Another motorhoming milestone - puncture in France!

[daventess]

Got a screw in my brand new all seasons tyres.

Good job I carry a spa....oh...er...hang on .....

Not to worry. I can't imagine it's too hard to get a travelling tyre fitter the day after a bank holiday to come to a camp site in the middle of nowhere.

Another item in my "no, you really cannot do without this" list of motorhoming necessities...

 

[daventess]

Does anyone just carry a spare tyre? we have a tyre and a wheel and i am thinking of just carrying the tyre to reduce weight,

That would have helped us actually, as getting the tyre is proving the hard part. Someone to come and fit it was not exactly easy and required some negotiation with the breakdown people as they just wanted to tow us.

Stupid thing is, we have 2 spare tyres at home. Sigh, you live and learn...

 

[daventess]

OK, finally sorted (after a fashion).

No chance of getting a mobile tyre fitter, so we had to be low loaded and transported to local tyre place (which didn't even come up on google!) The camp site had never seen so much activity

They only had two unibomber (or whatever they are called) wet weather tyres in my size, so with gritted teeth I had no choice but to accept them (as they wouldn't fit just one).

Sooooo...

does anyone want two hardly used wet weather 225/75/R16 ? They'll be on the market from Friday with only 750 miles on the clock. Original bill of sale included, which may or may not include a guarantee of some sort from a main Nissan dealer cum Eurotyre franchise/kebab shop ...

 

[Phill D]

good to read your now sorted, i dont think i missed this in the thread but, Tyre wall punctures are a tyre write-off! no amount of any type of goo would fix a tyre wall puncture even short term, and it should not be repaired with a plug.

 

[daventess]

good to read your now sorted,

Legal and safe, so I should be glad for that at least. And the breakdown insurance covered the (completely unnecessary!!!) low loader bill of €600 - yes, you heard that right - €600 (this was according to the driver). I still think that can't be right. He took me no more than 5km. Still €430 out of pocket for the tyres though.

Spare wheel - don't leave home without it!

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[PeterCarole29]

We went to Scotland 3 weeks ago. I wasnt going to take a spare wheel because of the weight.
Glad i did we ended up having a screw in the side of the rear drivers side. Fortunately noticed it on a fuel staion forecourt .
So drove round the back changed wheel 15minutes. Carried on to the next industrial estate found a company (Soltyre) in Dunfries
I thought this will cost me an english holiday maker in Scotland .
To my amazement £75 its a budget tyre. Which is now under the van as a spare

 

[PaulOH]

With a bit of thought, such a tyre problem can be solved relatively cheaply but it will be a bit inconvenient and maybe require lateral thinking.

I might have tried to hold the van on a supported axle stand (bought from a nearly motor factor if necessary) to enable the wheel to be removed and brought to a repair shop - even wrapped in a binbag in the boot of a taxi if necessary.

Should they have deemed the tyre unrepairable, then Google translate for 'part-worn' tyres and see if they had any the right size? They often do, and if they didn't then maybe a search of local light commercial vehicle dealers might prove lucky.

I agree it's a lot of faffing and struggling a bit with the lingo instead of enjoying your stay in an area, but when your budgets are tight, needs must, particularly when the OP points out he has two spares at home. I think a spare is essential.

Had the need to use Euromaster on my current trip, they were excellent.

Have to hand it to these guys cos since Easter, I've had three tyres with them - one valve and two repairs - one of them a sidewall fix that they assured me they could fix and did - it's still inflated and on the van - total cost so far €41.

My nearest branch is about 20 minutes walk away and, with three inflated, one rear puncture and a broken valve spare, the saga began by putting the spare onto a child's scooter and walking it to the repair shop, valve changed and back home (via work) to fit it. then did the same with the puncture (which was a pair of tiny, in-line sidewall holes, looked for all the world like a staple or similar - my suspicions lie with my nimby neighbours) thinking I'd have to buy a new tyre - which seems to be an awkward size for some reason.. But no, repair possible, so back home and slung it under the bonnet.

