What alternatives are there to a spare wheel and jack?

[SillyBilly]

Hi

My MTLPM is very close to my Fiat Multipla's towing limit and my nose-weight limit is low at only 70kg. The Bailey Ranger 550/6 didn't come with a spare just a shaped recess in the gas box and a strap! To keep the nose weight down I am told I should put an alko spare wheel carrier behind the wheels. The price and the weight of carrier, spare wheel and jack seems excessive, especially as I am an optimist!

There exist cyliders of sealant which can be used. I read that Fiat Multiplas in Italy aren't sold with the thin spare wheel but come with such a sealant. Does anyone know of a suitable product which I could use which would pump up to 55psi and a web link or dealers that stock it?

 

[SteveW77]

Most punctures on caravans result in the tyre being totaly destroyed due to the fact, that until the tyre is completely flat you usually dont feel anything wrong. By that time the tye has been running flat for some time and the side wall has been destroyed. So relying on a compound sealant is very risky.

Steve W

 

[Carl-GreyhoundsrUs]

I used to put a product called ultraseal in the tyres of my motorbike, as obviously no spare is carried. This product is tested up to 160 MPH, keeps tyres from overheating, cracking etc, and also prevents punctures. I trusted it faithfully at high speed on two wheels and never had any problems. Not got round to putting it in my caravan tyres yet. Its expensive though at around

 

[Angus1]

I`ve also used Ultraseal (local caravan dealer stocks it) and would definatly recommend it.

I would also recommend carrying a spare regardless.

 

[Tram]

Hi Sillybilly,

I have the Bailey 550/6 too and as you say it doesn't come with a spare wheel. I did buy one later though and the Alco jack system too. When travelling i store the spare wheel in the 'van above the axle and put the jack there as well. It is more accessible there than under the 'van if it were needed on route. On arrival and when in storage i put it in the front locker. I have wondered since if it would have been better to have Tyron bands fitted instead as the spare wheel may never be used but the tyre will become life-expired in 7 years. It's a lot of extra weight to cart around for nothing.

 

[SteveW77]

I do not understand you reference to Tyron bands, as these only make sure that the deflated tyre does not come of the rim. They do not prevent the tyre from going flat, or as in the case of chemical sealants, from getting a puncture in the first place. Tyron bands are not a replacement for a spare wheel.

Steve W

 

[Tram]

No, they're not a replacement for a spare wheel but if the tyre goes flat you can still tow with it flat to a place where you can sort out the problem i.e. a garage, service area, nearby camp site. With no spare wheel and no tyron bands you are stuck at the point that you become aware the tyre is flat.

 

[SteveW77]

If you travelled more than a few yards on a deflated tyre the wheel rim would almost certainly be badly damaged and no proffesional mechanic or tyre fitter would fit a new tyre on it anyway. If they they did and the tyre susequently failed the would be liable to prosecution.

Steve W

 

[Lutz]

If the tyre is already in shreads, Tyron bands are not going to let you drive one yard further than without them.

 

[RayS]

There seems to be reluctance on part of tyre dealers to repair tyres which have had a sealant eg Ultraseal installed. They claim this prevents some types of repair from been done correctly. I would be more inclined to carry the can of repair foam and gas and/ or a 12v. air comperessor than treat the tyres. But I would also carry a spare - perhaps in the towcar if necessary for van weight distribution.

 

[Lutz]

Unless it is a slow puncture in the tread area, a puncture is irrepairable anyway. Repairable punctures of caravan tyres probably only account for a very small proportion of all cases, so repair is seldom going to be an issue.

 

[joeby]

we had a puncture at 60 Mph when we owned single axle van ,allthough the van was steady as we slowed down the tyre was completely shredded ,we didnt have tyron bands fitted i might add any body finding themselves in this situation on the motorway call your emergency services out ,do not try and change the wheel yourself

 

[Tram]

It seems my idea of what Tyron bands do and what everyone else thinks they do are different.

I quote the unequivocal Tyron claim below.

Quote:

CARAVAN

Standard Sprite Musketeer. Laden to Maximum Gross Weight. No stabiliser fitted. Ford Cosworth (460bhp). Standard suspension.

Test Track: Bruntingthorpe Test Track, Leicestershire.

Vehicles fitted with Tyron wheel safety bands.

The caravan tyre was detonated at 113.3mph (recorded by RAC timekeepers) and speed maintained over half mile. The outfit was turned at the end of the track to repeat the run at an average speed of approximately 100mph. On the same tyre simulated 'snaking' trials were performed at 60mph. Then from 70mph an emergency stop was executed, into a coned 'box' approximately 1 metre (3') wider than the caravan. At the completion of all tests the caravan wheel was totally undamaged. No damage had been sustained by the caravan's wheel arch, wheelbox or trim. Unquote.

If you consider a caravan blow out to render the tyre life-expired then it would seem to me to be a excellent alternative to a spare wheel.

except: Caravan manufactures tend to use tyres that are not found on many vehicles and so are hard to source. That's the only reason I carry a heavy spare wheel all over the country for years on end.

 

[SillyBilly]

Thanks for the replies. I have checked out the tyron bands but with the weight, cost and the current different shaped wheels they don't seem to be what I need. There seems to be two types of sealant. The one you put in before you have a puncture, and the get me home type you put in and inflate after you get a puncture. I take the point made earlier that by the time you find you have a puncture the tyre would have disintegrated so the second type like Comma Tyreseal is less attractive except it may pump the tyre up. The first type like UltraSeal, Slime, Magik Seal, and Ride On might help prevent the deflation. Buying and carrying a spare above the axle and putting it in the front locker on arrival and using my old bottle jack under the axle (if I could get it in!)is still a possibility, but even this involves expence. The last 14" steel Bailey wheel on ebay went for over