Tire stuff -Mixed Spare tire- will it work

[americanrascal]

Recently we bought a new Itasca MH on an F53 chassis with GY G670 RV tires. Itasca doesn't crank out rigs in this model line with spare tires.(245 70R19.5)

Having had a Class A a few years back that seemed to enjoy blowing tires or having tires that fail, I want to always have spare handy- especially since we are running up the Alaska Hiway this coming summer.I recently purchased a wheel to mount a spare on this new rig.

My mind is saying to me don't spend big on this spare- just get something to get you to the next spot where you can have your G670 repaired or replaced. So I have been eyeballing a Sailun S637 which is significantly lower cost than a GY.

I see a bunch out there on these Sailun G670 tires for 5vers (smaller diameters) but not much about them for MH's.

Is this a practical tire for a MH spare? Any big issues with running an odd tire for a while until I can replace something in kind if I lost a GY G670 assuming same load range?

Do these tires work well permanently mounted?

Would appreciate some outside thinking guidance here about this.

Thanks
Rascal

[americanrascal]

I went with the Sailun for just shy of 200 mounted on the wheel and balanced. Loaded it easily into the rear compartment (around 120 lbs?). I will be singing soprano for a while but its in there and I have it if I need it.

I will definitely be calling road service if I ever need it-- unless we are on the Alaska Hiway or the boonies with no cell service then I might have to give it a go myself (fingers crossed --never I hope)

[tropical36]

americanrascal wrote:
Recently we bought a new Itasca MH on an F53 chassis with GY G670 RV tires. Itasca doesn't crank out rigs in this model line with spare tires.(245 70R19.5)

Having had a Class A a few years back that seemed to enjoy blowing tires or having tires that fail, I want to always have spare handy- especially since we are running up the Alaska Hiway this coming summer.I recently purchased a wheel to mount a spare on this new rig.

My mind is saying to me don't spend big on this spare- just get something to get you to the next spot where you can have your G670 repaired or replaced. So I have been eyeballing a Sailun S637 which is significantly lower cost than a GY.

I see a bunch out there on these Sailun G670 tires for 5vers (smaller diameters) but not much about them for MH's.

Is this a practical tire for a MH spare? Any big issues with running an odd tire for a while until I can replace something in kind if I lost a GY G670 assuming same load range?

Do these tires work well permanently mounted?

Would appreciate some outside thinking guidance here about this.

Thanks
Rascal

Anything will work for a spare and I was able to purchase two Hankooks and have them mounted right on the the NY State thruway this past summer for a very good price. While you're paying for a name, I would question the GY 670's as a contender and while you're losing so many tires, are you providing enough air in them and at least 10psi above what the inflation chart is calling for and according to the axle weights of your coach. After that, all you can hope for, is avoiding a road hazard of some sort.

[americanrascal]

Thanks all --a lot of good info here. Now shopping and we'll see what turns up

[GrandpaLarry777]

Frank,

I understand your thinking about buying a less expensive tire for your spare. You also state that you aren't sure that you will buy new Goodyear tires when time comes for replacement.

Remember that RV tires typically "time" out before they "wear" out. Because of this, your spare will be aging away while it is in storage in your MH. True, if it isn't exposed to UV light and the elements it won't age as fast but you really don't want to get into a situation where you have tires of different age running on your rig.

Because of this, I agree that you should go with a less expensive alternative to the GY RV670 for your spare. As I am unfamiliar with the brand of tire you mention, I can't say how they will hold up long term. You might want to check out other brands such as Hankook or similar as they can be considerably less expensive that GY yet they are well known and widely used for RVs and Big Rigs. I personally run Hankook A12s in 275/70/22.5 on my Class A. Great tires and much less expensive than GY...an no, I don't have a spare.

[frankdamp]

My 02 Georgetown came with a spare wheel and mounted tire. It matched the original GY tires on the rig when we bought it. They were all 9 years old at the time.

