Spare wheel , gel or just breakdown service

[Coolcats]

and if the breakdown cover the driver has in place has clauses similar to #17?

Then you have a Duff breakdown contract, the reality is probably its a throwback to the 'old days' and no one has removed the wording.

 

[Gellyneck]

The Future is here, the future is now and most new vehicles do not have a spare. whether an individual feels they 'need' one is an emotional choice

Not an emotional choice for me but a practical one.
If you're comfortable without a spare so be it but I, for practical reasons, always carry one.

 

[Coolcats]

Not an emotional choice for me but a practical one.
If you're comfortable without a spare so be it but I, for practical reasons, always carry one.

I have at least 4 vehicles without a spare.......I am not going to try and retrofit just chill be happy and if the worst happens I will get the concierge to come and do the do

 

[Gellyneck]

Then you have a Duff breakdown contract, the reality is probably its a throwback to the 'old days' and no one has removed the wording.

and therein lies the reason I raised the point in #7 that you "challenged". I thought it useful to point this out to other Funsters who may not have been aware of this potential issue but seems I was wrong to do so.

 

[SpeedyDux]

I have at least 4 vehicles without a spare.......I am not going to try and retrofit just chill be happy and if the worst happens I will get the concierge to come and do the do

If it happens to your Hymercar on a French Autoroute you might be less chilled. Different rules apply.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Coolcats]

Not an emotional choice for me but a practical one.
If you're comfortable without a spare so be it but I, for practical reasons, always carry one.

Should add there are many both men and women who would not attempt to change a wheel, I certainly do not want my wife changing the wheel I value her too much. She is more than capable of changing a wheel but why would I want her doing this.

 

[Gellyneck]

I have at least 4 vehicles without a spare.......I am not going to try and retrofit just chill be happy and if the worst happens I will get the concierge to come and do the do

As I said previously I have zero vehicles without a spare. Even used to carry a spare inner tube when cycling!

 

[Coolcats]

If it happens to your Hymercar on a French Autoroute you might be less chilled. Different rules apply.

I suspect different rules apply in every country as does driver behaviour and the HymerCar and others are also available in France without a spare wheel

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Hello, Mr belt and braces here, I carry a spare wheel, but also a can of goo glue. Goo glue for a quick roadside fix [ if possible] and a spare for a permanent fix when a safe working place can be found. I purchased a spare wheel bag of EBlay. Normally we have the spare lassoed in the garage to the floor and back wall. When space and payload become an issue the wheel in the bag is brought forward to cabin area and lassoed to the back of the passenger seat, or just laid flat on the floor area space where our removable table would normally live.
Mike.

 

[DDJC]

Spare wheel. In the garage. Decent jack and big torque wrench in the tool bag.
I would love to find a way to move the spare forward, but I've rummaged around underneath and I can't see enough space. Currently 215 70 R17, but looking to go up to 225 70 R17.

Any ideas?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Gellyneck]

Should add there are many both men and women who would not attempt to change a wheel, I certainly do not want my wife changing the wheel I value her too much. She is more than capable of changing a wheel but why would I want her doing this.

Now that is a completely different point you're making from your previous challenge around breakdown company t&c's.

I didn't say the driver must change the wheel themself. In fact it was the opposite, just be aware when you call out your breakdown company there could be a potential issue if you don't have a spare.

 

[Coolcats]

Now that is a completely different point you're making from your previous challenge around breakdown company t&c's.

I didn't say the driver must change the wheel themself. In fact it was the opposite, just be aware when you call out your breakdown company there could be a potential issue if you don't have a spare.

Of course there may be an issue, they could be busy I may have to wait a few hours etc etc Some people find that there spare is no longer inflated or its illegal as its bald (happens) if buts and maybes.

If you have Gel and a minor puncture its quickly fixed and your on your way unless your on the Motorway in which case the Highway Code and common sense says don't do it.

Spare wheels are a thing of the past...and Breakdown companies know this

 

[Gellyneck]

Of course there may be an issue, they could be busy I may have to wait a few hours etc etc Some people find that there spare is no longer inflated or its illegal as its bald (happens) if buts and maybes.

If you have Gel and a minor puncture its quickly fixed and your on your way unless your on the Motorway in which case the Highway Code and common sense says don't do it.

Spare wheels are a thing of the past...and Breakdown companies know this

Some people find that there spare is no longer inflated or its illegal as its bald (happens) if buts and maybes.

Again, a different point. Any driver worth their salt will ensure safety items are in operable \ safe condition. I always check the spare when checking the running wheels.

