Should I get a Spare Tire? : /

[bauerhillboy]

We have a Little Guy Silver Shadow which did not come with a spare when we bought it new 2 years ago. Never gave it a thought until now. This summer we plan to travel 8-10k miles to the western National Parks and Canadian Rockies. Our tow vehicle is our Honda Element, so we are considering the weight of EVERYTHING we take. A spare tire and wheel will weigh quite a bit and it will add to the trickiness of maintaining the proper tongue weight. Our tires only have 2K mi. or so on them so we could take a chance, but a flat tire during a trip this long would not be a surprise. If we got a flat out west somewhere, there would be a HUGE difference between having / not having a spare.

Any thoughts from seasoned Teardrop Travelers? John.

[GuitarPhotog]

Yes, you should have a spare tire. I did not have one when I had a blow-out. Had to leave the trailer along side the road overnight while I took the wheel to a tire store to have another installed.

Also carry the tools necessary to change it, jack, axle stand, and lug wrench.

<Chas>

[halfdome, Danny]

If you get a spare go to a used tire dealer or junk yard and get a donut spare with the correct bolt pattern and tire height.
I've bought several over the years at around $30 or free in one instance.
Personally we don't have a spare on our teardrop but we do have AAA road service with RV and tow vehicle.
They'll tow either vehicle for almost 100 miles.
A spare on our TD would hang under the galley to the rear hitch receiver that spans two cross members.
Who knows I might get a spare sometime
Danny

[tony.latham]

Every river has two sides. And I'm on the far bank across the channel from GuitarPhotog.

I've been dragging teardrops since 2004 without a flat and I'm in the camp that says you don't need a spare, but I carry a spare. Does that make anysense?

In the spring I strap the spare inside my Tacoma's cap (I've got room) and it stays there until there's snow on the ground. Never had a flat on either of my teardrops. I run ten-ply LT tires on by Tacoma and six-ply LT tires on my 'drop--we do many off-pavement miles. I think that's the secret, heavy-duty tires. In fact I haven't had a flat in my Tacoma since I quit running six-plies.



That outta really confuse you!

Tony

[OLDMERC]

I've been pulling trailers for 30 years and I've never had a flat across the street from a tire shop . I don't go anywhere without a spare .

[lrrowe]

Without any hesitation, Yes,

[GuitarPhotog]

Oh, and trailer tires seldom wear out, they "age out." My tire had fewer than 1,000 miles on it when it blew, it was however about nine years old. Pay attention to the tire date code, rather than the mileage.

<Chas>

[daveesl77]

I carry a spare mounted to a hub in a large garbage bag. The hub wasn't necessary but came about due to a hub failure on a HF frame under warranty. I also carry a can of tire sealer and a small 12v compressor. Nothing like being in the middle of nowhere, blown tire and you have to leave the trailer on the side of the road. I've never needed on, but both the van and trailer have spares.

dave

[H.A.]

F.

[halfdome, Danny]

I also carry a can of tire sealer.

Same here along with a jump start battery that will pump air.
Danny

[ae6black]

I know that it wasn't a TD but a Coleman Popup. One Summer I had six blowouts. Coleman would never admit that they put too small a tire on the 96 Cheyanne, but they did. I upgraded to a 13 inch and never lost another tire. No rhyme nor reason to when the tires would blow. I always checked the inflation. Sometimes I'd go a whole season or two without any trouble and I never overloaded the unit. I just blew tires. So yes I always carry a spare. Before I got rid of the Pop up, I was carrying three spares. Really glad to get rid of that camper.

Art

[Roly Nelson]

After over 40,000 miles, not a flat tire on any of my tears. However, I don't want to be stuck with a flat, way out in the desert or in the mountains, so I always bring a spare that fits my HF trailer. Not too heavy, just a bit of classic, I dont' wanna be stranded. Driving long distances away from home, is like flirting with disaster, when the tire goes "Pow". "Stick em up, give me your money."
Roly ~~

[KennethW]

The share can do double duty. As the bottom of a stand for table or a weight to hold a shelter down.

[kirkman]

I asked the same question to my dad when he was alive his response was. " You probably wont need it, but what are you going to do if you do and you in the middle of the desert or down town New York City "

[pete49]

On a long trip I would maybe take a spare but I do carry a can of tyre inflator but I use tubed tyres. I guess I'm screwed if it blows out and rips the tyre but on 2-5 hundred mile trips I risk it with just the can. Its a case of horses for courses but you know your trip and plan accordingly
Pete