Scene: On our first cross country tour with our 28 Ft. Class A Gas Motorhome, 50 miles outside Winslow, AZ on a hot Desert afternoon. All of a sudden, the TPMS (tire pressure monitor system) sounds off, rapid loss of pressure in the passenger rear inside tire. I immediately pull off and call for Emergency Roadside assistance. They ask for the tire size, Goodyear G670 RV 245/70R19.5. They said $600 and they have to order it, could be a week or two to get the tire. So that’s my nightmare. I want to carry spare tire/wheel or just the tire.Has anyone had this happen to them? Is it a common occurrence? Are most of the flat tires a tread puncture that can be plugged and be run on for 500 miles?Can most roadside service plug the tire.I priced a spare tire system: Tire: $400; Wheel: $200; Roadmaster 195225 Spare Tire Carrier for Motorhomes $595; Hi/Lo Hitch $95; Lug Nuts, 1 Locking.Grand Total: $1300.Does anyone have a cheaper solution?Does anyone carry just a tire? How do you carry it on the Motorhome? Thanks, Al

Having been in a somewhat similar situation, I would at least carry the tire if you have the space to put it. Road service can always mount it for you. I got taken really bad for a tire, like almost 2 times the price, when I had a problem. Won't be without one again.

Roadside assistance will put your tire on your rim but it might cost you a couple bucks. I do not carry a spare, 22.5 tires are big and heavy.

Can you change it yourself? OK since you are calling service anyway just have them bring a tire and pop it on the existing wheel.

I never go more than 10 miles from home without a spare tire for the vehicle and any trailer. Back a couple of decades ago, I was driving from Memphis to Atlanta to deposit a daughter at Georgia Tech, with my 6' utility trailer loaded down. Before leaving Memphis, I went to a local tire store and bought a used rim and tire for a trailer spare. I didn't have to use it, but it is still attached to the front of the trailer. (But with another tire, as I feel 20 years old is too old for a spare.)As long as you have it, roadside assistance can mount it and get you back on the road.

Another think to consider is whether or not you'll have cellular service when you need a tire changed. It's an easier decision with a Class C and much lighter tires.

Should I carry a spare tire? | Good Sam Community

LadyRVer
Explorer II
May 22, 2020
Having been in a somewhat similar situation, I would at least carry the tire if you have the space to put it. Road service can always mount it for you. I got taken really bad for a tire, like almost 2 times the price, when I had a problem. Won't be without one again.
K_Charles
Explorer
May 22, 2020
Roadside assistance will put your tire on your rim but it might cost you a couple bucks.
I do not carry a spare, 22.5 tires are big and heavy.
time2roll
Nomad
May 22, 2020
Can you change it yourself? OK since you are calling service anyway just have them bring a tire and pop it on the existing wheel.
Bobbo
Explorer II
May 22, 2020
I never go more than 10 miles from home without a spare tire for the vehicle and any trailer. Back a couple of decades ago, I was driving from Memphis to Atlanta to deposit a daughter at Georgia Tech, with my 6' utility trailer loaded down. Before leaving Memphis, I went to a local tire store and bought a used rim and tire for a trailer spare. I didn't have to use it, but it is still attached to the front of the trailer. (But with another tire, as I feel 20 years old is too old for a spare.)

As long as you have it, roadside assistance can mount it and get you back on the road.
pauldub
Explorer
May 22, 2020
Another think to consider is whether or not you'll have cellular service when you need a tire changed. It's an easier decision with a Class C and much lighter tires.
patperry2766
Explorer II
May 22, 2020
Check craigslist to see in you can assemble the package cheaper. Might be able to at least get a tire and/or rim cheaper
PatJ
Explorer II
May 22, 2020
Personally I carry a spare tire, on a wheel, mounted and inflated, and I also carry the USA made jack/wrench/breaker bar to replace it in an emergency. My 2019 rig did not come with a space, jack or wrench. It was expensive to add and it sucked to spend the money on that. In my opinion it was required so there was no debate. I'm maybe $1k into an OEM Ford wheel, a tire to match the others, a USA valve stem, mount/blanace, a bottle jack, a 36" breaker bar, and a USA made 6 pt socket. I am 16".

In a real emergency I feel like I could change a tire and get us back on the road. If it weren't a real eemergency or I was in cell phone range, I would call a service truck and let them wrestle the tire in. But in a punch I feel like I could do it, and I sleep better because of that. Either way, no one is going to tell me they are out of stock because I have it.

It is $1300, suck it up and do it. What did your rig cost? Just do it. That is my opinion.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
May 22, 2020
K Charles wrote:
Roadside assistance will put your tire on your rim but it might cost you a couple bucks.
I do not carry a spare, 22.5 tires are big and heavy.

I hear your strain!

1100x 22.5 ten of them
2_many_2
Explorer III
May 22, 2020
PatJ wrote:
Personally I carry a spare tire, on a wheel, mounted and inflated, and I also carry the USA made jack/wrench/breaker bar to replace it in an emergency. My 2019 rig did not come with a space, jack or wrench. It was expensive to add and it sucked to spend the money on that. In my opinion it was required so there was no debate. I'm maybe $1k into an OEM Ford wheel, a tire to match the others, a USA valve stem, mount/blanace, a bottle jack, a 36" breaker bar, and a USA made 6 pt socket. I am 16".

In a real emergency I feel like I could change a tire and get us back on the road. If it weren't a real eemergency or I was in cell phone range, I would call a service truck and let them wrestle the tire in. But in a punch I feel like I could do it, and I sleep better because of that. Either way, no one is going to tell me they are out of stock because I have it.

It is $1300, suck it up and do it. What did your rig cost? Just do it. That is my opinion.

This is what I have been doing for fifty years. I do not want to be at the mercy of anyone else unless I absolutely have to. With today's modern technology, I do not know why anyone would pay an annual fee to an ERS just for the opportunity to argue with a middle man.
lane_hog
Explorer II
May 22, 2020
I've always carried a spare, and it's been put to use three times when time was a premium for us. Having to wait even 24 hours to get a tire locally would have been catastrophic for us on each of those trips, but turned into 2-4 hour inconveniences waiting for the tow service to come out and use the right tools to swap things out.

Our Class C has a carrier under the rear frame for the spare. It isn't easy to wrestle, but the tire service folks have never had trouble with it. I carry the jack and breaker bar, but really don't want to risk my coach if I can make a phone call and get the service our insurance provider offers as part of their RV package.