| Author | Message | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Registered Member Username: Daveola Post Number: 84 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.204.157.4 Rating: N/A |
My spare tire compartment is empty... I see that many people use this compartment for storage, A/C, etc.. So the question is, how important is it to actually carry a spare? It seems to me that if I have a tire blowout, I'm going to need professional help. Does the bus need to be towed no matter what? And if I don't have a spare, can I get away without towing the bus? What's the general procedure for fixing a flat with and without a spare? (Not counting tag axles - that's easy enough) | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 218 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.227.119.131 Rating: N/A |
I've heard of people not carrying a spare,can't imagine it tho. It's a big job to change a tire,usually you call a truck tire place as close as you can find & they come out & fix it,either fix the flat or put your spare on.towing is the last option,& you are really not wanting to be towed,so,carry a spare. | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Registered Member Username: Daveola Post Number: 85 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.204.157.4 Rating: N/A |
Considering what a nightmare towing is, would it be unreasonable to pay the tire place to come out, take off the old wheel, bring it back to the shop, replace tire, come back and put it on? It would involve two trips, but I can't imagine it would cost more than twice what you'd be paying anyways. Then again - do they jack up the bus with a jack they can leave their temporarily, or do they use their truck to lift it? Maybe I should go out and get a flat and find out.. ;) | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 219 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.227.113.103 Rating: N/A |
no,if you have ruined the tire,you tell them what size & they bring a new one out,a flat is not a fun thing,or cheap,especialy if they damage your bus towing it.AND, you pay the inflated tire price,whatever they say,cause,you have NO choice.GET A SPARE !! | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Registered Member Username: Daveola Post Number: 86 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.204.157.4 Rating: N/A |
Do they actually mount and balance the tire on your wheel at the bus? Because if that's the case, why would it matter if I have a spare? Or is the idea that with a spare I could change the tire myself somehow and get the bus to a tire shop? | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 220 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.227.113.103 Rating: N/A |
go out & get your flat,you are going to spend between 500 & 1000 maybe then, you will carry a spare..and yes ,they mount the tire right there,but no balanceing. | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Registered Member Username: Daveola Post Number: 87 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.204.157.4 Rating: N/A |
And how much to mount a spare? Or is that something I can do myself with the right jack? | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 221 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.227.113.103 Rating: N/A |
If you go to a truck salvage,usually you can find a good tire & wheel for 100 to 200 | ||
| JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member Username: Njt5047 Post Number: 82 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 69.132.238.127 Rating: |
Tag axle wheels could be used as a spare. Chain up the tag axle and move the tag wheel to the steering or drive axle. Be right good bit of work...and this assumes that you can jack the bus up in the location in which you are stranded. Unless on pavement, unlikely to jack a bus. Road service will come out and change your spare. They will also bring a new tire (if they cand find one) and mount it onto your rim on site. Carry and air hose that will access bus air and often a flat can be nursed to a parking lot or somewhere that the bus is safe to work with. There are speed limits that should be followed when operating with a chained up tag. If tag goes flat, the whole thing can be jacked up off the road and moved. Read about this procedure in your manual. JR | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 222 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.227.113.103 Rating: N/A |
usually to get a truck to come to you & change your spare or fix a flat,it's about 100, might be more if he has a long distance to travel | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 223 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.227.113.103 Rating: N/A |
most of us busnuts are 50+,changeing a tire is for a young man in good shape,it is fun to watch them work,but ,for an inexperienced ,older guy, it's a heart attack ,waiting to happen, the tire shop guy has a big compressor & a one inch impact. | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 204 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
