No Class C Spare Tire

[tcg]

Originally Posted by Capt Steve

The problem with waiting for an ERS to come change your tire is that it might be a while... a very long while. Read through this and other RV Forums for an unlimited supply of horror stories about ERS response times. Keep in mind you will probably be sitting on the shoulder as traffic roars by.

It is great when they respond quickly and solve your problem but if my ERS {Coachnet} says they will be more than 20 - 30 minutes I will change it myself and get the heck out of the dead zone.

Also, by having the proper spare, inflated on the proper wheel not to mention all of the tools necessary to safely change the tire I have options. Any tow truck or good samaritan could seriously shorten the time spent at high risk.

Also double check with your ERS and verify your coverages. Some will not come to private campgrounds/RV Parks and some even balk at changing an inside dually tire {AAA}.

Read the fine print, you just might not like what you see.

If I'm on the shoulder with traffic roaring by I will not be on that shoulder changing a tire on my RV or vehicle.

Those other vehicles roaring by have been known to hit people changing a tire. I would rather wait until another vehicle shows up with large flashing lights.

I would also not allow a Good Samaritan to help because of the danger.

But... you certainly have the right to handle your flat tire in whatever way you think is best.

I also carry a full spare so that whoever shows up to change it can do it quickly without having to repair or find a replacement.

[Tireman9]

When we bought our 2008 and the 2016 Class-C we had a written list of "Must Have", "Must not have" and "It would be nice". This way we got what we wanted, including a place to mount the spare.
IMO too often people buy an RV based on the lights in the ceiling and "bling" around the TV rather than looking at the features and functions that are important to them as owners.


My Coachmen Freelander 22QB has 3/4" 12" x 15" (approx) Plywood well mounded in the forward end of the basement wall between a couple of studs. There is a 1/4" plate steel mount with 3 bolts welded to it that are the same size as the wheel studs. I use 3 extra lug nuts to bolt the wheel & tire to the plate and the plate is bolted to the 3/4" plywood reinforcement in the wall. The weight of the wheel & tire is on the floor of the basement. Afer 28,800 miles no sign of movement or loosening. The tire is out of the sun so it isn't being baked.

[Scotty D]

This may be by design but the tire does not fit into any of the exterior compartments. Even if it did it would take up an inordinate amount of space.

I will not bring it in the coach. That is just a bad idea. Short-term and in an emergency, maybe.

I did not think of inquiring to the manufacturer. My guess is that there is not an option for that through them. The salesman told me that "they"(whomever that is) don't want owners changing their own tires.

I get it. But, having the proper sized tire/wheel on-hand when needed is money in the bank.

If I may be allowed to hypothesize, I submit that it is a cost and time saving step in addition the new-found shedding of liability phase that is all the rage these days.

I am appreciating all of the tips and thoughts.

Searching On...

Scotty D

[tcg]

Originally Posted by Scotty D

I will not bring it in the coach. That is just a bad idea. Short-term and in an emergency, maybe.

Scotty D

What's bad about storing it inside?

[Scotty D]

1. In the way.
2. Off-gassing.
3. 70 Lb. Projectile.
4. Rubber scuffing on everything.

[tcg]

Originally Posted by Scotty D

1. In the way.
2. Off-gassing.
3. 70 Lb. Projectile.
4. Rubber scuffing on everything.

It's under the bed in unused storage so not in the way.

Off gassing? Never noticed any smell but I guess there could be something. It is covered and I've not smelled anything when looking in the storage are but I guess it's a possibility, not one I'm concerned with.

Projectile? It's secured under the bed. I think my cat is a bigger projectile along with the dishes and microwave.

Rubber scuffing? Nah, it rolled right down the hall and fit nicely.

It's not a solution for everyone but it is an option that worked well for us.

[Brad2018]

The 26HE doesn't have storage under the bed. It's on a slide and only has an outside storage. A tire won't fit.

The only interior space that would work is the bunk above the cab. I wouldn't even consider that an option unless it was an emergency.

