This might seem like a daft question but do most vans come with a spare wheel. We have just purchased our first van and can't find a spare anywhere - or are they an optional extra!
spare tyre
- Thread starter Denise4
- Start date
Denise,
Get out your cheque book. Some vans do supply a spare tyre but the majority don't I am afraid. You will also be unlikely to find a jack.
You will need to check the current wheel size (stamped on it) and check the PCD (width between the centre points of opposing wheel bolts to ensure you get the correct one. Your caravan dealer can probably give you good advice. Also the tyre you choose needs to be of caravan/commercial standard. The markings on your exisitng tyres will give the tyre dealer all he needs to know.
Get out your cheque book. Some vans do supply a spare tyre but the majority don't I am afraid. You will also be unlikely to find a jack.
You will need to check the current wheel size (stamped on it) and check the PCD (width between the centre points of opposing wheel bolts to ensure you get the correct one. Your caravan dealer can probably give you good advice. Also the tyre you choose needs to be of caravan/commercial standard. The markings on your exisitng tyres will give the tyre dealer all he needs to know.
Thank you David. No one told us that caravans are so complicated. Well it seems that way at the moment. We are reading through the manual and there seems to be a lot to do eg before use, at the end of the season ... please reassure me that once we know what we are doing it will be a doddle! I am learning lots just by reading everyones advice on this forum.
Denise don't worry it all seems a bit daunting at first but after a while it becomes second nature.
Most importantly if you have any difficulty don't be afraid to ask, there is a wealth of experienced and knowledgeable people on this forum only too happy to help.
Most importantly if you have any difficulty don't be afraid to ask, there is a wealth of experienced and knowledgeable people on this forum only too happy to help.
Hi denise,and welcome to the wonderful world of caravanning!
Others have given you sound advice about your spare wheel, but here's a tip which was given to me when I first started: make a checklist of things to take, and things to do before you leave home. Simple stupid things, like making sure you've not locked the cat in the van,or left the van key on the sideboard! After forty tears, I still use a checklist.(I need it more than ever now.Anno domini doesn't help the memory!)
Others have given you sound advice about your spare wheel, but here's a tip which was given to me when I first started: make a checklist of things to take, and things to do before you leave home. Simple stupid things, like making sure you've not locked the cat in the van,or left the van key on the sideboard! After forty tears, I still use a checklist.(I need it more than ever now.Anno domini doesn't help the memory!)
Thankyou Big Roy - We are not planning on using our van until spring - with three children under 4 I don't think winter caravanning appeals! At the moment we are preparing it for winter storage. At least we have lots of time to learn everything. Denise
Denise,
Don't worry, buying a caravan is like buying a new house. You soon realise that there are a lot of bits the builders forgot about, like curtain rails etc.
Once you hsvr got all the kit then it all falls into place. By the way, if you have children do make sure they get involved with 'tasks' when you go away. Firstly, it gives the little blighters something to do, and they will probably enjoy the hoidays even more.
Don't worry, buying a caravan is like buying a new house. You soon realise that there are a lot of bits the builders forgot about, like curtain rails etc.
Once you hsvr got all the kit then it all falls into place. By the way, if you have children do make sure they get involved with 'tasks' when you go away. Firstly, it gives the little blighters something to do, and they will probably enjoy the hoidays even more.
Hi Denise,
As you say, it's all daunting at first as I too am finding...
I have thought long and hard over the spare wheel problem, not wanting to be left stranded on the M3 on a wet Sunday night.
It's going to cost me more annually, but I reckon I'll be investing in a rescue service to get me safely home.
Consider: do u want to be lying under a caravan, jacking it up on a wet and windy night on a motorway? Have you got a jack? Have you got a torque wrench? Have you got a wheel carrier? Are you physically capable?
If it was the car that was broken, you'd have no option but to call a rescue service - and I have decided to lump the caravan in with that!
(PS: The Caravan Club, and I understand Mondial, do a specialised rescue service, and no doubt there are others that others could recommend)
As you say, it's all daunting at first as I too am finding...
I have thought long and hard over the spare wheel problem, not wanting to be left stranded on the M3 on a wet Sunday night.
It's going to cost me more annually, but I reckon I'll be investing in a rescue service to get me safely home.
Consider: do u want to be lying under a caravan, jacking it up on a wet and windy night on a motorway? Have you got a jack? Have you got a torque wrench? Have you got a wheel carrier? Are you physically capable?
If it was the car that was broken, you'd have no option but to call a rescue service - and I have decided to lump the caravan in with that!
(PS: The Caravan Club, and I understand Mondial, do a specialised rescue service, and no doubt there are others that others could recommend)
Recovery operators require your car to have a serviceable spare wheel, they'll change it for you if neccessary but they won't recover you if you've no serviceable spare.
I presume the same restriction applies to caravans, check your small print!
I presume the same restriction applies to caravans, check your small print!
Verbally, I have been told that in the event of a puncture they can't repair they'll repatriate by low-loader. No mention of me providing the spare, but yes, I'll be checking the fine print before i sign up. Tks.
An alternative, saving both space and weight, is a tyre-fix kit which is also starting to become some standard fitment instead of a spare wheel on some cars. Usually, this consists of an aerosol sealer to plug the hole and a small electric air pump to re-inflate the tyre. As a tyre, once it's had a puncture, is usually not fully re-usable anyway, this is an alternative worth looking at which would at least get you to the nearest tyre dealer. It also saves a lot of time because you don't have to get a jack out and change the wheel.
What's good enough for car manufacturers should be good enough for a caravan, too.
What's good enough for car manufacturers should be good enough for a caravan, too.
Good enough in most circumstances but we had to tow back from Spain on a Sunday on the spare wheel after kerbing the tyre and rim.Its not a common occurance but it does happen.
Glad to see you posting Lutz----I wondered if you had been involved in the bad weather and power cuts in Germany.
I also have one of those in the toolkit, but i was under the impression they were only capable of sealing minor punctures. Nevertheless, worth having I think, perhaps in the event of a slow puncture developing on site....Tks, Colin
Emmerson,
Is that 40 tears, or years? cos' Iv'e got 45 of both and I'm still learning. LOL
Thats why they call me Pop.....Pop
Colin,
Remember that these type repair kits won't repair a tyre with sidewall damage no matter how small the damage!
If you join the breakdown service you will find you don't need them. If you don't join and have no spare you can employ Murphys law..guaranteed.
You pays your money and takes your choice!
Pop
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