conceptumator wrote:
As was pointed out, most new RV's don't come with a spare and there's a reason. First, unless you have a good impact wrench with you, getting the wheel off is going to be nearly impossible. Getting the lug nuts torqued back on after changing is going to be even more challenging. All of this plus the weight of that monster wheel assembly your handling (or two wheels you get to handle if you blow the inside dual) is simply not something you want to do on the side of the interstate....
..This is mostly true, for larger Motorhomes that have 22" wheels/tires. However, the original poster here has a gas rig, with 19.5" tires. Not the same ballgame at all. 19.5" tires are lighter and easier to handle, not to mention less expensive (which are two of the reasons I'm glad my MH has such).
I can tell you from personal exerience, that it most certainly IS possible for an owner to change a 19.5" tire by themself. I've done it. All you need to carry with you is a good bottle jack, torque wrench, socket, wrench, and breaker bar/pipe (3' long is plenty) to go on the wrench to break the lugnuts loose.
Like already said, 19.5" wheels typically only require 150 ft-lbs of torque. You can apply that much torque pretty easily with the right torque wrench, that you can buy from Harbor Freight for around $30. If somebody has put lug nuts on tighter than that, then the breaker bar I mentioned and appropriate wrench, socket can be used to break them loose. Another option is to carry an air impact wrench and portable compressor to run it, which makes it even easier (but not necessary). The breaker bar also can be used to help you maneuver the tire/wheel into place, and pry it up onto the lug bolts.
Anyway, I know the original poster said he didnt want to turn this into a debate of whether or not to carry a spare, and I don't want that to happen, either. I just wanted to point out that 19.5" tires are much easier to handle, change, and indeed CAN be handled by the owner with minimal tools, if they so choose.
