Spare tire ??

StuckinTracy wrote:
I remember when we first were looking a class A rig (2003). My wife casually asked the salesman where the spare tire was and he said "most motorhomes this size don't carry a spare because you might be dumb enough to try and change it". Most folks couldn't generate enough torque to undo the lug nuts. Let the professionals handle the problem. That's why I have Good Sam roadside assistance.

That works out great depending where you travel. I had a tire blow due to a truck dumping debris in a roadway, outside of east bum****, on a Sunday of course. When roadside assistance came out he said please tell me you have a spare. I was glad I did, or it would have been an unscheduled overnight in some towers lot waiting for a tire to get shipped in from the warehouse. Good Sam roadside assist was great, would never travel without it

Jim Norman wrote:
I carry a mounted Spare on an Simpson/Road Master tip mount on a double hitch extender. I also carry a 42" breaker bar, sockets, the dress cap removal tool, chocks, an impact wrench and a jack stand to support the breaker bar and extension. I can loosen or tighten the lugs, I can move the tire to the required location. Will I change it? Have to see where it happens. I had a front blow out a few years back in my previous coach. Took over 4 hours to get service, Swore that would not happen again.

What road service did you have, that made you wait 4 hours.
If you are now without altogether, given your preparation, what happens when you need a tow?

I carry a mounted Spare on an Simpson/Road Master tip mount on a double hitch extender. I also carry a 42" breaker bar, sockets, the dress cap removal tool, chocks, an impact wrench and a jack stand to support the breaker bar and extension. I can loosen or tighten the lugs, I can move the tire to the required location. Will I change it? Have to see where it happens. I had a front blow out a few years back in my previous coach. Took over 4 hours to get service, Swore that would not happen again.

I carried an un-mounted spare around for 2 years, including the 6 month winter trip we did. I pitched it last spring and now have enough basement space for the satellite dish. Adding a TPMS greatly reduced the tire worries level.

Thanks for all the comments!

"AikenRacer".....When I owned my Diplomat (non tag) coach, I carried an unmounted spare in my main bay. It was a small diameter 22.5, so it fit.

When I bought my current coach, I had no room for a spare, but I'm not as concerned about needing one with this coach. Here's why.....when a tire repair company comes out, they often will not have the same size tire and brand as what you have on your coach. Consequently, you either end up with a mismatched front tire or a dual that is smaller or larger than your other dual. Both of these issues will require immediate attention and the purchase of another tire in your size. Sometimes you do luck out and get a match.

When you have a tag axle, you can pull off one of the tag tires and replace the front or the dual and have a matching tire. It's not a big deal to put an odd ball tire on a tag axle. As a matter of fact, I would leave it there until the trip was over. This really gives you some freedom with the type of tire the repair truck brings.

AikenRacer wrote:
We are planning a trip to Key West next year. Thinking about carrying a spare tire but have no idea on where to store it. No way to tie it down on the room. Would take up a ton of room in the basement area. Will be towing a truck with a golf cart in the bed. I know others have carried spares. Would be interested in seeing how others carried the spare. Thanks!

I guess the double hitch receiver and drop down affair, with an extension, is the way to go. Double check for a reduced rating and especially with pulling a heavy loaded truck.
Having it on the toad is a PITA and not like one would want to leave it on there all the time and way too heavy for frequent off and on. Putting a receiver on the front is out, unless you like having the front of your coach, looking like ****.

For whatever it's worth our 2000 coach came with a spare and in the 18 years of ownership we've never had an occasion to use it. Extremely lucky I guess...

Good luck and safe travels...:)

Ivylog wrote:

DrewE wrote:
This is not a bad solution, but do please secure the tire to the motorhome somehow or another. It may stay up there very well under all ordinary circumstances, but it may only takes one hellacious bump to send it flying, and I would not at all care to be the unlucky soul driving behind should that happen.

Your gasser must ride ruffer than my DP. I've never gone negative gravity which is what it would take to raise the tire up 8" to clear the cover over the vent. Rolling a unmouted spare off the roof is easy enough and without air in it, it does not bounce.

Undoubtedly my (gas) motorhome does ride more roughly. I also suspect that I may compound that occasionally by traveling on rougher roads than you'd be willing to take yours, though I don't know that for an absolute fact.

Nevertheless, I really don't understand your reluctance to securing loose cargo to your vehicle. In normal driving it obviously does stay put just fine. In normal use, one never has to rely on the safety chains for a trailer hookup, either, but that doesn't mean one should dispense with them. In most cases, one can use a circular saw without getting particles embedded in one's eyes, but that doesn't preclude the importance of wearing safety glasses for the odd unusual circumstance.

After once having more trouble than enough with the road service (Good Sam) finding a tire and replacing it after 24+ hours on the side of the road in the rain I carry a fully mounted and aired up 22.5 spare in one of the slide out trays. I don't care if I never use it it is there.