Tyre issue - Red Pennant

A bit of a mess but I see the problem. Red Pennant are usually very good and it looks as if you got a newcomer or someone too inflexible which is why you got the refusal. They do seem to have backtracked, so presumably they have realised the initial reaction was wrong.

All services get things wrong, and it is only what happens after that which sorts out the better ones, which you have with RP.

Surfer

I have moved you post here as it's possible that admin more likely to see it here.

Just a question for you. Did you mention  to Red Pennant whilst you were in France that you would need the wheel changed back once you were home? That would have at least given them the opportunity to get the tyre fitter back out to you in France or to make arrangements when you got home. I suspect that trying to do it retrospectively once you were home was the reason for the initial response which when reflected on was the reason for the later offer. Perhaps Red Pennant would be willing to refund the fitting costs you had in the UK?

David

Tyres don't have to be the same make on the same axle just the same size and rating/construction to be legal.

The fact that they sorted you out and got you moving again and with a spare wheel, albeit the original alloy. Then to my mind they have done what you paid for.? 

I also appreciate you don't have a torque wrench and to be honest a cheap DIY one is not to be trusted for accuracy anyway. But a bit of common sense and the caravan's wheel brace will do the job. Do you check the wheel bolts occasionally our just leave to the dealer to once a year?   

 

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David, As we were leaving the next day for another site, it could not be done then.  It was suggested that it could be done at the next site however the concern was odd tyres on the same axles as no one can state categorically that the same brand and size are mandatory or as long as it is the same structure but different brands they are allowed. 

I am unsure whether it was suggested that we wait until our return to England to arrange the swap, but if the call was recorded that would help.  I have no issue with the excellent service provided by RP.

I still need to get someone to do the job for me as I do not have the capabilities to do the job myself.  In addition, is the job complete when you are driving around with the spare steel wheel on the caravan?  What if I did not have a spare?  The OP is a query for answers.

"is the job complete when you are driving around with the spare steel wheel on the caravan?"

Yes, Caravan spare wheels are full size (not space savers) so as good as / equivalent to the alloy. Just not as nice to look at 

I understand you need to get someone to help you. But putting it back isn't part of what they do after they have left the job. If you were out solo in your car and had a puncture and were you to call the AA or similar then that's what they would do, just change the wheel and get you on the move again. Your original gets refitted as part of the job at the tyre fitters when they either repair or replace the damaged one which is down to you ?

 

I think you are missing the point.  I can drive a vehicle to a tyre depot and get the wheels changed.  With a caravan you need to call out someone hence the extra cost plus having insurance.  Again the question of what would happen if the caravan did not have a spare as that would be two trips for the fitter anyway? 

In addition, the alloy spare now has a Michelin tyre fitted so different brands on the same axle is supposed to be illegal in France.  No one seems to be able to give a conclusive answer backed up by an answer from the French authorities.

Input from admin would be welcome.

I don't think I missing the point? as I understand it you are paying for and they provide an emergency breakdown repair/recovery service.

Not a mobile caravan repair and service, service?

Just the way I see it but you have other expectations ?

Either way Happy caravaning 

Why do you think changing a wheel is a repair?  Surely the service is not complete until the caravan is back to its original condition? 

Once the fitter had removed the wheel maybe it would have been better for us to have taken the wheel to the tyre depot, got it fixed, returned with the wheel and then called for the fitter again to fit the wheel onto the caravan?

Either way it is a pity that admin do not check on the forum and update us regarding different brands with the same structure on the same axle in France.