Torch

[Buckman]

The generation 1 Sorento had its full size spare under the rear floor pan and you winched it down. No need to go emptying the boot. No wonder it was called “ God’s gift to caravanners”

Our 2005 Jeep had the same system and it was brilliant. Apparently it was dropped because it made it easier to steal the spare wheel as all they had to do was cut the cable holding the spare wheel holder? They would have needed a torch to see the cable.

 

[Beachball]

GEARLITE G1000 Led Torch rechargeable 2 pack super bright adjustable focus flashlight with three modes from Amazon for £15.89 so far they have been excellent .

 

[ProfJohnL]

I suggest if the torch is being considered for use when power outages occur, don't have one with built in rechargeable cells, as if the cells discharge before the outage ends, you can't recharge it!

From time to time the likes of Aldi and Lidl have some small aluminium LED torches, often sold as camping torches. These can be surprisingly bright, some models can be focused.

 

[Buckman]

I suggest if the torch is being considered for use when power outages occur, don't have one with built in rechargeable cells, as if the cells discharge before the outage ends, you can't recharge it!

From time to time the likes of Aldi and Lidl have some small aluminium LED torches, often sold as camping torches. These can be surprisingly bright, some models can be focused.

We only have one of those rather large torches or lanterns that requires recharging and the power outage is a good reason not to invest in a rechargeable. Having said that we have two Gaz lamps for illumination in the home plus spare cylinders. Torch would be mainly for finding them in the dark plus of course the odd occasion outside.

 

[trevormonty]

Recently bought usb chargeable Fenix headlamp from Aliexpress. Not cheap at £40 but brillant light (pun intended). Far superior to crappy energizer 3xAAA candles. Once you've used quality headlamp there is no going back.

USB rechargeable torches are better in power outage. Can be recharged from, car or caravan house battery so never need to worry about flat batteries. With right USB cables from your phone or tablet.

 

[otherclive]

Recently bought usb chargeable Fenix headlamp from Aliexpress. Not cheap at £40 but brillant light (pun intended). Far superior to crappy energizer 3xAAA candles. Once you've used quality headlamp there is no going back.

USB rechargeable torches are better in power outage. Can be recharged from, car or caravan house battery so never need to worry about flat batteries. With right USB cables from your phone or tablet.

We don’t worry about flat batteries for our torches as we always keep packs of Varta from Screwfix. But I’ve also got two rechargeable lanterns that have usb outlets, and two power packs tgat can charge phones with their integrated torches. If push comes to shove there’s hundreds of table lights in the garage plus gas flame igniter in their box. If we can’t cope with that lot I would go to bed. 😂

 

[Hutch]

Apologies I got the incorrect impression from your post. Most, like us, probably think that as you paid for it, you would use it. Anyway any breakdown service that takes hours to arrive to deal with a puncture should be dumped. No wonder they are free?

Only on one occasion have we waited for more than an hour for breakdown, but that was due to no low loader being available as the vehicle needed to removed. For punctures definitely well under an hour.

In the Jeep it is a hassle to access the spare wheel as it is in a well under the rear floor which means emptying anything out of the boot area. Plus you have the weight of the full size spare wheel. I cannot manage it although I could probably manage the spare wheel on the Corolla. However as we are retired there is no rush so no big deal waiting an hour.

So how many punctures have you had, and how many have taken more ore less than 1 hour, over how many years. ???
I have had one puncture in, 10 years. .

 

[otherclive]

So how many punctures have you had, and how many have taken more ore less than 1 hour, over how many years. ???
I have had one puncture in, 10 years. .

I have had four since 2018. One non repairable in Wales picked up on TPMS. For that one it was in a quiet road in north Wales leading up to our accommodation. So I put my full size spare in and went looking for a tyre depot in Bangor. The others I picked up on my weekly pressure checks and drove the car to an tyre depot as they were slow leaks. Again one non repairable. So two new tyres and two tyres repaired in five years. Could have done without that.

 

[Beardy]

From time to time the likes of Aldi and Lidl have some small aluminium LED torches, often sold as camping torches. These can be surprisingly bright, some models can be focused.

The Lidl ones (as photo below) are fantastic considering they're only a fiver each. I have one in the caravan for walking the dog before turning in for the night.

 

[otherclive]

The Lidl ones (as photo below) are fantastic considering they're only a fiver each. I have one in the caravan for walking the dog before turning in for the night.

View attachment 5846

I have quite a number of Lidls Crivit stuff, even my cycle helmet. Never had a problem with Lidl or Aldi kit.

 

[otherclive]

The Lidl ones (as photo below) are fantastic considering they're only a fiver each. I have one in the caravan for walking the dog before turning in for the night.

View attachment 5846

I have quite a number of Lidls Crivit stuff, even my cycle helmet. Never had a problem with Lidl or Aldi kit.

 

[Hutch]

I like the Crivit and Parkside brands from Lidl, just bought a 0 to 25m. Micrometer for £4.99. I don't use it as a G clamp.

