Spare tyres

Kiwibound eventually · Newbie

Spare tyres

Dunmowin · Guru

Welcome Kiwibound

You should ensure that your tow and tug have compatible wheels. if you have one spare on the tug and two on the tow, you should be covered - that is our plan anyway.

-- Edited by Dunmowin on Sunday 26th of September 2010 09:27:33 PM

Kiwibound eventually · Newbie

Thank you for your advice - unfortunately the Nissan has bigger wheels than the caravan.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Dunmowin, we did that when we had the off-road trailer, but its just not possible to match the wheels on the Prado to the Jayco van either.

And now we are in the same position as Kiwibound. Yes it would be nice to have extra spares when needed... but where to stow them? Roof rack on the tug?

Will wait for comments from those who have done/still doing the trip. Thanks.

VHW · Senior Member

Have been around Oz several times over many years with different RV's, never had a problem with non compatible tyres/wheels between tug and van etc, and only the standard one spare for each.

More important to keep your tyre pressures right and inspect tyres & rims for wear/cracks, check wheel nuts now and then on both etc, Never had a blowout or puncture either, so maybe just lucky. I would like to add that I don't go offroad except for nearby roadside stops etc. Travel on mostly blacktop but occasional gravel road.

-- Edited by VHW on Sunday 26th of September 2010 10:53:51 PM

blaze · Guru

We head off in january, in the last two years I have done about 20000km in out back aust, places like gunbarrel highway etc. I always carry 2 spares but have never needed them. When I leave this time I will carry 2 tug spares, one van spare with a case (unmounted tyre) on the roof rack. Always carry tyre changing gear and a quality compressor.
cheers
blaze

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

The best advise is to have the skills and tools to fix tyres yourself.
It is not rocket science and will save you a great deal of grief (not to mention money) if you run out of spares. Carrying cases is lighter than complete wheels.
If you intend to venture very far off the black top, I would strongly recommend having common wheels and tyres on the tug and van and this should influence van choice. Having little wheels under a dirt road van is a bad idea.
Then make sure that you run good quality tyres (nothing manufactured more than 5 years ago) at the lowest pressure relevent to the speeds travelled and loads carried.

Cheers,
Peter

Cupie · Guru

I don't believe that the Jayco Sterling is designed for off road, so I assume that you will be sticking to sealed roads. (there maybe a soft roader verion that may slightly alter the situation though). Nor do I believe that will be easily able to match the Jayco wheels to the Patrol as you have said.

If that is the case then the advice re age of tyres and pressures becomes relevant. Both manufactures will specify these pressures. My 21'6" Jayco has the recommended tyre pressure on the compliance plate. My Patrol has its recommendations on the glove box door (including loaded & unloaded pressures). I have followed both age & pressure guidelines & in 12 yrs & >180,000km of towing (on bitumen) have only had two punctures.

I carry only one spare for each and a small <$100 compressor, plus a puncture repair kit that has not been used. When I get a puncture I sit down & have a cup of coffee and then change to the spare. I have always left the repairs to the pros at the next town. If you are bogged or have mechanical problems, assuming that your rig is in a safe place, it is always best to wait a bit before solving the proble (advice courtesy of Jack Absolom).

I think that an important factor is your driving habits. I stay well inside the speed limits at around 90-95Km/hr.
With a properly set up van ie. weight dist hitch adjusted correctly, not overloaded 4WD or van & measured ball weight you will be able to avoid excess stress on your running gear.

On narrow roads (ie not enough width for you both to pass while remaining on the bitumen) -
Be on the lookout for the quality of the road edges and for oncoming or passing traffic, especially trucks, so that if you have to get off or partially off the bitumen, you can do so without damaging the tyre walls.
If you are driving conservately then you wil be more likely to have time to slow right down and choose your spot to gently get off the road, coming to a complete stop if necessary.
Flash your lights & put on your blinker as early as possible to signal your attention (ie when the other vehicle first comes into sight). Helps avoid windscreen damage too, if the oncoming or passing vehicle stays completely on that bitumen. However if they get off first , you stay with all wheels on if you can.