If you have Gel and a minor puncture its quickly fixed and your on your way unless your on the Motorway in which case the Highway Code and common sense says don't do it.

and if I've got a spare I can quickly change it myself if I feel safe to do so (yes agreed not Red Bull pit stop standard!) but in say 15-20 minutes on the car. Gel has severe limitations in respect of what can be repaired at roadside whereas a spare doesn't.

Each to their own though as I've said in relation to carrying a spare or not or if to call your breakdown company. Just be aware of some t&c's.

 

[Stoosal]

A can of goo will not fix a hole in a sidewall of a tyre. Nor will any tyre fitter. Only thing is to replace tyre. Most breakdown policies require that a suitable wheel/tyre or a can of goo is available to replace or repair the punctured tyre. A can of goo is not suitable if it cannot be used to repair the fault. Whilst they may assist in getting you to somewhere that can repair or replace the tyre you will likely be liable for those costs as the policy won’t cover it.

 

[Landy Andy]

Thats not the issue as you won't be changing that wheel on a Motorway or at least you need to consider the value of your life and others just get out the vehicle and get behind the barrier, help will be along soon.

Rule 277 HighwayCode

• DO NOT attempt repairs on your vehicle
• DO NOT place a warning triangle on the carriageway
• animals MUST be kept in the vehicle or, in an emergency, under control on the verge.

It’s not there just for me to change it. If a recovery comes out, they will change it, or if you don’t have a spare then organise a more dedicated vehicle to recover something the size of a motorhome with large overhang. That all takes time, and that is time in danger potentially.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[cyberyacht]

You would have thought with the advances in technology, they would have devised a "multi density" solid rubber tyre by now.

 

[SteveRallye]

I always carry a spare, even though I have had the puncture safe gel put in at the last Malvern show. Even though my M/H did come with a compressor kit, I have seen tyres go and they sometimes blow out good style so I decided to err on the side of caution and buy a spare wheel thru the dealer. All my previous M/Hs came with the spare, even the caravans. Even the guy who fitted the tyre gel said it would not be any good if the sidewall is damaged. Yes it is a big lump (30kgs) and I even thought about the weight saving but unless you have been stuck on a dangerously busy motorway in this country, you will never know how time consuming and dangerous it is. And the issues abroad can be more complicated especially if you are stuck on a toll road.

 

[Guigsy]

My new van is pretty stubby and only has a couple of tiny outside lockers. It's a Fiat chassis and the space for the spare wheel behind the rear axle isn't currently occupied. I'd really like to fit an underslung gas tank to free up the gas locker to gain some precious locker space. But the only space under the van that isn't filled with water tanks is that spare wheel well. So do I carry a spare wheel, or get a locker so I don't have to carry folding chairs inside? I'm probably going to get the underslung gas tank.

 

[Stealaway]

A can of goo will not fix a hole in a sidewall of a tyre. Nor will any tyre fitter. Only thing is to replace tyre. Most breakdown policies require that a suitable wheel/tyre or a can of goo is available to replace or repair the punctured tyre. A can of goo is not suitable if it cannot be used to repair the fault. Whilst they may assist in getting you to somewhere that can repair or replace the tyre you will likely be liable for those costs as the policy won’t cover it.

Can you tell me where you have seen that statement
Surely they are contracted to provide assistance to all and every breakdown - no matter what the circumstance's.
Even it in involves a recover truck.

 

[Puddleduck]

If you're thinking of dumping your spare check with your breakdown company as some stipulate they'll only attend a puncture breakdown if you have a spare.

How is that possible with most new vehicles not having a spare ?

The clause in ours says "if supplied with a spare according to the manufacturer / converters standard equipment". We have a spare in the car (and have used it) and carry a tyre in the van as it was supplied only with a can of gunk. The spare wheel in the car was an extra as it's wheel chair converted and the spare is an optional extra from the converter.

I told the breakdown people when renewing breakdown cover that the van didn't have a spare but I had obtained a spare tyre and they said if I ever needed to I should report the puncture and tell them I had a tyre so they could send out a truck with equipment to change the tyre.

Obviously no good if the wheel rim is damaged but better that just a can of gunk.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Viennese]

It's another thing to worry about like the un'safe' motorways I have been travelling on recently. My car does not have a spare wheel, only some goo. I will have to check my breakdown policy to ensure I can call them out if I get a puncture!

 

[Stealaway]

On Sunday we retuned from another five weeks tour of Europe
On the way back up the M1 I calculated that this will be the eleventh year and almost 100,00 mile that I have not carried - or needed a spare wheel in my motorhome.

