Does everyone carry a spare tire? When we traveled in our 39' and 45' motorhomes we never carried a spare tire and never needed one. Isn't the tires on a LD a pretty common size?
I'm just wondering of the necessity to carry a spare when it takes up so much room and added weight.
So how many LD'ers have actually used the spare over their travels?
I carry one. And glad I had it on our last trip when I had a blowout.
The tires used on the Ford E-450 are 225/75R/16 E, a "common" size until one needs a spare in some location where finding one could be very inconvenient, if at all and at a "non-rip off" price, may be pretty tough. I know that some models don't carry a spare under the spare tire cover, but rather in a compartment, and that this does take up space and may be difficult to access.
Although I haven't needed the spare in almost 14 years, I'm not willing to thumb my nose at the universe and chance going off without it; I carry an "aired to max" spare. YMMV, of course.
"Does everyone carry a spare tire?"
Like the credit card commercial: "Don't leave home without it!".
We have travelled to remote locations and would not tempt fate by leaving the spare at home. Have portable jump starter and spare tire, will travel.
Steve K
I carry a spare. Never needed it but would never travel without it.
Ken F in OR
Does everyone carry a spare tire? When we traveled in our 39' and 45' motorhomes we never carried a spare tire and never needed one. Isn't the tires on a LD a pretty common size?
Changing a blown tire, possibly in a remote location, particularly on the rear, is not for everyone - including possibly me. So, you may have to wait for a service truck to come out. If you do not have a mounted, balanced spare, he will have to jack you up and leave that way until he can return with a new tire mounted on your rim. Besides the obvious extra cost of a new tire and remounting, you will have a lot of extra time to consider whether you want to reconsider carrying a spare in the future...
Steve
I don't necessarily disagree with carrying one but I just can't remember how long ago I had a flat tire. Tires have just gotten that good if you take care of them. My 45' motorhome weighed in at 50000 pounds and the 8 tires cost about $6-700 each! and aren't easy to find. So I took care of them, checked temps and air pressure daily and had tire pressure monitors. But most of my buddies who still have 45' motorhomes don't carry spares.
If and when I get a LD I'm sure it will have a spare but it may be aged out and need to be replaced.
The first time you experience a blow-out, and after the hair on the back of your neck settles into place, you will thank yourself that you decided to carry that spare. Whether it is you that mounts the spare or some untrained yoyo from a local garage you will be content to know that you've got the means to proceed until you can effect repairs. And it would be a good thing if the powers above are looking kindly at your situation and that there is not massive collateral damage in that wheel well. :o
I carry a spare, but can't remember the last time I used one. Some van's and class Bs come with a compressor and a can of Slime. I get that it is unlikely to need even this emergency repair kit, but when camping we go where service is not easily available. It's one of those things where my head says it's OK to not have a spare,, but my gut says no way.
Then there is the dreaded DOT number where if one neglects it one spare may be as good as none.
Kent
A difference between a diesel pusher and a Class C is a Class C's tire can be changed by mere mortals or tow truck drivers.
Changing a flat on a DP requires a mobile tire repair truck, along with some very heavy equipment and usually, a large, young man with the strength to handle dealing with repairing and changing the very heavy tire and wheel, on the spot.
If the tire is damage beyond repair, you can only hope the repair shop can find one quickly, if not, enjoy your roadside vacation.
We take our LDs places a big DP can only dream about, where flats are more likely.
Carrying the spare provides peace of mind, I have helped change more than one flat, on a Class C.
Seen a couple of DPs with flats too.
Throw the dice and hope you get lucky.
Larry
"We take our LDs places a big DP can only dream about"
And that's why we're looking at buying a LD. When traveling we saw many places we wanted to spend a few days but couldn't.
As Larry pointed out, the LD tires, though heavy and unwieldy, are much more manageable than you are used to with your class-As. Your LD is also much shorter and LOWER, which will get you easily into those remote dispersed camping areas among the trees... NOT where you want a blowout with no spare!
Steve
I've had flat tires in several of our RV's and it never happens at convenient times or places. Having a spare filled to the correct pressure, and the correct tools to change the tire, is one way to make that inevitable occurrence just a little less unpleasant.
