Leaking Tyre Valve

[Barry Doran]

I was away in the van for the weekend staying at the Caravan Club affliated site in the Glen Of Aherlow Co. Tipperary a well worth a visit site if touring in Ireland. On Saturday I decided to check the Tyre pressures on the caravan which were as stated in the Owners handbook. This morning I took down the awning and when I removed the side skirt I noticed the tyre completely flat to my dismay. I carry a mini compresser and tried to inflate the tyre but noticed that as quick as i pumped it the quicker it went down. I called to the site owners house to ask for help and he produced a new valve insert and tool to replace the leaking one. I fitted the new one but it did not solve the problem so he helped me change the wheel and I will get a complete new valve for the the wheel this week.
My point is without his help I would have been stranded as the car jack i carry would not be able to take the weight of the caravan plus the wheel brace I have did not fit the wheel nuts on the caravan. I must also point out that I got several offers from other caravanners and motorhomers and thank you to them as well. My question is why do modern caravans not come with the essential equipment needed to travel safely. I will be calling to my local Halfords tomorrow to purchase these items.
A big thank you to George the site owner at Glen of Aherlow for all your help.

Barry.

 

[Lutz]

My question is why do modern caravans not come with the essential equipment needed to travel safely.

It's a bit unclear to me what you consider to be 'essential equipment'. For the case in question, surely your car wasn't supllied with anything more, either?

 

[ValA.]

Surely the question is 'Why did you not make sure you were properly equipped............' before you set off? We have a trolley jack for the caravan, a space wheel with a tyre which is checked each journey, and a wheel brace which fits. We also carry a tool box of useful caravan and car tools, which in some circumstances have been 'essential'. Yes, they had to be bought as extras - but then so do a lot of other bits and pieces.
If you consider that a puncture/flat tyre/other tyre problems is not exactly unexpected, then it would be sensible to make sure you are properly equipped to change a wheel on the caravan.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Barry,

I understand what you mean, but like Val, I don't knw of any other type of trailer that is supplied with a jack for changing wheels, so why should caravans?

 

[Barry Doran]

Surely the question is 'Why did you not make sure you were properly equipped............' before you set off? We have a trolley jack for the caravan, a space wheel with a tyre which is checked each journey, and a wheel brace which fits. We also carry a tool box of useful caravan and car tools, which in some circumstances have been 'essential'. Yes, they had to be bought as extras - but then so do a lot of other bits and pieces.
If you consider that a puncture/flat tyre/other tyre problems is not exactly unexpected, then it would be sensible to make sure you are properly equipped to change a wheel on the caravan.

OH Val to be so perfect as you. If the caravan manufacturer supplies a spare wheel surely it would be common sense to supply the proper equipment to change it with. Also buying a caravan cannot be compared to buying any ordinary trailer as they are so much more expensive.

 

[TonyH1]

Bailey supply not only a jack with their Senator California, but also instructions how to use it! Wheel brace probably isn't up to the job but then I've a torque wrench with me to check the wheel nuts before I set off again.