I replaced the six that touched the pavement as soon as we got the RV, but the spare had never been used, so I left it alone. It never got used in the four years we owned the RV either.

[phillyg]

I say find a cheapie tire of the same size and hope you'll never have to use it. I can tell you from experience that changing a tire of that size on the road (thinking of your Alaska trip) is no fun. If you have a road service contract it's a lot quicker getting back on the road if you have a spare on hand for the tech.

[bluwtr49]

I don't know about your MH but the wheels on mine are different between front and rear and the inside vs. outside on the duals. So, if were to carry a spare it would need to be unmounted. Unmounted also has the benefit being a lot lighter without the wheel.

[americanrascal]

John Wayne wrote:
The only time you'd have to worry about diameter is if your flat was one of the duals. Front tire flat wouldn't be a problem. So if your flat was on a dual axle put the smaller diameter tire on the front and take the front and put it at the dual flat location.
Then if you had to buy a new tire it would be on the front to replace the smaller spare. The new tire could have a larger diameter depending on how many miles the duals had on them when you had to replace it.

Thanks John- that works

[John_Wayne]

The only time you'd have to worry about diameter is if your flat was one of the duals. Front tire flat wouldn't be a problem. So if your flat was on a dual axle put the smaller diameter tire on the front and take the front and put it at the dual flat location.
Then if you had to buy a new tire it would be on the front to replace the smaller spare. The new tire could have a larger diameter depending on how many miles the duals had on them when you had to replace it.

[americanrascal]

JimM68 wrote:
It's possible I haven't been paying attention, but I'm not aware of any fivers using 19.5 inch tires?

For a temporary spare, the important thing is the diameter. Measure your existing tires, and shop local truck tire shops to find a used tire that is close to the same diameter and not any wider. That will serve as your unmounted spare. Coachnet and other road service companies will be happy to mount this tire in an emergency.

Unless your motorhome has a place to mount it, I would not consider a mounted spare, too heavy.

Yes you are correct, but I have seen Sailun S637's referred to in smaller size being used on 5vers.

I did get a used wheel for this but don't really want to go down the used tire road. All that said I'd like to save a buck with a new tire for a spare that might never be used. I have not seen any info yet on overall difference in outside diameter (or revolutions per mile) looking at different makes so i am hoping they are all pretty close.

[americanrascal]

Effy wrote:
Since you plan on buying an exact replacement anyway, why would you buy a different tire, and then buy the replacement also. Why not just carry the replacement? You're not going to save any noticeable weight, time or effort in swapping them and you would certainly spend more money buying 2 tires instead of one. Am I missing something?

Haven't totally convinced myself to go with Goodyears down the road- they sure are pricey. The Goodyears are brand new now and I only want a spare at the moment. I expect all the tires (new spare included ) to age out about the same time.

[wa8yxm]

You can use a low-rent spare so long as it's the same size.. Just remember SPARE, Low Rent, Get ye to a tire dealer for a proper replacement only use.

In fact,, Many cars were shipped with "Donut" spares,, sure fit that description.

[JimM68]

It's possible I haven't been paying attention, but I'm not aware of any fivers using 19.5 inch tires?

For a temporary spare, the important thing is the diameter. Measure your existing tires, and shop local truck tire shops to find a used tire that is close to the same diameter and not any wider. That will serve as your unmounted spare. Coachnet and other road service companies will be happy to mount this tire in an emergency.

Unless your motorhome has a place to mount it, I would not consider a mounted spare, too heavy.

[darsben]

Effy wrote:
I wouldn't buy a tire, spare or otherwise that wasn't rated for your MH. And it's probably not good to mix brands if you don't have to. Since you plan on buying an exact replacement anyway, why would you buy a different tire, and then buy the replacement also. Why not just carry the replacement? You're not going to save any noticeable weight, time or effort in swapping them and you would certainly spend more money buying 2 tires instead of one. Am I missing something?

If the guy is lucky and takes care of his tires the spare will probably never see the ground. It would be a shame to spend big bucks just in case. I understand his thinking