Hymer spare wheels

[Chris_374224489]

Do Hymer use a standard 14" wheel type for which I can easily buy a spare anywhere or is it different being continental?

Do alloy wheel nuts fit standard steel spare wheels?

ChrisE

 

[rob_jax]

Hi,

If it's a Hymer caravan, then that's actually an Eriba, except the marketing people in the UK rename them Hymer.

But in any case they use either the ALKO tubular (Eriba Touring), ALKO (Eriba Nova, Living, Swing) or BPW (Eriba Feeling) chassis - and use the standard ALKO (or BPW) pattern wheel. Most? UK caravans will use this wheel as well since they run on the ALKO (or BPW) chassis.

Our Eriba uses different nuts on the steel spare compared to the alloy fitments (17mm head and 19mm head).

Robert

 

[Chris_374224489]

Thanks for the info. I guess that means if you get a steel spare wheel for a caravan that is supplied with alloys you must get a set of wheel nuts at the same time for the steel wheel.

I wonder how many people have simply transferred a steel spare from their last caravan & never considered this?

ChrisE

 

[Guest]

As mentioned ALKO use standard wheel sizes for their chassis. The individual wheel size will be marked on the wheel somewhere and will take the format: 4 1/2J x 14 H2 for example. make sure you get the same size for your spare. Also check the diameter between opposite stud centres and compare with the new one, just to make sure it will indeed fit.

As also mentioned ALKO forbid the use of studs for steel wheels to be used on alloys, and I assume vice versa. If you do have alloys then it may be a good idea to put a smear of copper grease on the mating surface. Alloys can 'weld' themselves to the drums if they are not removed regularly. Also make sure the studs are clean and don't use grease on them to ensure the torque settings are correct. Running them in and out a few times before you make the final tightening can often help.

 

[rob_jax]

Good advice from Scotch Lad about smearing a little bit of copper grease (tradename CopperSlip) on the hub mounting surface.

I did this on our new cars (BMW Mini and Merc C270 CDI tow car) and never had any trouble removing the wheels.

Our retired neighbour did not, and maybe because they don't drive much - certainly the brake pads have not needed replacing in 5 or more years - so his alloy wheels bonded onto the hubs - and when he got a flat tyre and asked for help I had real trouble getting them off.

Eventually used our old rubber camping mallet to hit the alloy wheel inner rim and shock the joint open.

Robert

 

[Chris_374224489]

Thanks for the tip. I have used it on the exhaust rings on my BMW motor cycle & it works there. If you don't you strip the thread on the cylinder head.

ChrisE

 

[Nidge1]

Hi Chris,

Hymer also use 15inch wheels on their latest models (depending on which model).

They do supply a set of different wheel studs for use with a steel spare. The difference seems to be the profile of the shoulder which mates to the rim.

I would certainly check when you buy a spare that it is compatible and has the correct wheel bolts for the job.

As others have said the the Alko chassis is mainly used and a spare should be no problem.

Hope this helps.

Regards Nidge