Why do we carry a spare tire around?

Heapie wrote:
With a Roadtrek, none of us are able to change a tire, especially those of us who are 75 years or older.

So, why carry one?

Days after I purchased my new to me Roadtrek, I had new tires put on all around. A day later, I decided to remove the spare to see how much trouble it would be to mount it should I have a flat.

Getting the spare off the rear tire carrier was a challenge. The combined weight of the spare, rim, and tire carrier is close to 75 pounds. I would hate to have to fool with trying to get the tire off the carrier on the side of the road.

After I finally got the tire off the carrier (you'll need the spare tire key, a lug wrench and a hammer), I spent time locating the Chevy jack and reading the manual about jacking up the van.

My plan was to try to jack up the left front tire and try to change it. (I was doing this in the safety of my level driveway on a concrete slab. Ideal conditions that likely wouldn't exist if changing a tire on the road.)

According to the Chevy manual, getting the jack under the van and positioning correctly is important if you don't want to damage the underside or risk the van falling off the jack. It does require you to lay on the ground and crawl a little ways up under the van.

It is a chore I wouldn't want to do on the side of the road. Can't imagine doing it after dark or in the rain or snow.

Also if the tire were completely flat and the ground weren't completely level, getting the jack under the van could be an issue.

With the tire fully inflated, I did get the jack in position and did get the tire lifted off the ground.

I tried getting one of the lug nuts off but discovered the right angle lug nut wrench supplied with the van wasn't up to the task. You probably would need a 4 way lug wrench to get enough leverage to take off the nuts.

I gave up and decided if I ever had a flat, I wouldn't be changing it by myself on the side of the road. Neither would my wife.

Rather than carry around dead weight on the back door, I took the spare and tire carrier completely off and stored it in the garage.

I then went to Amazon and bought a Q Industries MV50 SuperFlow High-Volume 12-Volt Air Compressor (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BM8RT8) and stored it in the back of the van under the bed.

If I get a slow leak in a remote area, I'll use the air compressor to air it up enough until I can get to services.

If I were going to drive to Alaska I would definitely take a spare. But driving around the lower 48 on new 10 ply tires, I'll rely on my air compressor and road side service.

Bill