Do we need a spare tire?

My CAA (Canadian AAA) Premier RV coverage states clearly that they will cover installing your spare tire. They will not bring a new tire to install on
your rim at the side of the road, nor a loaner wheel to get you to a tire shop.

I've used the service once when we got a flat going through a construction zone. Single lane with barricades traffic on a normally 3 lane per side
hyway, so I had to drive about 1/2 mile to find a place to stop.

I still carry a spare.

--
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
 
What if I carried a spare tire (no rim)? Can you mount a tire w/out special tools?
Just asking/playing devil's advocate/wanting to learn

thanks
kelly
--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
IF you can get the old tire off the rim you might be able to install the new tire BUT you will need a few pry bars and a good shot of air to re
inflate it. Reseating the tire on the rim can be a chore even under ideal conditions. Not something I'd attempt except under the most extreme
circumstances.
Hal
--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1975 Eleganza II, 101230,

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,

Rio Rancho, NM
 
> What if I carried a spare tire (no rim)? Can you mount a tire w/out special tools? I realized it won't be balanced.
> Just asking/playing devil's advocate/wanting to learn
>
> thanks
> kelly

Kelly,

I would have to ask how you plan to carry it and what could you do with it if you did need it?

If the tools are special is a point of view issue. I have tire spoons in a chest in my barn, but I am not even sure that one can buy these anymore.
(Ebay answered that, they are.) I know that I have the tools and experience to mount a 16" tire, but this is not common. And, once it is mounted,
you will need air to inflate it.
Lastly, where would you carry the unmounted tire?
- If in a roof pod, getting it there or retrieving it would be a serious issue.
- There are (that I know of) two coaches modified to carry the spare inside.
- It could not be all that hard to find and or have made a rear carrier.

It is always good to ask things, maybe you will make someone think a little harder.

Matt

--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
This is sort of a thought experiment I'm running through my head.

If I carried a spare tire (no rim)- could AAA come and mount it for me? This would eliminate the need to order/wait/goto a shop that does tires and if
they have/don't have my specific tire.

I have a rear spare right now, tire is unknown age, wheel is steel (all 6 on the coach are aluminum) It occurs to me I should probably get a new tire
at least on the spare, what good is it if it's aged out and going to blow as soon as I spend the time/energy getting it on the coach if one blows.
Then I wonder, what if I just travel with a spare tire to go on an the aluminum wheels? I could put it in back under the bed with my other tools,
remove the spare from the back (someone said they were 80 pounds?!) and be lighter without much change to my existing risk of a blowout.

I don't want to be stupid, but I wonder if I'm already doing that with my current spare. Can I be slightly less stupid and dump some weight?

kelly

> > What if I carried a spare tire (no rim)? Can you mount a tire w/out special tools? I realized it won't be balanced.
> > Just asking/playing devil's advocate/wanting to learn
> >
> > thanks
> > kelly
>
> Kelly,
>
> I would have to ask how you plan to carry it and what could you do with it if you did need it?
>
> If the tools are special is a point of view issue. I have tire spoons in a chest in my barn, but I am not even sure that one can buy these
> anymore. (Ebay answered that, they are.) I know that I have the tools and experience to mount a 16" tire, but this is not common. And, once it is
> mounted, you will need air to inflate it.
> Lastly, where would you carry the unmounted tire?
> - If in a roof pod, getting it there or retrieving it would be a serious issue.
> - There are (that I know of) two coaches modified to carry the spare inside.
> - It could not be all that hard to find and or have made a rear carrier.
>
> It is always good to ask things, maybe you will make someone think a little harder.
>
> Matt

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
I vote for keeping the spare. On two occasions, I have replaced bad tires with my spare, albeit in an RV park, not along the road. I suppose I could
have taken the bad tire (one Kumho, and one BFG Commercial TA) to a tire shop, but it was much more convenient to just change it out and HOPE iI
didn't have another tire go bad on the way home.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
I would remind everyone that it is important to check the condition of the spare occasionally. About a month ago, I was readying my coach to attend
the Bean Station rally (had to cancel my plans after the wife had medical problems). Any way, I pulled the cover off of the spare and discovered it
to have badly cracked sidewalls. It was a Firestone Transforce 16.5 original size tire that had never been on the ground and still had stickers on
the tire. It was a "new" 13 year old tire. I ordered a Firestone replacement from Wally World ($136) which arrived at the store the next day. The
tire had a 3 month old date code. The service center told me it would be mounted in an hour and a half. After two hours, I came back and my tire was
still not changed out. It seems there was a shift change and the "mechanics" thought the tire had already been changed because they saw the stickers
on the old tire. After explaining things to them, they quickly mounted it and didn't charge the mounting fee.
--
Jerry Sitzlar..... 77 Eleganza II, Twin bed, dry bath......
Lenoir City, TN
 