When we bought our Lazy Daze in October, the first thing I did when I got it home was changed a rear tire for practice. What fun. I discovered that I needed two different jacks, one low profile one and one big-fat-heavy-duty one, a big breaker bar, a 250ft.lb. torque wrench, a well worn jumpsuit, and gloves (changing a tire is dirty work done while laying on the ground). They are all now in the rig. I hope I never need them, but I feel better out in the boondocks knowing that I can change the tire and have the right equipment. By the way, the tires and wheels are pretty heavy, but not nearly as heavy as the 19.5's on a class A RV or our diesel truck. 16 inch wheels and tires are manageable by most owners if you use a little leverage and patience.
My wise old dad reminded me whenever I said "I have never (fill in the problem), I was violating the "unmentionable rule." When one violates the unmentionable rule, it almost always assures that said problem will occur soon, kind of like tempting the Devil!
HD
"I hope I never need them, but I feel better out in the boondocks knowing that I can change the tire and have the right equipment."
On the flip side of that coin...
I also had the needed equipment! However, as the years have slipped away I no longer carry said equipment. The best I can hope for is to have a nice strong cell signal over which I can reach my road side emergency folks. ::)
Yes, I have a spare and used it last year when the inner dually Tireman long valve stem broke. Road service speculated it was maybe hit by road debris. Although I use road service, I also carry the minimum equipment, including jack, for some strong backed good samaritan to change it. (In 11 years in a similar sized class c, I had 3 dually flats.)
Lori Y
2011 24FL
I carry a spare. I want top travel the 16' wide roads through the Midwest that qualify for state high way funding with a farm house on a section of land. You will need a 8 or 12 ton hydraulic jack though. My Ford screw jack can barely lift the front wheel, much less a rear dually.
I prefer to have my spare tire with me at all times!
I carry two jacks, a 8 ton and 12 hydraulic, along with various size pieces of 2"X 4"s for cribbing and wheel chocks.
The 8-ton jacks is short, while the 12-ton is much taller. The shorter jack is needed to begin lifting the rear axle, with the taller jack assisting, once the axle is raised high enough for the taller jack to slide under the axle.
A 12'X 12' square of 3/4' plywood is carried to place under the jack, to prevent sinking in soft ground.
To remove the nuts, a 1/2" breaker bar, socket and extension long enough to reach the rear duals lug nuts, is used.
A 3' long 'cheater' bar, made from a piece of 1" steel water pipe, is big enough in diameter to slide over the breaker bar handle, used to assist in loosing and tightening the lug nuts.
To determine if what you carry is adequate, change a rear tire at home. Lots of fun.
We also carry a tire patching kit and usually two or three sources of compressed air.
Better to be over prepared than under.
If you carry leveling blocks, they can be handy for raising the front or rear to the desired height, before positioning the jacks.
This methods also handy for installing snow chains, raising the inside dual tire, on each side, so the outside wheel is off the ground.
It's is a real time saver.
Larry
If you are going to the trouble of changing your own rear tire keep in mind that the parking brake affects only the rear brakes. Once you lift the rear off the ground it changes the dynamics dramatically. You had better have some chocks available to keep the rig from moving. When I had a blowout they sent a local yokel out to swap tires. He did not know enough to use chocks. You can imagine the rest! :o
If you are going to the trouble of changing your own rear tire keep in mind that the parking brake affects only the rear brakes. Once you lift the rear off the ground it changes the dynamics dramatically. You had better have some chocks available to keep the rig from moving. When I had a blowout they sent a local yokel out to swap tires. He did not know enough to use chocks. You can imagine the rest! :o
and IF you happen to own a LD built before 08 that uses a transmission (emergency) break errr brake, it does not even brake the rear wheels if one of the rear wheels is up in the air. The E450 comes with a open differential so the RV will move.
Best practice is to always use wheel chocks when putting any car/truck in the air for taking off a wheel.
"I carry two jacks, a 8 ton and 12 hydraulic, along with various size pieces of 2"X 4"s for cribbing and wheel chocks.
