Weight restriction means no spare wheel -Rapido 9048df

[Tony54]

Hi All,

This is my second question for the day so hopefully we can get some solutions to lack of a spare wheel.
Our MH is restricted to 3500 because we are around 70 and dont want to do the bi annual tests etc. Because we like to take our two bikes with us we will find it hard to fit a spare wheel and meet the weight restriction. I've read on here that some people just carry a spare wheel but surely they will have to drive to a garage to get it fitted and wouldn't most tyre garages carry tyres for Mhomes. One idea I had was to carry a can of aero spray weld and use that if we get a punture. I see Halfords sell Holts tyre weld which can only be used on tyres of 17in...... so not suitable for our MH.
If I could find a spray that is suitable for our tyres then this would be a suitable remedy for a lack of a spare wheel. Has anyone tried this and does it work?
Thanks
Tony

• 
  

 

[Kevan]

https://www.puncturesafe.com/

got it in all my vehicles including car transporter

 

[Hettie's Crew]

We had a similar product called Protex a few years ago though had to have it taken out of a Discovery we had due to wheel imbalance. The tyres on the Discovery had moulding ridges that trapped the fluid movement. It was fine in other vehicles, depends on your tyres.
I think tyreweld stuff is a waste of time unless you are prior warned of the puncture so it doesn’t go too low and result in a blowout.
Fitting Tyrepal would warn you before it’s too late and possibly allow a repair.
You could also go many years without ever having a puncture, though we’ve had two in the last 11 months on our car.

 

[Tony54]

Hi Kevin, Thanks for the reply and link. It seems to be just the ticket. How does one know when you have sufficient liquid in the tyre and do you have to deflate the tyre a little before putting the liquid in. I'm sure the instruction will suggest how to do it though.
Thanks again
Tony

 

[Tony54]

Liz y Tim,
Thanks for the reply. There are always little problems with new technology. I suppose I could check with the tyre manufacturer about its use, but would expect a negative answer .Could also try it in one wheel first and see how it goes. I read about someone who put similiar stuff in a bicicle wheel and it caused a slow leak in the valve but there again Kevin seem to have had no problems with it. I'm tempted to try it in one wheel and see how it goes.
Thanks again
Tony

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[Kevan]

Hi Kevin, Thanks for the reply and link. It seems to be just the ticket. How does one know when you have sufficient liquid in the tyre and do you have to deflate the tyre a little before putting the liquid in. I'm sure the instruction will suggest how to do it though.
Thanks again
Tony

All the instructions are there best way put a jack under motorhome let the tyre down so that its not sitting on the rim, put in amount that you require, then pump up again, if you go to any of the shows, they have people come round and do it for you, saves the hassle

 

[peterc10]

Hi All,

This is my second question for the day so hopefully we can get some solutions to lack of a spare wheel.
Our MH is restricted to 3500 because we are around 70 and dont want to do the bi annual tests etc. Because we like to take our two bikes with us we will find it hard to fit a spare wheel and meet the weight restriction. I've read on here that some people just carry a spare wheel but surely they will have to drive to a garage to get it fitted and wouldn't most tyre garages carry tyres for Mhomes. One idea I had was to carry a can of aero spray weld and use that if we get a punture. I see Halfords sell Holts tyre weld which can only be used on tyres of 17in...... so not suitable for our MH.
If I could find a spray that is suitable for our tyres then this would be a suitable remedy for a lack of a spare wheel. Has anyone tried this and does it work?
Thanks
Tony

I think calling them bi-annual tests may be overstating things. All you need do is get a doctor to ask you a series of medical questions, a few checks and then an eye test. You need to that every three years.

Our Fiat based 4.5T A class did not come with a spare wheel, just a can of gunk and a tyre pressure gauge and inflator. Last November we had a total tyre failure that no amount of gunk would ever cure. Had to use our recovery insurer to sort it out and the recovery was very difficult even though we were only 6 miles from home. We now have a spare wheel as we do not want that ever again.

The problem with relying upon a local tyre fitter is that in many countries you are not allowed to have different makes or types of tyre on the same axle, so you end up having to buy 2 if the fitter does not have in your make, type and size of tyre.

 

[Two on Tour]

How about just carrying a spare tyre without the wheel, in that way you save some weight but have to hand the correct size tyre for a mobile fitter or tyre centre to fit as it's unlikely they would have one in stock and it gets you back on the road quicker.