I haven't convinced myself to leave the spare tire home. YET. It's a 50/=
50 thing now. I know I'll NEVER take the spare off it's mount by myself. Wa=
sn't in the cards when I was in my 50's. The Quad bag system will get me ou=
t of harms way. That's a big deal for me. It's because I love me. GRIN. Th=
is has been a good subject. The statement. I'll just change the tire. The r=
eality is that it's just not that simple. Gets us thinking about what we mi=
ght have to do. Bob Dunahugh ________________________________ From:=
Bob Dunahugh Sent: Friday, May 11, 2018 9:40 PM=
To: gmclist Subject: RE: Do we need a spare tire? =
Were you live plays some into this topic. I wouldn't want to do i=
t out West. Not a lot of off ramps out there. Running on 5 idea is for very=
short duration at slow speeds. Off ramps, and towns are closes East of the=
Missouri River. And East is the area that we travel in mostly. We always h=
ave a toad, or a trailer with one of my road race Yenkos on that trailer. I=
can bring a spare on the trailer. I can get the tire fixed with the toad. =
I can roll a tire from the rear to the front. But taking that spare off it'=
s mount. I'm in good shape for 72. And a realest. That tire on that mount =
is a health risk for this coot. And an injured ME is a HUGE problem with Li=
nda in a wheel chair. If I'm injured. She CAN NOT help me in any way. ( =
Linda just said that she can dial 911) THANKS. GRIN. An other thought. W=
hat can your wife/partner do in this situation. This situation needs to be =
talked about in all our houses. With our partners. I'm now seeing the Quad=
bag system as more of an asset then I first thought. If youDamage a bearin=
g, or tire. I DO NOT care. That's CHEEP. Bob Dunahugh _______________=
_________________ From: Bob Dunahugh Sent: Frida=
y, May 11, 2018 11:09 AM To: gmclist Subject: Do we nee=
d a spare tire? We've had a GMC since 2003. Have never used our sp=
are tire. Can't remember when I ever used a spare tire on anything in the l=
ast 35 years. With the Quad bags. I can run a bit with one rear tire flat. =
Or if I had a front tire go flat. Relocate a rear tire to the front. That's=
simpler then getting the spare off that high spare tire mount. That spare =
is HEAVEY to get down. Then having it land on ME. Seen some GMC's that have=
removed the mount/spare tire. Looks great. And dumps a lot of weight. What=
you say out there? Bob Dunahugh
 
are those leveling jacks some folks have put on theirs strong enough to lift the coach high enough to change a wheel? if not maybe a system that is
should be looked into.

but I find it hard to believe a guy that has completely modified and restored his coach cant change a tire.

a set up like indy cars have that lifts the whole car in the pits for tire changes.. yeah, that would be awesome! should do double time for a really
good leveling system. can it be done stealthy or would it have to be something like on a bucket truck?

sure would make servicing and maintenance easier too.
 
Bob, I understand completely.
I don't believe it's " can't or don't know how". At 72 like Bob, and being active all my life (read beat-up) I can still do a lot of things but it is
at a much more leisurely pace and in the comfort of my shop. The side of the road is not where I want to practice my weight lifting nor does my wife
who no longer drives. That is what coach-net is for.

> are those leveling jacks some folks have put on theirs strong enough to lift the coach high enough to change a wheel? if not maybe a system that
> is should be looked into.
>
> but I find it hard to believe a guy that has completely modified and restored his coach cant change a tire.
>
> a set up like indy cars have that lifts the whole car in the pits for tire changes.. yeah, that would be awesome! should do double time for a
> really good leveling system. can it be done stealthy or would it have to be something like on a bucket truck?
>
> sure would make servicing and maintenance easier too.

--
Patti & Jerry Burt
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands -
77 Palm Beach
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS
 
I think not having a spare is a non starter. Regardless of whether or not
you can install yourself, having the wheel assembly will allow someone to
help you get back underway. There are a lot of places I’ve travelled where
there were no facilities nearby to purchase a tire. It’s a pretty critical
80 pound part of the 12000 pound machine. Check it for inflation, make sure
you have the proper hardware to mount it and hope you never need it. Not
having a spare on a motor home seems like owning a yacht without a dinghy
to me.

My 2 c
Sully
77 eleganza 2
Bellevue.