Third flat incurred on the other side, so swapped it for the sidewall repaired wheel and drove it down to a different branch of Euromaster where it was repaired while I worked in an adjacent office.

Fourth flat just incurred last week on the front while parked. Swapped out the new spare at the weekend - a rear tyre has moved to the front. I'll be driving it down in the morning to the same Euromaster as before to get this latest flat repaired while I'm working.

I'll also be asking the Euromaster people to tell me more about the puncture as I'm suspicious of so many punctures happening in such a short time. People who read my posts may know I've had problems with my neighbours who 'don'r like' me parking my van in the streets around my house.

 

[daventess]

I might have tried to hold the van on a supported axle stand (bought from a nearly motor factor if necessary) to enable the wheel to be removed and brought to a repair shop - even wrapped in a binbag in the boot of a taxi

That was exactly my thought, too. I just couldn't find anyone nearby with the right size tyre. I was willing to roll it myself to one or both of the nearby tyre centres once I found out the taxi service only worked weekends, but they had nothing. That made it doubly galling when I only got driven 5km to a Nissan dealer to pay about £100 over the odds and have a black mark on my breakdown cover ...

I am, with therapy, learning to accept this as the universe slapping me for being an idiot

 

[MisterB]

That was exactly my thought, too. I just couldn't find anyone nearby with the right size tyre. I was willing to roll it myself to one or both of the nearby tyre centres once I found out the taxi service only worked weekends, but they had nothing. That made it doubly galling when I only got driven 5km to a Nissan dealer to pay about £100 over the odds and have a black mark on my breakdown cover ...

I am, with therapy, learning to accept this as the universe slapping me for being an idiot

the reality is that you have done lots of people a big favour by sharing your experience. i have been considering removing my spare wheel to reduce weight (along with a few other ways) - your experience has told me i need only to carry the spare tyre BUT only if all five tyres are the same - especially if your experience re they would only fit two tyres is anything to do with mixed tyres (patterns/makes??) on the same axle

so from me, thanks for sharing and youre only an idiot if it happens again !

 

[Pukka]

That tyre should be repairable with a major repair. They use a special patch and then cook the tyre. In Coalville, Leicestershire they is a place called sb tyres that can do the repair. They need the tyre off the rim and the process takes a few days.

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[andyelbac]

Well that's it. I'm definitely going to get a spare wheel (steel), tyre and under chassis wheel carrier for our Burstner in preparation for our first overseas trip next year. I know the extra weight is ok because when we went to the weighbridge after having semi air fitted and fully loaded up (including Scooter in rear garage), I stuck two 15kg bags of compost in the MH right behind the rear axle (where the Ducato spare will sit) and we were well under weight. I know getting the bloody thing out will be difficult with a flat but rather that than sat for days awaiting a new tyre.

 

[daventess]

That tyre should be repairable with a major repair. They use a special patch and then cook the tyre. In Coalville, Leicestershire they is a place called sb tyres that can do the repair. They need the tyre off the rim and the process takes a few days.

Unfortunately, it is in the hands of a local garage now so I won't be able to test that this time around. And I'm hoping there won't be a second round ...

 

[Phill D]

personally I think any one who will put a tyre with a repaired side wall puncture on their motorhome is a braver man than I.
But each to our own, and it’s what allows you to sleep at night.

 

[Lenny HB]

Well that's it. I'm definitely going to get a spare wheel (steel), tyre and under chassis wheel carrier for our Burstner

The way you say that I assume you have alloy wheels, in that case make sure you get the right bolts for the steel wheel they are 2mm shorter. If you have an Al-Ko chassis the the bolts for the alloys will foul on the rear.

 

[PeterCarole29]

the reality is that you have done lots of people a big favour by sharing your experience. i have been considering removing my spare wheel to reduce weight (along with a few other ways) - your experience has told me i need only to carry the spare tyre BUT only if all five tyres are the same - especially if your experience re they would only fit two tyres is anything to do with mixed tyres (patterns/makes??) on the same axle

so from me, thanks for sharing and youre only an idiot if it happens again !