 

[otherclive]

I like the Crivit and Parkside brands from Lidl, just bought a 0 to 25m. Micrometer for £4.99. I don't use it as a G clamp.

That’s one heck of a big micrometer 😂

 

[Hutch]

That’s one heck of a big micrometer 😂

Oh , you being pedantic , 0-25mm

 

[Buckman]

So how many punctures have you had, and how many have taken more ore less than 1 hour, over how many years. ???
I have had one puncture in, 10 years. .

I don't keep count, but a couple both on caravan and car. No issues with Mayday being prompt.

 

[RogerL]

I don't keep count, but a couple both on caravan and car. No issues with Mayday being prompt.

Punctures are a matter of luck - more likely depends how many houses are being built nearby as builders seem to drop everything out of their trucks!

We've had one puncture on the caravan in 40 years - it was repaired but subsequently allowed water into the tread which caused the steel reinforcement to corrode which in turn caused the tyre to go oval !!

Despite having Mayday, I'd be tempted to put the spare on myself if it was safe to do so.

 

[Buckman]

My worst car for punctures was our S80 with Pirelli tyres. At one point I must have replaced all the tyres due to location of the puncture being near the sidewall.

I have never had a puncture on any of our 4x4s, but did have a valve stem snap off. Two blow outs on different caravans and probably a couple punctures. Last punctures they found on current caravan were 2 punctures on one tyre.

 

[JTQ]

Drifting a bit from the "Torch" subject.

IMO a "real" tyre blowout with caravans is rare, though very often appears the apparent visual final outcome, but actually caused by the likes of a puncture resulting it it having been run underinflated.
The sure "tell tale" here is if the remains of the carcase are either of nice un heat damaged "rubber" or what I usually have seen heat destroyed side walls.
I am pretty sure though if used way beyond the particular tyre's viable life, then they could have a true blowout, but still caused by denaturing of the carcase.

On the subject of failing caravan tyres my experience of standard, car type, tyre stems is that these are not up to use with high pressure applications like 65 psi seen on some vans, coupled to trying to match a 6 to 7 year tyre life. These can reach 75 psi in use on occasions.
Now I will only accept use of high pressure stems, whatever the tyre fitter believes is adequate, it's us that lives with them.
Like these

 

[Buckman]

Drifting a bit from the "Torch" subject.

IMO a "real" tyre blowout with caravans is rare, though very often appears the apparent visual final outcome, but actually caused by the likes of a puncture resulting it it having been run underinflated.
The sure "tell tale" here is if the remains of the carcase are either of nice un heat damaged "rubber" or what I usually have seen heat destroyed side walls.
I am pretty sure though if used way beyond the particular tyre's viable life, then they could have a true blowout, but still caused by denaturing of the carcase.

On the subject of failing caravan tyres my experience of standard, car type, tyre stems is that these are not up to use with high pressure applications like 65 psi seen on some vans, coupled to trying to match a 6 to 7 year tyre life. These can reach 75 psi in use on occasions.
Now I will only accept use of high pressure stems, whatever the tyre fitter believes is adequate, it's us that lives with them.
Like these

Our first blow out on a previous caravan happened not long after we had left a site and at the time we were n the M4. Then discovered that access the spare wheel on the ALKO carrier was a nightmare for the technician. We did not have a TPMS at the time and bought one shortly afterwards.

Second blow out was while we were on a site in France. We had been pitched up for about 2 days when the tyre blew. We know all the tyres were at the correct pressure prior to arriving as we had the TPM. When we heard the bang we thought it was somewhere else and did not immediately realised it was our tyre. The caravan was about 11 months old.

 

[Beachball]

The Lidl ones (as photo below) are fantastic considering they're only a fiver each. I have one in the caravan for walking the dog before turning in for the night.

View attachment 5846

When i need a new torch that a great buy at that price

 

[Bluetonic]

I bought one of these (at about a quarter of the current price

Amazon.co.uk

I must say I've been very impressed, it's been great for working underneath cars or general use around the caravan in the dark

 

[Jcloughie]

I purchased a good ‘head light’ many years ago, it is in the car for emergencies and tested every so often. never yet been used in anger. But it is always there if necessary.

This one from Stanley is smashing for power cuts, pleasant all round light, though not a torch.




Now replaced with an improved version I think. But this one can be picked up for£11

John

 

[Buckman]

Have a look at 'Nebo' torches on places like Screwfix - my son has had one of the cheaper ones for several years as an all-purpose tool - I think its this one (rechargeable too!)

Nebo 450 Flex Rechargeable LED Torch Graphite 250lm - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Pocket-sized torch that features 6x adjustable zoom and dual-direction clip to attach to clothing or gear. Durable aluminium body and water-resistant for outdoor use. Powerful magnetic base for convenient hands-free lighting with on/off button for easy operation. 4...

www.screwfix.com

We bought the Nebo Big Larry 2 as for us it has a dual purpose and saves us buying a rechargeable light that needs to be fixed to the wall.