If your coach has an odd sized tire, carry a spare. If you are running a standard sized truck tire, it is usually no big deal buying a tire on the road. (If you are travelling well off the beaten path, well that is another list of spares altogether.) My tires will die of old age long before they wear out. If the spare is old, It may not be of much use when you need it. JR is right on the mark about using a tag tire as a spare. If it is the outside tire that is flat, only a runup block is needed. If it's inside or a front, a jack is required. Also, those lug nuts are supposed to be torqued to ~450 ft-lbs. Most can't do that with a 1/2" ratchet....... I also plan on using a tire air pressure monitoring system so I will have plenty of warning before a small leak causes a big problem. As for balancing the tire on the side of the road, some use balance powder, golf balls, etc to dynamically balance the tire, so that's not a problem for them. Old Bob is right about changing a tire on the side of the road, much more fun to watch than do. When you add up the cost for the tools, tire, & lost storage, changing your own isn't as cheap as you may have thought. You have to decide based on your unique situation & abilities, there is no 'one size fits all' answer. | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 305 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 70.222.220.242 Rating: N/A |
nice looking crruiser Kyle! When do we get to see it? LOL Ace | ||
| R.J.(Bob) Evans (Bobofthenorth)
Registered Member Username: Bobofthenorth Post Number: 105 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 64.110.227.34 Rating: N/A |
I'm with JR. I run my best (newest) tires on the steer axle. I've got air lift on the tags so my plan if I need a spare is to steal one of the tags. I carry 3/4" sockets, 2 x 20 ton jacks, lots of blocking & a 3/4" impact but I'll be calling roadside assistance if that is an option. Changing truck tires isn't even that much fun to watch. Watch the big trucks on the road - its unusual for them to carry spares now. | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 205 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
Ace, alright smart guy, not all of us are as good as you. Besides, you can't rush perfection (LOL) Thanks to the Timmonsville rally (& Susans's tour of your custom private coach) It will happen sooner. Susan is awesome, how'd you get so lucky? Anyway, Nancy is actually showing enthusiam for 'taking the bus'. YEAAAAA! Now If I can just find the $$$. | ||
| David Dulmage (Daved)
Registered Member Username: Daved Post Number: 141 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 142.46.199.30 Rating: N/A |
I carry the spare so that I will be able to have it installed even if a local tire shop doesn't have a replacement tire available. DaveD | ||
| Arnold J Molloy (Ayjay)
Registered Member Username: Ayjay Post Number: 40 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 68.160.171.74 Rating: N/A |
Hi: I carry an unmounted spare, use the tire section to carry hoses, power cords, etc. use the 22 1/2" center as general storage for whatever. AyJay | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Registered Member Username: Daveola Post Number: 88 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.204.157.4 Rating: N/A |
So - if I read these suggestions right, unless I'm worried about not being able to find a tire on the road (or use one of the tags), or unless I want to change it myself, it seems that it doesn't make a lot of sense to bring a spare - yes? I'm not sure I'd want to bring a tire sans wheel, seems like getting the wheel on/off is hard enough, trying to replace the tire on the wheel might be adding too much to the emergency-do-it-yourself job for me. | ||
| Ray Lala (Rayshound)
Registered Member Username: Rayshound Post Number: 74 Registered: 8-2003 Posted From: 12.148.143.20 Rating: N/A |
My choice was to do away with the spare & use a tag if needed. The spare tire hole made a great place to mount dash air & compressor etc, just my way. Ray | ||
| Chuck Lott (Chuckmc8)
Registered Member Username: Chuckmc8 Post Number: 180 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 68.211.31.82 Rating: N/A |
Coach net changes my spare onto my bus..I just call.....anywhere; and I dont even have to find a tire guy...for about $100 a year..... plus all the other services for all my other vehicles....I just consider it part of my insurance "package".....and....tows bus if needed. peace of mind = good deal for me. I wouldnt leave home w/o a good spare tire in any vehicle. | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 227 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.227.119.161 Rating: N/A |
I guess it's everybodys decision wheather to carry a spare or not,I would not go anywhere without a spare,got one in my car, I don't feel right without a spare tire,can not change this late in life.I don't go anywhere without my pants either. | ||
| Ed Jewett (Kristinsgrandpa)
Registered Member Username: Kristinsgrandpa Post Number: 268 Registered: 2-2003 Posted From: 64.24.208.43 Rating: N/A |