Theres nothing wrong if you can change the wheel for your own spare and its different
In france its only if a company is faced with 2 odd tyres on an axle

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[Puddleduck]

Does anyone just carry a spare tyre? we have a tyre and a wheel and i am thinking of just carrying the tyre to reduce weight,

Yes, we do this. No spare supplied with the van. The breakdown people are aware and were happy.

I think if a spare wheel is supplied you need to carry the spare wheel but check the small print of your breakdown cover.

 

[Kayak Kid]

Just completed a 4000 miles tour around EU.
Our motorhome has a 3500kg limit and only came with the manufacturers repair kit and pump.
As a result I have:
a) injected all tyres with “Slime” which seals itself in the event of a puncture ( unless a sidewall tear). I have used it for years on various vehicles (4x4, caravan, motorhome and motorcycle) and in fact have had a couple of punctures which I did not know I had.

b) a ‘plug’ kit as a diy repair.

c) a can of repair foam to inject and re inflate a tyre.

c) a spare tyre of the same type as on the vehicle - not the wheel to save on weight).

Whilst it may be that a breakdown company cannot change the tyre at the roadside, if I have to be towed to a garage, at least I have the correct replacement tyre and don’t need to wait days for the right one or have to buy two tyres to allow the same tyres on that axle.

The first 3 items take up no space/ weight at all but all 4 options are there to try to avoid a lengthy or frustrating time should the worst happen.

In my previous motorhome where I could carry a full spare wheel and tyre I still had the other options available.

 

[DPM111R]

I got a screw in the tyre of our new van in the first 30 miles after collecting it - fortunately it only caused a slow puncture and was repaired with a plug by Kwikfit. Keeping my fingers crossed that I'm luckier in future

 

[MisterB]

Has anyone else fitted 'slime' or similar themselves?
Kayak Kid seems to have most options covered with their solution(s) - I was thinking of doing the same. Just need to check to make sure the spare tyre is the same as all the others.
I did buy a tyre repair kit some years ago but no idea where I've put it!! I think it's with all the other very important things you buy when you get your first motorhome!

 

[Mad Manx]

As you’ll all know, some tyres are unidirectional, meaning they have a tread pattern that necessitates them being fitted to the wheel in a specific direction. If you are carrying one of these on a spare wheel, you’ll only have a 50% chance of it being on the right way round, so a careful trip to the nearest tyre workshop would be in order to get it fitted the right way round.

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[Phill D]

Has anyone else fitted 'slime' or similar themselves?
Kayak Kid seems to have most options covered with their solution(s) - I was thinking of doing the same. Just need to check to make sure the spare tyre is the same as all the others.
I did buy a tyre repair kit some years ago but no idea where I've put it!! I think it's with all the other very important things you buy when you get your first motorhome!

I did this for several years no issues with balance or when the tyres came to replacement.
I now have a spare wheel with non directional tyres fitted.
Although I would have no problem putting a directional spare on if that’s all I had.

 

[Gillygrim]

I've told of my experience on the forum previously but as this is specifically about punctures I feel OK repeating it. In 2019 we started for Newhaven and had a puncture on the dual carriageway about half an hour from the port. Called breakdown and got underway fairly quickly. Once we'd arrived in Antibes (crossed fingers all the way as we now didn't have a spare) I got in touch with Sailun France and they delivered a new tyre to Feu Vert who changed it for our old spare which was still good. On our way back to UK later, we'd just gone through Avignon on the A6 when there was an almighty bang, van slewed across the motorway, ended up half on the hard shoulder and half across lane 1. Absolutely impossible to move to safety so hi vis jackets on and warning triangle out, I ran back to the emergency phone while John and 9yr old great grandson waited on the shoulder - unable to get behind the barrier due to the sheer drop behind it ! By the time I got back to the van the breakdown chap was already there, trying unsuccessfully to winch the van on his lorry. Turns out the tread had completely detached from the tyre and wrapped round the suspension leg. Poor chap bravely got under the van ON THE MOTORWAY and had to hacksaw the rubber off before putting the spare on. We then drove in convoy on the hard shoulder to the next exit.
Two things I didn't know - Warning triangles must not be used
on French motorways, and Non French breakdown cannot attend on motorways. The vehicle has to be recovered to a safe place off the Mway to meet the foreign breakdown service. I drove the rest of the way home without using Mways, at no more than 40mph and once home we part exd the much loved van for our current one. I would point out that the tyres in question had done no more than 5,000 miles but had been sitting for several months.