[Hokie-Dave]

Originally Posted by Scotty D

I did not think of inquiring to the manufacturer. My guess is that there is not an option for that through them. The salesman told me that "they"(whomever that is) don't want owners changing their own tires.

I get it. But, having the proper sized tire/wheel on-hand when needed is money in the bank.

If I may be allowed to hypothesize, I submit that it is a cost and time saving step in addition the new-found shedding of liability phase that is all the rage these days.

I am appreciating all of the tips and thoughts.

Searching On...

Scotty D

Yes, I just suggested asking the MFG since THEY DO install them at the factory.

[1982]

In my 45 years of driving, I have had only one tire that needed repair (a slow leak that I spotted at a gas fill-up).

Now, for the first time in my driving history, I have a Class C, without a spare.

I have always bought quality tires, replaced them before they "aged out", stayed at or below the speed limit, and in my last 20 years of RV'ing, weighed my rig and have had a TPMS system. And, should the unlikely happen, I have road service through my insurance.

As I got older, I decided not to worry about "low probability" events that do not have a "high impact". Waiting for road service to appear, does not fall into my "high impact" category.

[Tireman9]

Get a TPMS. Most punctures will need minutes to pressure so you may be able to travel a couple miles to a rest area, off rampor emergency parking area.
till you loose 20% of the needed pressure you may not be doing damage to the tire.


My plan if/when my TPMS warning goes off is to slow a bit to be sure I have complete control of the vehicle. Keep an eye on the pressure report and look for location to pull over ASAP. With luck I will have a place where I can safely change my tire. OR be in a location where the service person can safely change the tire.
Yes tire failure is extremely low probability if you take care and monitor your tires. Having space for a spare tire, even if not mounted was on our "must have" selection list. I can keep an older tire, not tie up money with a new tire as a spare and still have some space to store some stuff inside the tire where the wheel goes. Not as heavy either.
Roadside Service can change and inflate a tire and Iam not stuck being forced to buy a way overpriced tire.

[n-e-d]

Originally Posted by Tireman9

Get a TPMS. Most punctures will need minutes to pressure so you may be able to travel a couple miles to a rest area, off rampor emergency parking area.
till you loose 20% of the needed pressure you may not be doing damage to the tire.


My plan if/when my TPMS warning goes off is to slow a bit to be sure I have complete control of the vehicle. Keep an eye on the pressure report and look for location to pull over ASAP. With luck I will have a place where I can safely change my tire. OR be in a location where the service person can safely change the tire.
Yes tire failure is extremely low probability if you take care and monitor your tires. Having space for a spare tire, even if not mounted was on our "must have" selection list. I can keep an older tire, not tie up money with a new tire as a spare and still have some space to store some stuff inside the tire where the wheel goes. Not as heavy either.
Roadside Service can change and inflate a tire and Iam not stuck being forced to buy a way overpriced tire.

[1982]

Oh, forgot to mention, for that situation of a nail/screw/etc in the repairable portion of the tread, I carry a tire plug kit. Inexpensive, small and negligible weight, and can be a lot easier than changing to a spare.

[Fkrel]

My spare is mounted on the rear bumper and have not had any problems with it there, But it has the threaded rod for mounting the spare under the rear and completely out of the way would be nice, I have looked at the hand crank-up winches for spares for about $60 But I like the idea of a atv winch that ThePowells suggested and have seen some at a few garage sales for as cheep as $10 so I am going to maybe do that option. I also carry a electric impact from harbor frieght that works great and is just for the rv.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by 1982

Oh, forgot to mention, for that situation of a nail/screw/etc in the repairable portion of the tread, I carry a tire plug kit. Inexpensive, small and negligible weight, and can be a lot easier than changing to a spare.

Suggest you review the data book or reference manuals from your tire company. All the majors and DOT say the same thing "A plug only is not an acceptable repair"


The use of a plug can void any warranty and potenionallymake it non-repairable. Now That doesn't mean that using a plug may not be the best choice (side of highway , middle of the night etc) Just be aware that any plug is TEMPORARY at best.