I carry two spares, one on each side on the tag axle hubs. Also if you are going to depend on the tags for spares you should have a length of the proper size chain to chain them up. Try it out to make sure it works before you hit the road. My coach has slotted hooks to attach the chain already built in. My manual tells how to do it,(it even has pictures for people that can't read [ex-wife]). Ed | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Registered Member Username: Daveola Post Number: 89 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.204.157.4 Rating: N/A |
I have the chains. I actually tried unloading one of the tag axles and blocking it up, but when I attached the chains that came with the bus the tire was still touching the ground. I assume the chains are only for when the tire is removed, to keep the wheel up high? | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 319 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.126.56 Rating: N/A |
Personally, I would want to carry a spare, as most of our coaches use 12:00 22.5 which isn't a popular size carried by most service companies. If you have a flat, you should be back on the road quicker if they don't have to chase around for a tire. Also if you don't venture that far from home on your trips, you might be more inclined to get along without. As far as age, you could rotate the spare around the coach with the other tires if they are similar. I'm talking for someone that will need to depend on someone else to change their tires. If you have a tag, then you could rob one of them in an emergency, like a lot do. I do know that the price of a replacement 12:00 22.5 out on the road is going to make your eyes water from most tire road service companies. Can you afford such an unanticipated expense on your trip? Some can and alot can't. I'm going to go hide under a rock now  | ||
| JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member Username: Njt5047 Post Number: 84 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 69.132.238.127 Rating: N/A |
Regarding chaining a tag on an MC9, the tire should be removed. It'll drag on the highway, and the coach is operated a low speed until repaired. John is correct about finding 12 and 13R 22.5 tires in rural areas. That is a problem waiting to happen. Removing a spare tire from an MC9 is more trouble than changing the thing. I don't carry the spare for short trips...do on longer rides. I'd have to use the toad to drag it out. Getting the dead assembly back into an MC9 ain't no picnic either. Alloy wheels aren't so bad, but steel wheels will hurt you. Most buses don't have wheel studs long enough for two alloy wheels, so a steel wheel spare is likely the best option...and be sure that you buy the correct "hub piloted" or budd wheel design...they don't interchange. As has been clearly stated, tire changing for those not physically able to handle such work, and those that lack some experience handling and installing truck wheels with a lever, are asking for an injury. Mounting a tire onto a rim would be only for the most robust and skilled. That is an art. I wouldn't get involved in mounting a tire. I can easily (relatively) change any tire/wheel assembly on my MC9 with equipment that I carry. I've R&R'd all of the wheels on my coach for various reasons. I'm 61 years of age, so view on changing tires may change soon. Right now, leverage is my friend! Another issue is safety while dinking with any vehicle on the side of the road...you can get hit during such events...get the coach to a safe place before working on it...if at all possible Carrying a spare is still good insurance if you have odd sized tires...such that most transit spec'd coaches...like my ex-NJT. One could find themselves sitting for several days...? JR | ||
| Doug Wotring
Unregistered guest Posted From: 69.136.90.146 Rating: N/A |
Carry a aspare....especially if you have 12r22.5's...not a common size for a truck stop/tire shop to have on hand unless they do business with a local bus company. Even if they do have one it may be some off brand, or a traction tire when you need a rib or the like. Road service tire mounting is generally not ballanced.....but your spare would be. depends on how you use your bus...perhaps your Ok with sitting where the tire blows for a day waiting for a tire... | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 914 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 69.156.126.33 Rating: N/A |