The 8-ton jacks is short, while the 12-ton is much taller. The shorter jack is needed to begin lifting the rear axle, with the taller jack assisting, once the axle is raised high enough for the taller jack to slide under the axle.
A 12'X 12' square of 3/4' plywood is carried to place under the jack, to prevent sinking in soft ground.
To remove the nuts, a 1/2" breaker bar, socket and extension long enough to reach the rear duals lug nuts, is used.
A 3' long 'cheater' bar, made from a piece of 1" steel water pipe, is big enough in diameter to slide over the breaker bar handle, used to assist in loosing and tightening the lug nuts."
-----
The little plastic card from Coach-Net takes up less space! ;) One just hopes that a cell tower is within range!
Your tire-changing protocol is what I'd follow if I could, but I know that there is no way I could change a rear tire (and/or the front, either, very probably) on the LD; regrettably, I'm not strong enough any more to break the lug nuts loose, even with a cheater bar and copious amounts of swearing in two languages! I also doubt if I could wrestle a 60-pound tire and wheel off and on the axle. :(
What I can do is to remove the wheel cover, make sure that the road service person positions the jack correctly on the axle, and watch while s/he fires up the onboard compressor to power the impact wrench. :D
"Does everyone carry a spare tire? "
I would not be without a spare tire in case I needed one in a remote location or on a weekend or holiday where it would be more difficult to get one. However, I met a lady who owned a SOB that did not have a spare tire. She told me that many RV manufacturers do not provide spare tires. She said that she had some kind of insurance that guaranteed that they would bring her the tire she needed if she required one after a flat tire or blow out. Sorry that I don't have any more details.
Monica
"She said that she had some kind of insurance that guaranteed that they would bring her the tire she needed if she required one after a flat tire or blow out."
----
It's true that some (probably many) RV manufacturers don't provide a spare tire, and some people seem to be fine with this. It may be that the people who are OK with not having an onboard spare have not experienced a blow out (or flat tire or hole in the sidewall or slow leak) and don't consider the potential hassle and expense of trying to find a suitable tire replacement on the road.
I can't speak to whatever "insurance guarantee" there might be that delivers the appropriate tire to wherever and whenever a failure happens, but I know that I would definitely read the fine print of any "agreement". It may be that the person has this "tire service" coverage from Coach-Net, but I don't see "delivery" of a replacement tire in the description, just that they will use the "mounted and inflated spare" or tow the rig to a tire place (and who knows where that might be or if the place even has an appropriate tire in stock, let alone one that's not older than the rig.)
RV Tire & Wheel Protection | Coach-Net Hazard Protect | Get Your FREE Quote (https://coach-net.com/Products/Hazard-Protect)
YMMV, but I'm happy to have a spare! ;)
"... insurance that guaranteed that they would bring her the tire she needed..."
As I recall spare tires usually come with a 'spare wheel'. Will this so called Insurance Company also provide a wheel to go along with the tire since she obviously does not have that either, thanks to the manufacturer? ::)
I met a lady who owned a SOB that did not have a spare tire. She told me that many RV manufacturers do not provide spare tires. She said that she had some kind of insurance that guaranteed that they would bring her the tire she needed if she required one after a flat tire or blow out. Sorry that I don't have any more details.
Well that's a new one.
My guess is the 'man' at the RV place told her that to explain why the spare is not included.
Maybe Amazon has tires and rims mounted up and loaded in drones, ready for for field deliveries...maybe.
Larry
I carry a recent spare! America's Tire Stors from San Diego to San Jose did not have it in stock last November 2016 when I took delivery of the'88 MB. It had a set 2004's with a 1996 spare.
Eventually, run-flat tires will come to RV's.
Run Flat Tires: How They Work | Bridgestone Tires (http://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-and-trend/drivers-ed/run-flat-tires)
Ed
Eventually, run-flat tires will come to RV's.
If a run-flat dually pops, you will pop its mate too, if you drive on it, or else at least over-stress it to the point it should be replaced as well.
Steve
I carry a spare tire as a omamori. So far its worked great.
Had to look that one up. Good one!
Had to look that one up. Good one!
