Spare wheel

[cooky1]

I read on another forum that one of their site administrators does not carry a caravan spare wheel but relies on the AA if he has a puncture.

I don't think that is a good idea. Any thoughts?

 

[Lutz]

I think everyone must decide for themselves how high the risk of having a puncture is and the consequences of not having a spare wheel available. Does the advantage of being able to fix a puncture yourself outweigh the disadvantage of additional weight? In view of the fact that several car manufacturers are deleting spare wheels as standard fitment (and, after all, more mileage is covered in the car compared to the caravan) it's a point worth considering.

 

[chrissie2]

I always understood that the AA, RAC etc. would only deal with an incident involving a pucture, if a servicable spare wheel was carried? Is this in fact not the case. I certainly would not wich to be without one, either for the car or the caravan.

 

[MikeA]

I don't fancy the thought of touring without spare wheels (car or caravan). We've been pretty lucky and only had a tyre go on the van once in 15 years. One was on the farm track leading out of a site in West Wales and even though I stopped imediately it was a very quick deflation and the wheel rim had already written off the tyre. We had a spare and were on our way inside

 

[RogerL]

Chrissie is right. The recovery services will change a punctured tyre but they won't go shopping for something that's regarded as essential.

 

[Lutz]

I'm under the impression, but maybe I'm wrong, that on many modern vehicles, electronic defects are responsible for more walk-home failures than punctures. So, if I put up with having to have the car towed away in the case of something wrong with the electronics, why should I not put up with the even less likely consequences of a puncture? At least, that is the reasoning behind car manufacturers who, under pressure of having to reduce weight, are deleting the car's spare tyre.

 

[Guest]

I can not make any comment regarding the services offered by the recovery companies. I guess what you are offered is related to the premium you have paid.

However, I assume everyone on this Forum has actually made an attempt at changing either the caravan or even their car wheels???? Much discussion has already been made regarding jacking of caravans, and how difficult it can be, but has everyone seen how heavy and cumbersome car wheels have become, especially with the low profile tyres. In addition, can the wheel nuts even be undone using the puny device supplied. I have an extendable wrench for my motormover which I also use for the wheel nuts and even then it can take a hernia inducing heave to get them free. These are retightened to the correct torque but tighten themselves with use, especially if the wheel is alloy. Use of copper grease will help but you cannot overdo that or you may get the wrong torque figures.

No disrespect to the ladies, but unless they are 'Pansy Potter, the strongman's daughter' (Beano), they should just call the recovery service, I don't think they would abandon you whether or not a spare is carried. Of course with a caravan puncture you can always leave it on the jack at the side of the road and take the offending wheel to be repaired. You just hope the van is still there when you get back, or leave a minder.

 

[Surfer]

I had a Volvo S80 and was supplied with a doughnut spare. I was not happy towing a caravan home with that on the car. Consequently I purchase a proper spare at a cost of

 

[cooky1]

Scotch Lad, whatever you do don't put any sort of oil/grease on wheel studs.

 

[Lutz]

The car makers say it's purely psychological - the comforting thought that you've got a spare. If it weren't for the customers continuing to demand a spare wheel that's perhaps needed once in five years, they'd drop them tomorrow.

 

[cooky1]

Sounds like the car makers trying to save money.

 

[Lutz]

Sounds like the car makers trying to save money.

Not only cost but weight. Fuel economy standards divide cars into various weight classes and some models are just a fraction over one of the specified limits. By saving a few kilos here and there, the car makers are able to get a model into a lower weight class.

 

[JandP]

I have had 2 puntures in caravan tyres (one annoyingly in a brand new tyre). The first thing to note is that a puncture in a caravan is more difficult to detect than in the car and I found that by the time I realised what had happened not only was the tyre wrecked but so was the wheel! I belong to Britania Rescue which provide an excellent service and include caravans at no extra cost but they insist that there is a serviceable spare. After my experience I can tell you I would NEVER be without a proper spare. Jim.