Spare wheels for motorhomes

I’d not travel without a spare wheel so, on our previous MH, mounted one on the towbar which, fortunately, it did have. Weight could be an issue, though, as a wheel, tyre and carrier will add about 50kg to your load, plus a towbar if needed, and more than that to the rear axle loading. As tyres themselves are heavy, I see little point in not having the wheel as well. Roadside assistance will change a wheel for you but it’s unlikely they'd fit a tyre.

PS. Try an internet search or motorhome spare wheel carriers.

Both the Elddis & Autotrail M/H's I have had have a spare wheel & tyre underslung at the rear.....

You can buy the kit on Ebay.......

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Ducato-Motorhome-2015-Spare-Wheel-Hanger-Lift-Winch-Kit-Genuine-71807355-/122537205094?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

Although I have a fixed spare wheel I was advised by the dealer not to attempt to change it myself.

The problem is a common one whilst the solution tends to be specific to the make and model - unless the motorhomers accepts the risk of not carrying a spare [many do judging by comments across the forums].

My spare is lashed down in the garage, the van before saw me laying the spare between the two floors, and the one before that it was externally fitted to the rear wall which was designed to take the strain. None of my solutions will help NIgel.

Best I can suggest is that Nigel has a look for an answer on the Swift forum. Oh and to check his breakdown cover to ensure his van will be recovered even if it "does not have a serviceable spare."

My current spare wheel weighs 27kg.

We’d certainly not travel without a spare. TW’s advice is good. Getting a MH recovered is not like a car, takes a specialist truck to cope with length, weight and height. You don’t want to be in this situation for sake of a spare wheel. 

Our MH didn't have a spare wheel and I've had to buy one and put it flat on the floor under the fixed bed.

Your MH is a similar design and although it takes up valuable storage space it is an essential item especially if you go abroad.

We've only had one puncture, a nail in the tyre in France giving a slow puncture, in 8 years of Motorhoming but having a spare saved us a great deal of hassle and expense.

A fellow Brit and myself changed it in a few minutes, took the wheel to a garage, they repaired it for €10 and we were on our way within an hour.

Without a spare wheel we would have had to wait for breakdown services (very thin on the ground during the weekend), they would have to source a tyre of the same size and probably same make and eventually fit it.

Okay if you have a few days spare but not ideal if you wish to be elsewhere.

Do not rely on the gunge blow up kit as your only option – they will not work on many punctures and can damage the tyre beyond repair as well.

"Do not rely on the gunge blow up kit as your only option – they will not work on many punctures and can damage the tyre beyond repair as well."

The supplied compressors often aren’t man enough to reach the required pressures either. 

Our Escape 612 came with the 'gunge stuff' and no spare wheel  This is despite the fact that Swift's own website, together with those of my dealer and several other dealers I've looked at, all stating that the 612 (and some other models) come with "an underslung spare wheel".

Having looked through the web for advice on this subject, by far the majority of correspondents advise that carrying a spare wheel is essential. I now wonder if I should consider having one fitted. I even wonder if there is space under the vehicle to have one 'retro-fitted'.

Anyone else got a similar problem?

I don't have a spare wheel and don't even bother carrying a spare tyre in the UK but do so when travelling on the Continent. I couldn't change the wheel if I had one in anycase and on motorways you are advised not to even if you can. I haven't had a puncture for over 25 years until recently when I noticed I had a slow puncture. I just called up a local tyre repair service and they came out bringing a spare tyre with them which in the event was not required. The wheel was removed and on testing the tyre with liquid soap, it turned out to be a leaky valve. This was replaced and the  tyre inflated and wheel replaced. Took about 45 minutes. The damage £90, I've had 8 years trouble free motoring with this motorhome without a spare wheel. One would be well over £100 to buy and I would still have to call for help to change it.. As far as I am concerned it is not worth the trouble of carrying a spare even if I could find somewhere to fit it.

peedee