Ditto! I only come on this forum for the cultural education. ;D
We carry spare and are so glad we do. In 2014, we were traveling from Grants Pass, OR toward Crescent City, CA on Hwy 199. It is a long and windy single lane highway with spotty cell service, at best. We blew the inside dually (passenger side) in an area of no cell service and no shoulder. With flashers going, we got out to inspect. No place to turn off, no "wide spot", nothing but beautiful scenery in sight. Slowly, we made our way some 10 miles further before spotting something like civilization. (There was a forestry visitor's center but the lot was full and no place to get off the highway. ) DH -finally - got ONE bar on his cell so we called Good Sam road service. No help as they couldn't find us after AN HOUR on the phone. I jogged a few blocks to a tiny store/post office (Gasquet, OR) and borrowed a land line to call AAA. AAA could find us, no problem, but they wouldn't change the tire, only tow us. Crescent City isn't all that far by miles but by time it's almost an hour. I finally called Les Schwab in Crescent City and they sent out a man and truck to change the tire - about 2 hours later. Thankfully, the store owner told us to pull into their lot, parallel to the highway, so we could wait in safety. Using our spare, he changed the tire and we followed him back to the shop to buy a new spare. Our blown-out tire was cut across the tread, so we had to have hit something. Thankfully, it wasn't a front tire. We were about 4 hours late arriving at our destination but we got there in good shape.
The rest of the story. We got back home, about 450 miles, and DH took the LD to our local tire dealer and that's when we got a shock. That brand-new spare was ground down to practically the threads. We would not have gone far without another blow-out. We thought we had left a "gator" on the highway, though we looked and didn't see anything. No. The section of missing tire had blown up into the wheel well and the steel belting, hanging down, had chewed up the new tire.
We've had the experience of being in an area with no cell service, no readily available help, and nowhere to pull off. Both Good Sam and AAA got a letter from us. The kindness of strangers and an overworked guardian angel got us through the day. So, yes, we carry a spare.
"In 2014, we were traveling from Grants Pass, OR toward Crescent City, CA on Hwy 199. It is a long and windy single lane highway with spotty cell service, at best."
Been over that road more than once (although it used to be double lane ;) )... your description is quite true! The kicker in your story is the fact that the old casing is what destroyed the new one. First time I've heard of that! :o
I will go out on a limb here and say that we not carry the spare in our MD. Yes we may regret this someday but in fifty years of driving I have never had a flat tire on a vehicle. A couple slow leaks but never a flat. Between a pickup camper, a 1975 Lazy Daze I inherited, a 1992 MB that I put 70,000 miles on, and 100,000+ miles of motorcycling that's a lot of miles!
The argument breaks down when you say that the big rigs don't carry spares because they are too difficult to change the tires yet they must go out of cell range as well. So what to they do?
I'm willing to take the risk because I think the odds are in my favor. If the worst happens we'll deal with it. Anyway I doubt that either of us is capable of changing a tire so we would need to call someone anyway. Someone will come along eventually. When my husband had a motorcycle wreck on a lonely back road with no cell service some other riders eventually came along and road back to cell service to call an ambulance and a tow truck. We've also had breakdowns especially in the 1975 LD that had nothing to do with tires and before cell phones. We just had to deal with it. I'm going to put my faith in a set of brand new Michelins and leave the extra weight and space-hogging spare tire at home!
I'm going to put my faith in a set of brand new Michelins and leave the extra weight and space-hogging spare tire at home!
When my '08 LD needed new shoes, I went with a Goodyear, all steel tire much like this.
I suspect these are among the toughest , most durable RV size tires made.
But $$$$$
Product Details | Goodyear Truck Tires (https://www.goodyeartrucktires.com/tires/product-details.html?prodline=160111&prodcode=13907230400000)
Ed
When my '08 LD needed new shoes, I went with a Goodyear, all steel tire much like this.
I suspect these are among the toughest , most durable RV size tires made.
But $$$$$
Product Details | Goodyear Truck Tires (https://www.goodyeartrucktires.com/tires/product-details.html?prodline=160111&prodcode=13907230400000)
Can't say I have seen many reports of the softer riding Michelins having issues. They are what I have run for over two decades, without a flat.