 

[Kevan]

Liz y Tim,
Thanks for the reply. There are always little problems with new technology. I suppose I could check with the tyre manufacturer about its use, but would expect a negative answer .Could also try it in one wheel first and see how it goes. I read about someone who put similiar stuff in a bicicle wheel and it caused a slow leak in the valve but there again Kevin seem to have had no problems with it. I'm tempted to try it in one wheel and see how it goes.
Thanks again
Tony

you will never know, how it works, because if you get a puncture it will fix it straight away? so might as well put it in all wheels. pointless doing one, if you get a puncture in one of the others

 

[Mr B]

I can’t comment on the tyre weld stuff as I’ve never used it. But I’ve been in a position where I’ve had a few punctures in a van (not camper)
and to be honest, no tyre weld would not have rescued it...
I think there is 2 other options...
1. Have a full size spare and on the off chance you get stopped for being overweight, lose some water or at worst,, loose the spare
2. As others have said on here, just have a tyre on your van, if s##t happens, the recovery man can simply fit(or have it fitted) on the flat wheel/tyre. That way no one is going to have your pants down on a replacement

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[Hettie's Crew]

Could also try it in one wheel first and see how it goes

We had it fitted by a company called Protex, they deflate the tyre, feed it in through the valve then reinflate. There are a few companies who do the same sort of thing, on enquiry you could mention the possibility of wheel imbalance and have an agreement that they take it out if it was to occur. We were reimbursed by Protex when they took it out of our Discovery. Not sure if Protex is still about but there are other companies.

 

[EX51SSS]

Hi All,

This is my second question for the day so hopefully we can get some solutions to lack of a spare wheel.
Our MH is restricted to 3500 because we are around 70 and dont want to do the bi annual tests etc. Because we like to take our two bikes with us we will find it hard to fit a spare wheel and meet the weight restriction. I've read on here that some people just carry a spare wheel but surely they will have to drive to a garage to get it fitted and wouldn't most tyre garages carry tyres for Mhomes. One idea I had was to carry a can of aero spray weld and use that if we get a punture. I see Halfords sell Holts tyre weld which can only be used on tyres of 17in...... so not suitable for our MH.
If I could find a spray that is suitable for our tyres then this would be a suitable remedy for a lack of a spare wheel. Has anyone tried this and does it work?
Thanks
Tony

• 
  

The problem with carrying no spare, particularly in France, is that they will not mix tyres on the same axle, therefore if you get to a garage (some breakdown services won't recover without a suitable spare tyre) and they don't stock your make, you might have to buy 2 and therefore you've got a spare tyre (but just the tyre). I had 4 new tyres fitted last year as the spare had never used but because I found that out, I had another new tyre as the spare.

 

[Steve and Soz]

For £120 ish, OKO tyre sealants. will come out to you. I saw them at the NEC last year. The product apparently been around since 1978. They put the stuff in and it will prevent deflation and repair many times. However not a major rip or tear! Can be found under Puncturecontrol.Co

 

[Sheddy]

We had a puncture on a French motorway last year, after the safety vans with the flashing warning signs arrived they then allowed the tyre fitter on to do his bit, he had a van full of spare wheels one of which he fitted so that we could get off the motorway, we had a spare tyre (not wheel) but they are not allowed to do roadside repairs.
We followed the fitter to the local depot, where they replaced the unrepairable tyre with our spare which was a different make to the original, I asked the question about different types on the same axle and was advised that as the tyres were the same 'size' c'est bon !
Not sure of the law but that is what happened to us.
Cheers
Ed

 

[Tony54]

Thanks for all the replies, there's quite a bit to think about there.

Ed. A good point if getting a spare tyre, is to match those existing on the MH.
May I ask what the procedure when breaking down on a french motorway, I've always had breakdown insurance and would have just rang the given insurance number. I know one can drive or walk to the next emergency phone on the motorway or does one just call 112. I Know I should know this but I don't.

Funster. I said Iwould put it in one tyre at first just to make sure it doesn't start un balance problem.

It looks on Balance that I will try the aerosol liquid but will also go to a tyre fitter place and see if I can fit a spare in
an under floor cupboard but then this will put up the weight. The other possibility is to look at getting the 3 year licence, and upgrade to 3750 which is quite reasonable to do., maybe its not so drastic as at first seemed.
Thanks a lot again for the advice and stories.

Tony

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[Sheddy]

I know one can drive or walk to the next emergency phone on the motorway or does one just call 112. I Know I should know this but I don't.

I walked up to the nearest phone to find it was knackered, just dial 112 however you will need to know and tell them where you are, so note the marker signs on the central reservation which show the road number and milage location.
Cheers
Ed

 

[jockaneezer]

I used OKO for years in my motorbike tyres and never had a puncture, used a similar product in the pushbike tyres as we were always picking up thorns around here but haven't used it since we've fitted Schwalbe Marathon tyres that have a puncture resistant strip below the tread. Put some in the tyres of our trailed log splitter too as we'd been unable to cure a slow rim leak on one of the wheels.
So in summary, if I had a vehicle that didn't come with a spare wheel, I'd have no hesitation using the preventative gloop, but make sure you tell your tyre fitter when they're replacing your tyres, they don't take kindly to getting sprayed with gunk when they pull the valve core out !
As for fitting it yourself, it's not a bad job if you have access to a proper compressor, doing 4 tyres in a row on a motorhome with a 12 volt compressor isn't recommended.

 

[peterc10]

As I understand it if you break down on a French motorway they will only allow you to be recovered by their recovery agent, and your breakdown insurer will not be allowed to send their own recovery agent. You then have to pay for the recovery and then recover that from your breakdown insurer.

