Easy Question for Seasoned Class A Veterans...

[DryCreek]

OK, I had an epiphany the other day while out shopping for a used Class A MH. How do most of you handle a flat or blowout? I don't recall seeing a single spare on any of the rigs we looked at, and certainly no room to store one. Surely you don't call and then sit around waiting for a tire service truck, do you?

Oh, I did see a large cross-wrench in one of the pass thtrough storage bays. I think it was even in the one MH that is now running near the top of our list.

[rgatijnet1]

If you happen to find a Workhorse W chassis with the 19.5 tires, the lug torque is 475 ft pounds. Not a problem if you carry a jack stand and a 4' length of pipe and remove it like this. If you have changed a tractor tire, you already know how to handle a heavy tire. Service techs do it all of the time with just basic tools.

[cwit]

A class a with 19.5 tires has enough room between frame rails in the rear to hold a spare. 22.5 will not fit. Most 19.5 require 120 to 150 f.p. A 22.5 is usually around 450 f. P. They do require a lot of strength and know how to put on the hub. Not easy. This is why on 22.5 they don't do spares. You can buy or build a carrier that goes in rear hitch to carry spare.

[DryCreek]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
A lot depends on where you plan to travel. I always carry an unmounted spare in the basement since I have plenty of room with my gas coach.
If you always travel around metropolitan areas of the country, it may not ever be a problem finding someone to quickly come out and change out your flat. They MAY even be able to find a replacement 19.5 tire of the same brand as the tires you have on your coach. If they can't get the same brand, for whatever reason, then you are stuck with a mismatched tire that may or may not be the same diameter as your other tires.
If you travel to more remote areas out West, you may find yourself 100+ miles from a place that can change you tire. I have been in locations out West where it was 100 miles to the nearest gas station. In that case, you may have to wait hours for roadside service to get to you and you will undoubtably have to accept the tire that they bring, which may even be a used replacement, or not quite the same size, etc.
The reason why I carry an unmounted spare is that I know that I always have a tire that can be installed that will match the tires I have on the coach. I also carry the tools to change that tire, if it looks like it will be hours before someone can respond.
If you stick to interstate highways, roadside assistance is usually readily available. If you travel some of the back roads, and are traveling on a Sunday/holiday, you may find that roadside service can take a very long time.
I remember one poster on this board who blew a tire on the interstate in the Tampa, FL area, on a Sunday Holiday weekend. Roadside service was available but they could not find a tire store that was open and had their brand/size of tire. I seem to remember they did not get back on the road until 24+ hours later.
Just look at how you travel and, as Murphy's Law dictates, you will need roadside assistance in the worst possible location and at the worst possible time. Then you can decide how important carrying a spare is, or for that matter, carrying any tools or spare parts.

This is exactly my line of reasoning. Sure, I plan to have roadside assistance, you'd be crazy not to. You never know when you will need a tow or jumpstart. But, if I am stuck on the side of road with no help available for several hours, you can bet that I am at least going to try and get myself back on the road if it's an issue as simple as a flat tire. I agree, the 19.5" tires can be difficult to handle, but if you can change out a water filled rear tractor tire, you get the general idea about taking care of your back and fingers while involved in a strenuous task.

Now, to just find a coach approved by the DW, and find a place for a complete spare.

[rgatijnet1]

A lot depends on where you plan to travel. I always carry an unmounted spare in the basement since I have plenty of room with my gas coach.
If you always travel around metropolitan areas of the country, it may not ever be a problem finding someone to quickly come out and change out your flat. They MAY even be able to find a replacement 19.5 tire of the same brand as the tires you have on your coach. If they can't get the same brand, for whatever reason, then you are stuck with a mismatched tire that may or may not be the same diameter as your other tires.
If you travel to more remote areas out West, you may find yourself 100+ miles from a place that can change you tire. I have been in locations out West where it was 100 miles to the nearest gas station. In that case, you may have to wait hours for roadside service to get to you and you will undoubtably have to accept the tire that they bring, which may even be a used replacement, or not quite the same size, etc.
The reason why I carry an unmounted spare is that I know that I always have a tire that can be installed that will match the tires I have on the coach. I also carry the tools to change that tire, if it looks like it will be hours before someone can respond.
If you stick to interstate highways, roadside assistance is usually readily available. If you travel some of the back roads, and are traveling on a Sunday/holiday, you may find that roadside service can take a very long time.
I remember one poster on this board who blew a tire on the interstate in the Tampa, FL area, on a Sunday Holiday weekend. Roadside service was available but they could not find a tire store that was open and had their brand/size of tire. I seem to remember they did not get back on the road until 24+ hours later.
Just look at how you travel and, as Murphy's Law dictates, you will need roadside assistance in the worst possible location and at the worst possible time. Then you can decide how important carrying a spare is, or for that matter, carrying any tools or spare parts.