I have no desire for tires that rides any rougher, our roads are bad enough, there is little advantage in doing so. YMMV
As for durable, few of us wear our LD's tires out before they time out.
I think a large number of big rigs have communications systems that don't rely on cell or CB coverage. I believe they're satellite based.
Chip
Having had a big rig (45' Newell) we had AT&T cell phones and a cheapo Verizon phone in case we had no AT&T coverage. Which happened frequently out west. Never had or know any other big rigs who use sat. phones. We also had a Wilson cell amplifier cradle which did help for remote areas. And still have our SPOT we carry when RZR riding and hiking. It is possible to send a pre-selected text to someone over the SPOT satellite system who can then call road service with your location but it is only one way communication. I'm sure there are some people who do use a sat. phone but probably not many.
I think a large number of big rigs have communications systems that don't rely on cell or CB coverage. I believe they're satellite based.
Chip
While there are cellphone-only versions, the fleet-tracking sat comms I was referring to are like this:
IoT Devices for Satellite, Cellular and Dual-Mode Asset Tracking | ORBCOMM (https://www.orbcomm.com/en/hardware/devices)
Which are data devices, not necessarily sat phones. They offer dual-mode models also, which can choose sat or cell based on variables. There are also sat-in/cell-out versions.
I would think for an RV, cellphone plus a well-tuned CB should be able to reach someone fairly well most of the time. The downside with CB is you're not able to be selective about who you tell you're stranded in the middle of nowhere. Then you have to hope for 'the kindness of strangers'.
Chip
I trust a properly inflated spare and good tools that I am familiar with more than I trust any cell phone and coverage in remote places. Calling AAA or Good Sam or (fill in the blank) is a good first step. If that doesn't work, put on the coveralls and gloves and change the tire.
HD
My 1992 MB had the spare behind the "cadillac cover" at the rear of the coach. When we replaced it with a 2004 MB with the spare in the side compartment I just couldn't loose that space! The spare in now left at home. In over forty years of camping in the backwoods I've never had a flat. The only blowout I've ever had was on a boat trailer where a previous owner stupidly put radial tires instead of the bias ply it needed. I'm just going to take my chances.
The last time I blew a tire I blew both duallies on the rear right side. I was very fortunate to be in Camarillo, on the 101, a hundred yards from Americas Tire. I called triple A. They took me off the Frwy and around the corner to AT. I put 4 new tires on the back and I was back on the in less than an hour. I feel very fortunate and I know the experience should have been a lot worse. I carry the tools to change a tire and feel like I can. I have one spare but I'm sure I could get to help driving on one tire instead of two on one side in the rear.
Flats aren't something I would wish on anyone. But, if you must have one, I hope you are all as fortunate as I was when I had mine.
Be well. Dale from Downey.
Last year we experienced a blow-out on the inside rear very similar circumstances to Juli W., except it occurred about 10 miles east of Cannonville Utah, not in California. No shoulder, no place to turn around, no cell service, etc. Long story a little shorter, limped back to Cannonville at 5 mph. KOA jammed full. 5 more miles to Tropic, UT. Got a last site at a really wonderful RV Park, ate and went to sleep. Next day, called Good Sam, waited for rescue to arrive (2 hours from Hatch, UT), replaced with spare, bought new -- but unmatched -- new tire for blown wheel, and finished trip east to Guthrie, OK, then eventually back home to CA. That's when I read on-line that all of my tires batch numbers were subject to a Michelin recall for tread separation. Lucky me, because the recall was about to expire in a couple of weeks! Went to local shop, got new Michelins all around, and use the non-Michelin purchased on the road in UT as the spare. We were lucky! Lessons learned? 1) NOT worth the gamble to not carry a spare. 2) DO register the certificates of purchase when buying new tires! 3) Do not rely on cell phones when traveling out west. 4) Went out and purchased an electric impact wrench and socket that I always carry now. 5) Purchased 20-ton bottle Jack (air-assist) and carry it always. 6) Purchased and carry ViAir portable compressor. 7) Tropic, UT has a really nice RV park with a tasty restaurant next door. Great place to be "stranded."