 

[daventess]

personally I think any one who will put a tyre with a repaired side wall puncture on their motorhome is a braver man than I.
But each to our own, and it’s what allows you to sleep at night.

Must say I tend to agree, though that's an opinion formed through ignorance of how tyres are fixed.

 

[Nyvern]

Has anyone else fitted 'slime' or similar themselves?
Kayak Kid seems to have most options covered with their solution(s) - I was thinking of doing the same. Just need to check to make sure the spare tyre is the same as all the others.
I did buy a tyre repair kit some years ago but no idea where I've put it!! I think it's with all the other very important things you buy when you get your first motorhome!

When I bought my new van the dealer offered to put some sort "slime' in the wheels to help in case of puncture. I forgot the name. 4 years later my alloy wheels started leaking due to corrosion by the 'slime' around the brass valves and the alloy. I had to replace 3 wheels. Not nice...

 

[Nyvern]

When I bought my new van the dealer offered to put some sort "slime' in the wheels to help in case of puncture. I forgot the name. 4 years later my alloy wheels started leaking due to corrosion by the 'slime' around the brass valves and the alloy. I had to replace 3 wheels. Not nice...

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[gus-lopez]

then Google translate for 'part-worn' tyres and see if they had any the right size? They often do, and if they didn't then maybe a search of l

Or a scrap yard

 

[Minxy]

As you’ll all know, some tyres are unidirectional, meaning they have a tread pattern that necessitates them being fitted to the wheel in a specific direction. If you are carrying one of these on a spare wheel, you’ll only have a 50% chance of it being on the right way round, so a careful trip to the nearest tyre workshop would be in order to get it fitted the right way round.

That's the only time I can think of when not having the tyre on a wheel rim might be beneficial however I suppose having a 50% chance of it being correct probably beats that.

 

[Googlebot]

good to read your now sorted, i dont think i missed this in the thread but, Tyre wall punctures are a tyre write-off! no amount of any type of goo would fix a tyre wall puncture even short term, and it should not be repaired with a plug.

I thought that too and shoved the goo in anyway, it worked and got me home to the spare tyre. I have no idea how it worked, but it did, was a hole caused by a pothole as well so even worse but it sealed.

 

[andyelbac]

The way you say that I assume you have alloy wheels, in that case make sure you get the right bolts for the steel wheel they are 2mm shorter. If you have an Al-Ko chassis the the bolts for the alloys will foul on the rear.

Thanks for the heads up. Yes, I have alloys and see no reason to waste money on a spare alloy when the steel will be cheaper and lighter. Will make a note to buy the correct spare bolts. Thankfully I dont have an Al-Ko chassis.

 

[daventess]

Thanks for the heads up. Yes, I have alloys and see no reason to waste money on a spare alloy when the steel will be cheaper and lighter. Will make a note to buy the correct spare bolts. Thankfully I dont have an Al-Ko chassis.

I would have thought an alloy wheel would be lighter than a steel one. Is that not the case? My thought is based on nothing more than ignorance ...

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[Lenny HB]

I would have thought an alloy wheel would be lighter than a steel one. Is that not the case? My thought is based on nothing more than ignorance ...

Normally alloys are a couple of kilos lighter but it does depend on the wheel.