 

[joka250]

I think calling them bi-annual tests may be overstating things. All you need do is get a doctor to ask you a series of medical questions, a few checks and then an eye test. You need to that every three years.

Our Fiat based 4.5T A class did not come with a spare wheel, just a can of gunk and a tyre pressure gauge and inflator. Last November we had a total tyre failure that no amount of gunk would ever cure. Had to use our recovery insurer to sort it out and the recovery was very difficult even though we were only 6 miles from home. We now have a spare wheel as we do not want that ever again.

The problem with relying upon a local tyre fitter is that in many countries you are not allowed to have different makes or types of tyre on the same axle, so you end up having to buy 2 if the fitter does not have in your make, type and size of tyre.

Unfortunately for some of us it's a little more than just a quick check with a doctor. In my case I have not yet reached 70 (not quite) but have had a trial run of the test I have to endure, I failed the first trial passed the second. It was bloody hard work I almost envy 70 year olds who just can just swan in to the doctors and walk out 15 minutes later , pay the £50 and home. If you don't know the full facts keep your inaccurate opinion to yourself.

 

[EX51SSS]

It was bloody hard work I almost envy 70 year olds who just can just swan in to the doctors and walk out 15 minutes later , pay the £50 and home. If you don't know the full facts keep your inaccurate opinion to yourself.

As regards the medical, its not as straightforward as you are suggesting. My Doctor charges £140.00 for my D4 medical but this time I had an eye test at Specsavers and they completed the relevant part and I'm booked in with D4Drivers and it is £50.00 but all medication, all documentation etc to be taken and a good medical examination. Haven't you got grandfather rights for up to 7.5 tonnes? No need for envy if you're considering uprating and @peterc10 wasn't particularly inaccurate

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[peterc10]

Unfortunately for some of us it's a little more than just a quick check with a doctor. In my case I have not yet reached 70 (not quite) but have had a trial run of the test I have to endure, I failed the first trial passed the second. It was bloody hard work I almost envy 70 year olds who just can just swan in to the doctors and walk out 15 minutes later , pay the £50 and home. If you don't know the full facts keep your inaccurate opinion to yourself.

In what way was my opinion inacurate? There was no suggestion that the OP was suffering from any reportable illnesses or disabilities that required further tests, hence my comments. And my comment was in reply to his specific point and his likely position, not yours. Most 70 year olds can get it all sorted out in a half an hour visit. I am sorry if that does not apply to you, but there is no need to be rude.

 

[Dilbert]

Surely if the OP is worrying about the weight of a spare wheel of say 20kilo then about 10 kilo for a jack etc I'd have look at the payload and weight of the van, has it been down rated because of the license requirements .on the tyre changing at least if you change it yourself it takes 30 min rather than wait 4 hours ,then sort out the flat tire at your leisure cheaper too.....

 

[Larrynwin]

Surely if the OP is worrying about the weight of a spare wheel of say 20kilo then about 10 kilo for a jack etc I'd have look at the payload and weight of the van, has it been down rated because of the license requirements .on the tyre changing at least if you change it yourself it takes 30 min rather than wait 4 hours ,then sort out the flat tire at your leisure cheaper too.....

I think a complete spare wheel is around double the 20kg you mention so quite significant with limits on payload.

 

[sweetie]

Unfortunately for some of us it's a little more than just a quick check with a doctor. In my case I have not yet reached 70 (not quite) but have had a trial run of the test I have to endure, I failed the first trial passed the second. It was bloody hard work I almost envy 70 year olds who just can just swan in to the doctors and walk out 15 minutes later , pay the £50 and home. If you don't know the full facts keep your inaccurate opinion to yourself.

I had to have the exercise ECG last year I struggled but retained C on licence.
Not every one when reaching 70 needs the ECG if in good health.
There is no need to come across with an attitude like that @peter10 gives a lot of helpfull information on this site.

 

[EX51SSS]

I had to have the exercise ECG last year I struggled but retained C on licence.
Not every one when reaching 70 needs the ECG if in good health.
There is no need to come across with an attitude like that @peter10 gives a lot of helpfull information on this site.

Totally agree about @peterc10

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[Minxy]

If you don't know the full facts keep your inaccurate opinion to yourself.

Perhaps you need to review the rules of the forum ... especially Rule One?

 

[Lenny HB]

Unfortunately for some of us it's a little more than just a quick check with a doctor. In my case I have not yet reached 70 (not quite) but have had a trial run of the test I have to endure, I failed the first trial passed the second. It was bloody hard work I almost envy 70 year olds who just can just swan in to the doctors and walk out 15 minutes later , pay the £50 and home. If you don't know the full facts keep your inaccurate opinion to yourself.

A rude uncalled for reply.

 

[EX51SSS]

A rude uncalled for reply.

Maybe a trip to Coventry might adjust the attitude? Only saying

 

[Two on Tour]

Maybe a trip to Coventry might adjust the attitude? Only sayingView attachment 214480

There speaks the voice of experience.

 

[Theonlysue]

Have you been to weighbridge?
Anything you don' use in the van that you can take out?