Hope this helps.

ps.. Try to avoid running the tyres over roadkill especially the aged stuff. Splintered bodes are great for staking tyres.

-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 27th of September 2010 07:48:48 AM

ozi2 · Guru

G'day Kiwibound and welcome, I think all posts have been very informative and the comments of Cupie cover just about everything you need to know/follow to tow safely in the conditions you can expect to experience.
Does the Jayco Sterling have dual axles? ( then one spare is fine with capacity to repair temporarily and then replace as Cupie suggests asap)
If forced to replace a tyre try to choose a safe place if circumstances allow and make use of vehicles warning lights etc and chock wheels to prevent movement by passing transports.
I would add a set of wheel bearings for your caravan as it is an area that can cause problems.
Have a safe journey,
Ozi2

ozjohn · Guru

Biggest killer of tyres is under inflation.
I more than 40 years of vanning I've only ever had one puncture on a van and that was a nail whislt backing onto a site in a van park.
Note: the tyre pressure figure on the Jayco Compliance Plate is for an unladen van. Add more air.
"Better to wear them out than blow them out"
ozjohn

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Thank you everybody for your thoughtful and informative advice!! smile

Yes, have repair kit and compressor.... and know how to use them.

We havent had a puncture yet either, but would rather be prepared just for peace of mind.

Galloping Gazza · Veteran Member

Welcome kiwibound eventually... we bought a new Nissan Patrol and then bought a second spare wheel and tyre off ebay and was a quarter of the price saved hundreds we had our second for the patrol mounted on a rear protection bar fitted by TJM.... mainly Just to be sure... and a second spare for our van (mounted at back of van beside first spare) cause they were not the same size... we also have apuncture repair kit and compressor ... all is good.. happy travels... smile

-- Edited by Galloping Gazza on Monday 27th of September 2010 04:39:35 PM

jimricho · Guru

ozjohn wrote:

Biggest killer of tyres is under inflation.

Also over-inflation on unsealed roads, especially the hard rocky roads such as around Birdsville or the Plenty Highway. Those who regurlarly drive those roads recommend 28 - 30 psi. It cost me several tyres before I heeded this advice.

Make sure you re-inflate to normal highway pressures before resuming normal highway speeds on the black stuff however.

-- Edited by jimricho on Monday 27th of September 2010 08:43:21 PM

PeterD · Guru

The short answer is to look where you are travelling - road surface types and how much passing traffic there is. You only need 2 spares if you intend to travel places like the Birdsville track or Gibb River Road, although it is becoming less necessary on these tracks.

The other thing is the number of vehicles using the road each day and how far to the nearest service. On the better roads it is rare to blow a tyre. It is even rarer to do two tyres. If you do have the misfortune to do two tyres and if there is are several vehicles passing each day, then you can solicit assistance. Always send your request for assistance in written form and you should get results.

GrumpyOne · Senior Member

Hey guys n gals,

Am having issues here with spares also, the Ssangyong has the same very unusual stud pattern as the new Porche Cheyanne softroader (9 : 130mm) I have just found out, so its genuine or nothing at the moment.

I was hoping to put the 16" rims with off road tyres on the boat trailer also to give me 6 running wheels and 3 spares, but hey at over $1300 a piece that won't be happening any time soon, especially considering that is just for the rims, the tyres are another $225 each.

Plus the upgrade of the hubs and strengthening/refit of the boat trailer, looks like the boat is gonna be staying at home on the rougher trips....

Cupie hits the nail on the head as usual with Jack Absolom's advice, stop refresh consider the situation and work out a plan of action, providing all is safe and no one is in danger, take your time, like the old adage says, slow and steady wins everytime.

Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumps

Zoomtopz · Guru

After 35yrs on th road I have seen Heaps of cars , trucks , vans , 4X4s & bikes
with flats & blowouts . YOU Don't know where or when it will happen Or if in th
next town somebody can fix it - remember , Ain't no Garages anymore . Just
servo's . Spend 2bob & get another wheel , I had a flimsy 1 wheel spare carrier
on th back of my van , I spent a couple of bucks & had a decent one fitted , that
carries 2 . When I bought my camper-van it had 7:00 X 16s rags . I prefer
7:50 X 16s . But , I found I could not run 750s on steer . Back to 700s on steer
& 750s on back . So 2 750s on spare carrier & 1 700 under th bed . Plus , I can
run 2 750s if I have to on th front , they just run too close to th tie-rod .
I ONLY run tubeless Radials , they run a lot cooler . The only place I have not
taken my van , was out to Jim Jim falls , other than that , I will take it on any
"all weather" road , even tracks I took a tripple Road Train in th Territory .
Richo

Covert Operation · Member

Travel 8 months of the year and only carry the 1 spare. Tow wagon has 16" and caravan 14".
Make sure tyres are not more than 6 years old and plenty of tread. Even if tyres have plenty tread left and 6 years old they get replaced. When travelling check for any cracks or splits. Get under van every couple of weeks and check inside of tyres for damage. Only had 1 puncture on tow wagon and caravan in 10 years.

Carrying two spares is dead weight you cannot afford. You will find it is only idiots that need multiple spares. Idiots from the way they drive or because they dont check their tyres for age and condition prior to leaving and when travelling. Only people that genuinely need 2 spares are the rock and track crawlers.

-- Edited by Covert Operation on Tuesday 28th of September 2010 05:57:22 PM

Zoomtopz · Guru

The only dead weight I carry , is when I'm on the side of the road - Thinking .
If only - Why didn't I etc .
Ok as said - I was on th road for 35yrs , 5 with van - plus 5 more . 40all up .
I still read with interest articles on this forum BECAUSE I don't know it all , yet .
I have not done any caravanning , but as said , with the amount of flats &
blowouts PLUS damaged rims @ bearings over those years , that I have seen .
When I set my van up , I did not want to be one of those on the side of th road .
I got 35k up the road heading to Darwin - blew one of those brand new
7:50 radial @ $265each . I DO NOT consider myself an idiot . I will continue to
carry multiple spares . I will continue to read your posts because you must be
doing something right . I just may learn something from what you have to say.

RnRB · Newbie

We did half a lap last year (16,000km) & carried extra spares for both Landcruiser & the Westport and didn't take either off the roof rack but I'll bet that if we didn't take them we would probably needed them before Port Augusta.
Cheers
RnRB

Kiwibound eventually · Newbie

Fantastic information in here great to hear from people who have actually done it. Thanks

nswoutback · Member

I still get about one puncture per year. Half have been very slow leaks - just leave the tek screw in the tyre til you reach the tyre fitters.

Chances of two flats in the same day (or week) is very unlikely. Much more likely for battery/ starter motor to fail then have two flat tyres

I have carried a spare case (when a long way from home and tyres on last leg)- and that is a low cost option.

If you use busy roads- more then ten vehicles a day, someone will come along and lend you a spare wheel/ tyre.

coyotte · Veteran Member

It's all "Luck of the Draw" I reckon

around this time last year was just arriving home from a trip from Sydney -- Port Perrie --- Darwin -- Cooks Town and return via East Coast.

one spare only for Tug & Trailer --- no problems

But had doubled the starting battery's capacity along with a deep cycle battery pak --- all supplied and installed by a lic'd auto-electricians
well no prizes for guessing where all the problems where ---- ELECTRICAL --- heaps

cheers

Coyotte

Ma · Guru

Just completed near on 20,000ks, one spare for each tug and tow. No punctures thankfully and not one ouce of trouble from either in any respect.