Am I on a wing and a prayer or just being sensible?

 

[Guigsy]

It's another thing to worry about like the un'safe' motorways I have been travelling on recently. My car does not have a spare wheel, only some goo. I will have to check my breakdown policy to ensure I can call them out if I get a puncture!

If you breakdown on a busy road without a hard shoulder, you aren't going to be changing it or using tyre goop anyway.

In my former life as a civil engineer, I had motorway training to be allowed to stop and inspect kit. It's a bloody dangerous place. We had to wear hard hats and glasses for the risk of flying debris (including yellow bottles). If you stop, get out of the vehicle on the side nearest the kerb smart'ish. Stand behind a barrier if you can. If there's no barrier, get out of the carriageway as much as you can, go upstream of the vehicle and stay alert. If your vehicle gets punted by a passing truck wandering into your lane, it can wipe you out if you are standing beyond the vehicle as there's nowhere to go. It won't provide protection.

 

[WESTY66]

Spare wheel every time, My last blow out (in car) was on the motorway, in the dark/winter, hit some debris flicked up by a van in front, hard shoulder changed wheel and onwards with the journey. Wouldn’t like to have sat there with no spare!! Would change the wheel on the van wherever it was, (prob not on a smart motorway unless there was help in attendance),
Hi-Viz on, Head torch on if it was dark, hydraulic jacks down, cordless impact socket gun out, wheel just inside garage, prob would take me a couple of minutes, then again I’m a younger generation of motorhomer, relatively fit and agile, and I do appreciate a lot on here unable to do such a task

 

[Coolcats]

Can you tell me where you have seen that statement
Surely they are contracted to provide assistance to all and every breakdown - no matter what the circumstance's.
Even it in involves a recover truck.

Exactly, they won't leave you stranded. The RAC kindly took my vehicle back to the factory for the new tyre and me to a local hire company for a courtesy vehicle. I paid for a pair of new rear tyres

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

Would never travel without a spare had too many punchers to remember, this the first Motorhome I've not had one in. Had one in the car this year.

A lot of people don't realise if you have a puncture on a heavy vehicle like a Motorhome you only need to drive 50 or so yard with the pressure really low to wreck the tyre. It's not obvious you need to take the tyre off and check the inside if there are small beads of rubber inside the tyre has over heated and not safe.

If a tyre needs replacing in France or Spain they need to be the same on the same axle so if you don't have spare you will have to buy two, as unlikely to get a matching one at short notice.

 

[Coolcats]

Spare wheel every time, My last blow out (in car) was on the motorway, in the dark/winter, hit some debris flicked up by a van in front, hard shoulder changed wheel and onwards with the journey. Wouldn’t like to have sat there with no spare!! Would change the wheel on the van wherever it was, (prob not on a smart motorway unless there was help in attendance),
Hi-Viz on, Head torch on if it was dark, hydraulic jacks down, cordless impact socket gun out, wheel just inside garage, prob would take me a couple of minutes, then again I’m a younger generation of motorhomer, relatively fit and agile, and I do appreciate a lot on here unable to do such a task

Maybe the older generation can change wheels but also understand the Highwaycode in relation to attempting to make repairs on a Motorway I suspect the penalties such as points on a licence or worse (Death) can apply to all

 

[NicandJay]

We carry a spare tyre only (yes no wheel). To carry a jack good enough to lift our 4250kg moho on one corner plus axle stands plus wheel and then have the possibility of a puncture on the 50% of tyres on the offside isn't to us worth the hassle, weight or risk to life. Car no problems would change every time. Moho... let breakdown service I pay for do their job. But to assist we carry a spare tyre

 

[Bailey58]

Had a run flat tyre on the car recently with a nail in it which resulted in a replacement, or two as it happened as like Coolcats I replace both on the axle. £450 later I kept the good one as a spare which I may stick in the boot for our trip to Denmark next year, just in case!

Just remembered that the front and rear tyres are a different size so it's 50/50 whether carrying that spare will do me any good!

 

[Stoosal]

Can you tell me where you have seen that statement
Surely they are contracted to provide assistance to all and every breakdown - no matter what the circumstance's.
Even it in involves a recover truck.

My policy states under exclusions (not every word but...)
“Costs incurred where a wheel is not able to be replaced by a serviceable spare wheel”......ie they may indeed assist you but, as I stated, you may be liable for any costs with transporting you to a suitable repairer as they are unable to repair at the roadside due to no serviceable wheel.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}