Hello tyre lovers.... my observations: 1) You will pay top price at best, criminal rates at worst, if the tire guy has to bring you a tire. I would strongly recommend you bring your own spare parts, so you just pay for install. 2) The tire guy is doing the work, including hauling the spare out from under the bus, and shoving the remnants of the flat back in there. Don't worry about that part! 3) Do you have a variety of 1-800 numbers in the bus? Goodyear and others have their own, your roadside assistance... If you don't know who you are going to call now, how are you going to figure that out in the rain when your coach is partially blocking a highway in the dark just around a curve? 4) When the call comes, that a "Greyhound" type bus needs a tire change, and has a spare, the tire guy just has to saddle up and go, no screwing around. 5) Using a tag tire as a spare works from a practical view point: it works. Problem comes when the DOT spots you going down the road missing a tire.... (remember to put the air back on once the tag is chained up, if you drive it) Your only hope is if you are not overweight on the drive axle in that configuration. Again, you need a tire to fill that space, and are at the mercy of the locals. 6) If you are no longer able to do your own tire work, who is pulling your tires off to do the maintenance? Seized wheels, grease job, brake inspection? Busnuts should pull the wheels annually so they will come off, and to get a good look at things, never mind the law, it makes sence from a preventive maintenance and safety standpoint. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Edward J. Sommers (Sommersed)
Registered Member Username: Sommersed Post Number: 23 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 148.78.245.12 Rating: N/A |
I'm 64 and can change out a tire in around 30 minutes. Seems I regularly have a tire off for some reason. Once a person learns to use a pry bar for leverage, theres no problem mounting a tire. However I also have Coach Net so I don't have to do it alongside the road, although I have never had a highway flat. I also carry a plug kit so if I'm far from a town and it's a hole flat (not a blowout) I can just plug the hole, fill with air, and drive slowly to a repair shop - - - just another option. I'm thinking of doing away with my spare also, if I can get away with it with Coach Net. I'd gladly pay for the tire and mounting, and Coach Net just getting someone to me! Ed | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Registered Member Username: Daveola Post Number: 90 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.204.157.4 Rating: N/A |
buswarrior: why do you need to put the air back on when the tag is chained up? Or are you talking about the air to the other tag that still has a wheel? Sommersed: Are plug kits different for these types of tires, or can a normal car tire plug kit work? | ||
| Burgermester Unregistered guest Posted From: 64.142.42.176 Rating: N/A |
David, I'm going to guess that the controls affect air to both tag swingarms and, unless you restore air, you'll be running around with no assistance from the tag with a tire on it. | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 206 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
Everything on a conversion is a compromise. Storage space is at a premium. The gross weight can become an issue if one gets carried away. Knowing what spare parts to carry is an educated guess at best & a crap shoot at worst. I remember hearing about one fellow that carried a spare transmission with him! If I carried all the parts I thought I 'MIGHT' need, there wouldn't be room left for me! Carry what you can to be comfortable. What is your situation? Can you (or do you want to) change a tire? Do you have the tools? Do you have special tires or common truck tires? Do you have to run heavy lugged tires for the drives & steer tires elsewhere? Using the tag as a spare should get you to the nearest service center where you don't have to pay the 'special delivery' charge, not the rest of your trip. Tire pressure monitor caps will let you know when a tire looses it's air so it can be dealt with before it shreads itself. With the early warning, you can get far enough off the road to safely deal with the tire. Buswarrior has a good point in axle weight... Do you know yours? Good info to have to ensure you are running the proper tire. Good luck (Message edited by kyle4501 on October 11, 2006) | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Registered Member Username: Daveola Post Number: 91 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.204.157.4 Rating: N/A |
Burgermester: On the 102A3 (at least on mine) there are separate valves for each tag axle, so I can leave only one unloaded. I just wondered if there was some other reason to put air pressure back on. I suppose it's also less likely to bounce and possibly pop the chain off. Kyle: Well put. And I do know my axle weight (though not since the batteries went in.. time to reweigh!) | ||
| Brian Elfert (Belfert)
Registered Member Username: Belfert Post Number: 17 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 132.148.80.215 Rating: N/A |
On the Dina, there is a winch that cranks the spare tire up like most SUVs and pickups these days. There is really no benefit to not carrying a spare as the space can't be used for anything. My spare is a brand new tire that is 10 years old. I would probably get a new tire ASAP if I ever need to use the spare. Brian Elfert | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 228 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.227.119.155 Rating: N/A |
