Replacing the spare tyre with a car type tyre??

[Glensmate]

I'm after a bit of advice....

Whilst in France I had a puncture which can't be repaired as the side wall is damaged. The tyre type is '185/65/R14 6PR 93/91N'. E-tyres have one in stock (£62)but I started thinking why not have the spare steel wheel tyre changed onto the alloy wheel and replace the spare tyre with a cheap car tyre. As the spare will be (hopefully) used infrequently would this cause any problems?

Cheers,

Mathew

 

[swpostie]

Hi Mathew,

I think it would be a false economy and, if you had an accident while using it, I'm sure it would invalidate your insurance.

You have to remember that a caravan can weigh as much as a car, but that weight is only distributed across one axle - therefore those two tyres need to be able to take twice as much weight as those on the average car.

Hence the heavier duty commercial tyres fitted to caravans.

 

[Guest]

You can buy a commercial grade budget tyre for about 40-60 pounds. Therefore the saving in buying a real car type cheapie is small, and not worth it. Also the potential for it to fail at just the wrong moment is too high.

Don't even think about it.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

You could also get a part worn van tyre for the spare

 

[emmerson2]

Too much of a risk to save a few pence. I've just replaced all three tyres of that size and spec for

 

[RayS]

As a slight digression, i wondwer why caravan makers have not gone the the "skinny" or emergency spare now very common on cars. The same logic would apply - saving space, saving weight, not used very often, 150 miles would probably be sufficient against the other benefits. I guess the drive might have to come from the chassis makers, but I for one would be gald to see something thinner and lighter than my present spare.

 

[Guest]

Nice thought but I suspect the mechanics woud diallow it. Afetr all the weight on a caravan tyre ranges from 700 - anything over 1000 kg. To get a 'skinny' tyre to take that sort of weight would be I suspect more expensive than worth. Now if you were to look at solid tyres...........? After all it is only a 'get home' tyre isn't it? Just don't keep anything fragile inside

 

[Glensmate]

Gents,

Thanks for your comments. Points taken and the risk is obviously not worth it.

Solid tyres or a thinner tyre would be an interesting development.

I was amazed at how difficult the spare was to remove from under the Alko chassis. Good job the French A road that I pulled over on was not too busy. I don't look forward to the day I need to struggle to pull out the spare out on a busy motorway! My puncture happened 20 mins after I'd spent the best part of four hours working out why my ATC had failed in the brakes on position and then working out how to slacken the ATC off to limp back to Caen!

12 GB van's passed during the ATC /puncture saga and not one offered any assistance. My three children and wife in their bright yellow jackets on the hard shoulder must have put them off!

Here's a tip for everyone - never at the beginning of your 5 hour journey back to the return ferry let the thought 'well that