While on the subject of tires, I came across this 15 minute YouTube video produced by Michelin designed to educate RV owners on the In's and Out's of RV tires.
Perhaps it has been linked before, but it is certainly a great refresher and perfect for those newly entering the RV lifestyle.
Hope it helps shine a light on RV tire safety. 🌞
https://youtu.be/Wb7W-nRAPrk
Kent
Thanks Kent,
Very informative video.
Harold
To pick up and continue this thread. I'm working on a 2001 midbath, and it seems there is enough room to store a spare tire under the rear, in order to get it out of the storage compartment. Has anybody else tried this? I found a potential tire lift winch for an RV tire, http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lippert-Spare-Tire-Winch/2165607.uts?productVariantId=4397810&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=04309626&rid=20&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgJCKpeS
RonB
I'm working on a 2001 midbath, and it seems there is enough room to store a spare tire under the rear, in order to get it out of the storage compartment. Has anybody else tried this? I found a potential tire lift winch for an RV tire, http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lippert-Spare-Tire-Winch/2165607.uts?productVariantId=4397810&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=04309626&rid=20&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgJCKpeS
Ron
Never seen it done but have thought about using the spare space, especially on the T/Ks, for the spare or another tank.
As long as the tire has enough ground clearance to prevent hanging up, it should work.
It could be very difficult to crawl under the rig to lower the spare.
A pickup-style tire winch, can be set up to raise or lower, from a distance, using an battery drill.
Your'e an engineer, have at it.
Larry
Looks like what I've had on different Chevy trucks and my Tahoe. There is a hole in the bumper to put the jack handle in and just unwind the winch to lower the tire. I've used it a couple times and it works well, but the tire does get dirty and depending on how far from the rear bumper you might get a bit dirty if you have to crawl under to pull it out.
To pick up and continue this thread. I'm working on a 2001 midbath, and it seems there is enough room to store a spare tire under the rear, in order to get it out of the storage compartment. Has anybody else tried this? I found a potential tire lift winch for an RV tire, http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lippert-Spare-Tire-Winch/2165607.uts?productVariantId=4397810&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=04309626&rid=20&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgJCKpeS
RonB
i was under mine looking at doing that (1999). mine has insulation on the black tank, and i measured about 26" between the foam and the bumper. while it's possible, i wouldn't have guessed there was 4" of foam there.
Hi Larry. I was thinking if a angle iron ladderwork hinged at the front, Access to the winch through a hole in the back bumper. A crank handle 3/8 " drive or drill motor to raise and lower it. Remote hose to check tire pressure. Vinyl cover to keep the spare clean. Maybe 1/4" plywood to protect it from rocks, although my pick up tire seem to survive well. Theft, while always a problem, would be minimal. I don't think most people would expect a tire under there. The 2001 I have has a reinforced bar between the skids, to strengthen up the receiver. A bit of a complication. Sure would like to get the spare out of that compartment! RonB
This company makes one but says it is not intended for motorhomes. But should give you some ideas.
BAL - Innovative Products for the RV Industry (http://norcoind.com/bal/products/consumer/specialty_products/hide-a-spare.shtml)
I need to look under my '04 MB to see what would work. I like the crank down system. Keep us posted on your progress please.
For LDs that have the spare stored inside instead of mounted out back in the cover, I understand that is for structural reasons as determined by the factory. It seems that constructing a custom bracket to support the spare with the bumper (instead of the coach rear wall) would be a worthwhile effort. The weight of spare could be completely borne by the bumper assembly (which is stout enough to tow a trailer with) and the cover fit could be accommodated by slotting the bottom of the cover as needed to clear the brackets. Not as seamless and elegant as the rear wall mounting method, but at least the majority of the cosmetic issues are already addressed. Seems that would be no harder than finding room underneath, and constructing appropriate brackets for a hoist, making hoist handle access holes, etc.
The whole underside hoist affair on my Suburban is subject to road grime and rust, (for the mechanism and the spare) and the locking mechanism to prevent unintended deployment is quite temperamental. Up high and under cover is by far better for access and longevity.
Chip