[10forty2]

Another opinion with experience from 2 blowouts involving 3 tires. First blowout was roadside rear duals and it took out both tires. I had a spare, but it would have done me no good in that case as I needed two new tires. Second blowout, was in the same fender well, but only took out one tire. BUT....the damage it caused required additional tools to cut the tailpipe and other obstructions so I could move on to my destination.

I DO carry a mounted spare, 3-gal. compressor and air tools. If I had to, I would attempt to change out a damaged tire roadside, but that would be a last resort. I pay for Good Sam Roadside Assistance. I have and will continue to use it as my preferred method of roadside help when needed. 19.5" wheels get pretty big and heavy with traffic zooming by at 80mph, wind blowing and raining or snowing. I'd rather sit in the comfort of my motorhome while I wait for the service truck.

[YC_1]

You do not need an impact wrench or a 6 foot breaker bar with one of these tools.
Torque multiplier

[4x4ord]

If I had a big DP there is no way I would worry about fixing a flat tire. I would drive to a tire shop if a dual was flat and if a front tire went flat I would drive off the road somewhere put the slides out and be in camping mode while I waited.

[Tinstar]

In my older D/P, I used to change them all the time. I even had two blow-outs on one trip which I change on the side of the road. I carried a 20 ton jack, all the tools and a 6 foot cheater bar. Never had a problem doing it and I did have roadside service. I just didn't want to wait 3 or 4 hours for them to get there. I had one mounted tire under the chassis and an unmounted in a bay although I never needed both on one trip without a repair in between. At home, I have a 1 inch impact which makes things a lot easier.

It sucks but my newer coach doesn't have room for a spare unless I empty my slide out tray.

[doxiemom11]

Our class A has a mounted spare that is inside one of the storage bays on a rack specifically designed to carry it. We have coachnet and would call them as it's not worth getting hurt ( think hernia's, back) trying to deal with the heavy tires You may also be looking at extreme outdoor temps, pouring rain or other adverse conditions. So much easier to carry road service and let them deal with it.

[2gypsies1]

OP: It sounds like you've had a lot of flats. Could it be that your vehicles/trailers are overloaded? Or not inflated properly? Or tires not changed out in a safe time period?

We traveled constantly for 16 years including Alaska, all over the country and including your state of Texas and never had a flat on the RV. We checked them before moving and replaced them by age, not looks. We would never attempt changing a big rig tire and full-timers seldom would have room to store a big, heavy tire. They're already carrying everything they own. I would think that manufacturers of the big rigs don't install a spare because of knowing how dangerous it would be to lift and change one. Depending on how big of a rig you get you just may change your mind. Good luck!

[Gjac]

I have a spare 19.5 spare, 1/2 in breaker bar with a 2 ft pipe for an extension and 6 point sockets. As for flat tires I also carry a plug kit and a 12v air pump. In 80k miles I only had to use the plug kit once and did not have to demount tire. The repair lasted me until I got new tires. I found the best way to change the tire is to roll it on top of the breaker bar then pryup bar to align it onto the studs.

[CA_Traveler]

DryCreek wrote:
I would even be tempted to take along one of my better impact wrenches if I had a diesel with a solid air source!

Based on my experience DPs do not have adequate air to run an impact wrench.

[Two_Hands]

My 2011 Southwind gasser did not have a spare and neither does the diesel pusher I now own. Haven't needed AAA for either motorhome. I used them once to change the blowout on my fiver and it did have a spare.

[YC_1]

A 22.5 inch tire and wheel is a monster to remove with normal tools. Even using a torque multiplier you will work up a good sweat removing the lug nuts. Then try lifting one.

Coach net takes good care of me. Find a safe place to park and wait. No I do not carry a spare on my current mh. I have not had a flat in over 10 years.

[MrWizard]

Had a spare on three didn't gasser's

But our DP with 22.5 inch tires , has no spare
So yes it's cellphone, road service, and plastic
I could not change it even if we had One
They are too big and too heavy