I can't imagine all this,you guys that don't carry a spare,do you have one for your car ? so,if you have a flat or a blowout,you expect some guy to guess what you need & 'if' you have ruined a wheel,this guy is supposed to go all over & find you a wheel,which 'might' be hub piloted,or 'might' be stud piloted,and a tire,which;might be mud tred,or might be rib tred,he is supposed to guess all this,& come out and fix you bus,and then you are just going to sit there,while the guy fixes your problem.and you have three bays on your bus, & you 'just don't have room for a spare. | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 207 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: |
If you want to cary a spare tire, transmission, U-joints, wheel bearings, heater hoses, spare radiator, spare engine, replacement windshields, etc by all means do! But do it because that is what YOU want in YOUR bus, not beacuse one of us told you to. It's your bus, educate yourself (as you are doing by reading this board) so you can make the best choice for YOUR needs. As for me, I'll have standard size truck tires on mine, so getting a replacement tire should be easy. I also have a dual tire tag, so I can reduce the tag weight & 'borrow' one to put where needed as I limp to a full service tire store. I'll also have the tire monitoring system in place to keep a closer eye on the tire pressure. Isn't that why we convert these things... to do it our own way. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 320 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.126.56 Rating: N/A |
Kyle, you forgot a spare air conditioner....at least if your coach breaks down, you want to be cool while the wife is giving you hell for not carrying a spare. | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 232 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.227.112.54 Rating: N/A |
guess most of you haven't had a flat in a larger vehicle, it realy isn't THAT noticeable, you 'kinda' detect a SMALL amount of vibration,you are not sure wheather you are just imagineing it,or,if there is an additional vibration present,so,you drive to a place where you can pull a larger vehicle off the road,you walk around, & you find on one of your wheels....two sidewalls...nothing in between. that's the way it is,EXCEPT on your steer axel...there, you have a blowout, right next to your ear,it scares the shit out of you & the bus falls eight inches & traveling down the highway on your rim,which,if it's aluminum,will last about 50 feet,then the bus falls over an ADDITIONAL 10 inches,whitch 'might' put you in a nice brardslide,& give oncomeing traffic a good shot at the side of the bus,where your wife WAS playing cards,& forever more,you will get NO sugar from her,even if she does live thru all this. | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member Username: Drivingmisslazy Post Number: 1700 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 75.108.82.163 Rating: N/A |
Hey Kyle, someone on the board is installing a spare Webasto. Talk about belts and suspenders! LOL Richard | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1046 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.181.163.170 Rating: N/A |
David - MCI recommends putting the air pressure back into the tag air bellows after chaining up the swing axle to keep sufficient tension on the chain. By doing so, it reduces the risk of the chain coming loose, allowing the assembly to bounce along on the pavement, with the associated damage. BTW, the MCI Operator's Manual says "Reduce speed when operating with trailing axle in raised position." And yes, it's printed in red! HTH. . . | ||
| Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member Username: Larry_d Post Number: 73 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 216.228.202.23 Rating: N/A |
Why worry about the cost just pay about $100. /year for RV insurance and call the insurance when you have the flat. 4905 Larry | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 208 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 72.147.39.4 Rating: N/A |
Hey bob, you continue to miss the part concerning the tire pressure monitoring system. (For those that don't know what this is, it is a small computer that monitors tire pressure & alarms if the pressure drops 5%. Some use valve cap sensors, others use a sensor mounted inside the tire.) I should be able to avoid running a tire flat with this. A friend with a successful trucking company studied tire failures on his trucks & found the main cause of loss of air was the tire valve not sealing after the pressure was checked. But he is probably the only one to have ever experienced this. All of the blowouts I have experienced were from tire abuse - overloaded or under pressure or just old. Also since I'll be running STANDARD TRUCK tires, a stud piloted rim should be easy to get. And yes I have experienced blow outs front & rear at hiway speeds in heavy traffic. No, I didn't park it funny either. In the scenairo you describe, after the front rim is gone, I'd want my rig towed to a front end shop 'cause after plowing that much pavement, I ain't gonna trust the suspension till it is checked out. BTW if I'm stranded due to lack of a spare tire (or transmission) Please feel free to wave as you ride by yelling 'i told you so' I'll understand... Oh, and John, I'm sure it will be plenty frigid if you know what I mean | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 233 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.227.119.167 Rating: N/A |
