Spare wheel, Benima, Ducato 2.8JTD 2004

TonyJones · Aug 20, 2013

I am trying to maximise the payload for my Benima 710 CCX which currently has a limit of 3850Kg. It was uprated in 2004 by SVtech from 3500Kg. I have had the van weighed at 3200Kg when more or less empty, so I have a theoretical payload of 650 Kg depending on front & rear axle weights. I carry a Motorbike in the garage which weighs 100Kg.

I was wondering what thoughts are on removing the spare wheel BUT retaining the spare tyre?
Anyone know what a Ducato steel rim weighs? Or if the tyre only will still be OK if it is simply slung underneath in its carrier - will it need protecting?
I guestimate that the rim will weigh 20-30Kg?

If I ever have a puncture, I will not be crawling under a 3850 Kg van - I will get the breakdown people to do that - & I hope they or a nearby garage should be able to get the spare tyre onto the rim & inflate it - or not?
Any thoughts will be welcome

Regards Jeremy

TonyJones · Aug 20, 2013

Hi Jeremy, welcome to "the bright side of life!"
Personally, I wouldn't do without a spare wheel, but my van is of a size that makes it reasonable to change the wheel myself.
If you're quite sure about NEVER attempting it yourself, I agree there's no point in carrying the extra weight around. But I don't know how the tyre would fare on its own in the cradle - doesn't the mechanism rely on the metal bit to hold it all firmly in place?
Also, motorhome tyres aren't THAT rare - why not do without the spare altogether and trust that whoever does the change will be able to source one reasonably quickly?
What does anyone else think?
(you may not get the rush of answers you're used to, as there aren't as many of us on here yet as there are on the "dark side," but the answers you DO get will be helpful!)

Retread · Aug 20, 2013

When you say more or less empty, have you included the fresh and waste water and Fuel ?
If so I would leave out 30 litres of water and keep the spare.

laimeduck · Aug 20, 2013

Retread .... thanks but ....no.... I don't carry any water, other than 10 litres in a couple of containers. We don't like most Aires - carparks, so usually stay on Municipals or ACSI. It was weighed with gas, no water, either fresh or waste, empty toilet, nothing in fridge, no clothes etc, 1/2 tank diesel, garage empty. The weight also does not include me 95Kg, nor my wife, (less than me!)

That is why I am trying to minimise weight!
We will be gettting rid of Microwave (Spanish van) & 3 full length glass mirrors ( Female van!!!)

Jeremy

Flicka · Aug 20, 2013

Contrary to Tony's post the reason most of us want a "Spare" IS because of new Tyre availability. At least with a spare Tyre on board you would cover many of the times when a "spare" is required. However if you get a major blow-out at speed there is every possibilty that you could also wreck the wheel as well as the tyre.
Have you had the van over a weigh-bridge to determine actual weights on EACH chassis ? It may (or may not) be possible to move the Spare forward inside the van (i.e. behind a front seat) The pendulum effect with both the motorbike & the spare behind the rear axle will increase their actual weight on the rear axle & by moving the spare forward it would act as a partial counterbalance. The only way you will determine if this helps is on a weigh-bridge.

laimeduck · Aug 21, 2013

Flicka said:
It may (or may not) be possible to move the Spare forward inside the van (i.e. behind a front seat) The pendulum effect with both the motorbike & the spare behind the rear axle will increase their actual weight on the rear axle & by moving the spare forward it would act as a partial counterbalance. The only way you will determine if this helps is on a weigh-bridge.

Flicka thanks. I agree about tyre availabilty hence my desire to keep the tyre only.
Not possible to move the spare inside (or outside). No room & more importanly she would not be happy with a big smelly round rubber thing on her white leather seats!

laimeduck · Aug 26, 2013

Well, for the record, I e-mailed the manufacturer of 16" Ducato steel wheels and his reply is below. So with the other bits eg microwave, mirrors etc I can save about 20 Kg in weight from the rear axle. Worth having I think.
Jeremy
hello,

the weight is 13 kg.

best regards

MSI-Reifen UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
Geschäftsführer:
Marco Springer
Tulpenweg 3
D-77731 Willstätt

Tel.-Mobil: +49 (0)
173 3425800
Fax: +49 (0) 7852 935210

gjh · Aug 26, 2013

Before doing away with the spare wheel it would be worth checking the breakdown cover conditions. Some may not cover punctures if a serviceable spare wheel isn't available.

laimeduck · Aug 26, 2013

gjh said:
Before doing away with the spare wheel it would be worth checking the breakdown cover conditions. Some may not cover punctures if a serviceable spare wheel isn't available.

Fair comment! I'm with ADAC and from everything I checked about them I'm covered, but I have written to ask them. Will update on here when I know.

laimeduck · Sep 4, 2013

laimeduck said:
gjh said:

Before doing away with the spare wheel it would be worth checking the breakdown cover conditions. Some may not cover punctures if a serviceable spare wheel isn't available.

Click to expand...

Fair comment! I'm with ADAC and from everything I checked about them I'm covered, but I have written to ask them. Will update on here when I know.

ADAC replied today 04/09/2013 - their reply is below - so I am covered whether or not I have a spare wheel. I think I will probably therefore remove the steel wheel but carry a spare tyre.

"Thank you very much for your communication. Sorry for our late reply.
Even if you dont carry a spare wheel with you, your Motorhome
will be covered and get the breakdown assistance in the event of a flat tyre in
Europe.
Do not hesitate to contact us for any questions that arise.
Yours sincerely,"

Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club e.V. (ADAC e.V.)

Mitgliederservice
Mitgliedschaft+Versicherungen
Tel.: 089 7676 6632

Fax: 089 7676 6346
http://www.adac.de/impressum

(I don't know why, but this thread seems to keep attracting spammers. Maybe there's a keyword in its title that their software targets. Anyway, I'm locking it now, as the last "real" post on it was over a year ago. If anyone needs to say anything more on the same subject, please start a new thread. TJ, 21.10.14)

516yuanyuan · May 16, 2016

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Spare wheel, Benima, Ducato 2.8JTD 2004

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