare for free but if you don't have a spare they will charge you for the tire and to take the old tire off the rim and mount the new tire. Now this must be done the old fashioned way with tire irons and no machine to do it. Whatever they charge is worth it but they will come out rain or shine or even on a holiday.
My suggestion to you if you are so unhappy is to drop your GS membership and ERS and ask Loves to come out and fix your flats or tow you to a service place.