checking tires with presure guages...must be something new... I'll wave | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 915 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 70.48.192.119 Rating: N/A |
Hello. Beware, if you buy road side assistance, and depend on them to bring out a new tire, you will pay absolutely top dollar. The Road Side Insurance company only pays a low flat rate to the tow/service provider to go out to do the service, they may make up for the low pay by nailing you hard for anything above and beyond the terms of your agreement, delivery, changing, disposal, price above retail for the tire. I am supportive of folks making their own decisions about spare tires. If you cannot afford to spontaneously purchase a top priced tire and the service to deliver and install it, then best to carry a spare. If you have the cash, then use that former tire storage space for some other purpose! Do we want to start the discussion about the role a "behind the front bumper" spare plays in a front end collision? happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Tom Caffrey (Pvcces)
Registered Member Username: Pvcces Post Number: 1000 Registered: 5-2001 Posted From: 65.74.65.54 Rating: N/A |
Buswarrior, I don't remember such a discussion, but I have thought about the difference of having or not having the inflated spare in place. I'll bet the collision investigators have had some interesting observations. Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 Suncatcher Ketchikan, Alaska | ||
| Larry Baird (Airhog)
Registered Member Username: Airhog Post Number: 111 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 71.9.81.46 Rating: N/A |
I run 11R24's on my MC-7 and the tire will not fit in the spare compartment. I have had a flat on all axels but never would carry a spare. Having good tires is a must, paying road service is not that much, having a drink when watching someone else change you flat is priceless. | ||
| Alton Gattis (Fiddlearound)
Registered Member Username: Fiddlearound Post Number: 11 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 64.28.99.137 Rating: N/A |
My spare tire compartment now houses three compressors for my split air conditioning system. My tags are doubles so I hope to use one of the outside tires for a spare if needed. Also have road service and hope to never use either (spare or service). | ||
| Gary LaBombard (Garylee)
Registered Member Username: Garylee Post Number: 77 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 152.163.100.138 Rating: N/A |
Well You might know I would have to also make a comment here. As far as spares as you all know I have built a bus with a spare undercarriage. LOL. I do plan to travel with a spare if the Old Eagle is ever roadworthy and build a sliding ramp for the tire in the spare compartment in the front to make it easier for me or the road service crew to remove my spare and not get hurt doing so. If we can make silk purses out of sow's ears with these buses we can sure make a sliding ramp like we do for our generators to put in and remove our spares, at lease I know I can and will. I know these guys on the road will just rape you for the price of a new tire, try thinking what it would cost in Utah in the Salt Flats etc??? Oh My!! My road assistance insurance will pay for the changing of tires if I feel I want someone else to change it and that is a cheap price to pay but having the spare could mean a couple hundred dollars more or so over the normal price at you home tire supplier that I do not believe your road assistance insurance will pay for?? Not sure, but inform me here if I am wrong please?? That is my 2 cents. and my plan, you would have to pay maybe $500 for a new tire if they have one and only about $300 for one at home, Brand new. Maybe the $500 is cheap price, could be more. I listen to those that travel long distances and who travels furthest for Arcadia than "BusWarrior"?? I am with you Bus Warrior, take your chances if you want but my extra pocket money is going for fuel to keep me going in the direction I plan and not for a tire. Gary | ||
| John Ferguson (Jarlaxle)
Registered Member Username: Jarlaxle Post Number: 17 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.174.106.89 Rating: N/A |
When I replaced my badly-worn steer tires (11R22.5), I kept the better of the two as a spare. It is carried mounted on a rim, & I carry the tools to change it (jacks, blocks to put them on in a dirt lot, 4' breaker bar, impact sockets, etc.). By the time the tire guy shows up, I can have the tire changed, tools put away, my hands washed, & shirt changed, and be on my way again. Happily, I didn't need to use the spare on my recent Florida trip. |