> Bob, I understand completely.
> I don't believe it's " can't or don't know how". At 72 like Bob, and being
> active all my life (read beat-up) I can still do a lot of things but it is
> at a much more leisurely pace and in the comfort of my shop. The side of
> the road is not where I want to practice my weight lifting nor does my wife
> who no longer drives. That is what coach-net is for.
>
>

> > are those leveling jacks some folks have put on theirs strong enough to
> lift the coach high enough to change a wheel? if not maybe a system that
> > is should be looked into.
> >
> > but I find it hard to believe a guy that has completely modified and
> restored his coach cant change a tire.
> >
> > a set up like indy cars have that lifts the whole car in the pits for
> tire changes.. yeah, that would be awesome! should do double time for a
> > really good leveling system. can it be done stealthy or would it have to
> be something like on a bucket truck?
> >
> > sure would make servicing and maintenance easier too.
>
>
> --
> Patti & Jerry Burt
> 73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands -
> 77 Palm Beach
> Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Im willing to bet a lot of us are actually running without a usable spare and dont know it.

My own is old and on a 16.5. I need to replace all of the tires [date wise] at this point so looking for a spare, preferably an alcoa.

Beyond that, I go with the idea better to have it and not need it.
--
76 Glenbrook
 
Fred,

Yes, I have a pair of mechanical jacks mounted in the front of the frame.
AND, I have removed the front wheels with the coach up on the
jacks. The jacks are 8 ton rated trailer tongue jacks, so two of them will
have no problem with the front of a GMC.
I copied the installation from Jim Wagner who has ALL the trick innovations.
See the GMC Photosite for info.

Gary Kosier
77PB w/500Cad
Newark, Ohio

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Fred"
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2018 4:17 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Do we need a spare tire?

> are those leveling jacks some folks have put on theirs strong enough to
> lift the coach high enough to change a wheel? if not maybe a system that
> is
> should be looked into.
>
> but I find it hard to believe a guy that has completely modified and
> restored his coach cant change a tire.
>
> a set up like indy cars have that lifts the whole car in the pits for tire
> changes.. yeah, that would be awesome! should do double time for a really
> good leveling system. can it be done stealthy or would it have to be
> something like on a bucket truck?
>
> sure would make servicing and maintenance easier too.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
With all this talk about how heavy and therefore difficult manipulating a spare tire can be, I’m surprised nobody has built a hinged spare tire mount. I envision a mount that swings down and back, while keeping the spare tire oriented so that it can be easily detached and rolled to the corner of the coach with the flat. The flat can then be rolled up to the rack, mounted to it, and then the rack swing back up into place. Perhaps with the aid of a mechanical crank.

With some basic CAD work, It would be a fairy easy item to design.

Has anyone attempted this? Would this be an item that might be of interest to fellow GMC owners? If there is interest, and nobody else is interested in designing/building them, I might give it a go as a project for next winter. I’ve already got enough on my plate for this summer.

Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'

>
> Im willing to bet a lot of us are actually running without a usable spare and dont know it.
>
> My own is old and on a 16.5. I need to replace all of the tires [date wise] at this point so looking for a spare, preferably an alcoa.
>
> Beyond that, I go with the idea better to have it and not need it.
> --
> 76 Glenbrook
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Anyone have an aluminum wheel they want to sell me I can use for a spare? :)

I'm pretty sure mine is OLD and TOAST and just as good as not having a spare... Also, I realize I don't travel with a bottle jack that will get the
buggy off the ground to change a tire... Sheesh

kelly

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
I would never think of travelling without spare.....even if I couldn't change it myself, it would be a rare occaision no one offered to help. I have
changed wheels before in just such cases.
The four bag systems are great for getting you off to somewhere better to change the tire....

One question though.....you can drive very slowly even with a flat in a car to get somewhere safe......can you do the same in a GMC .....obviously so
long as tire is still one piece.

Piece.
--
Cary, NC

1978 Center Kitchen Royale.
 
Les,
There are a lot of such designs out there. Do a Google patent search for something like
spare tire bumper mount lower
and check out the patent design drawings.
Richard

Les Burt[1

> has built a hinged spare tire mount. I envision a mount that swings down and back, while keeping the spare tire oriented so that it can be easily
> detached and rolled to the corner of the coach with the flat. The flat can then be rolled up to the rack, mounted to it, and then the rack swing
> back up into place. Perhaps with the aid of a mechanical crank.
>
> With some basic CAD work, It would be a fairy easy item to design.
>
> Has anyone attempted this? Would this be an item that might be of interest to fellow GMC owners? If there is interest, and nobody else is
> interested in designing/building them, I might give it a go as a project for next winter. I've already got enough on my plate for this summer.
>
> Les Burt

--
'77 Birchaven TZE...777
 
Bob,

Your coach, your call, but not having a spare places a simple flat into a different category. A half hour delay with a spare becomes a half or full
day delay.

Bert Curtis was working on a thinner custom fabricated rim, with a tire to match, that would fit underneath the coach and drop down like a pickup
spare.

You have fabrication skills, coming up with an easier way to raise and lower a spare would be a good way to exercise them. 😀

I've had a flat on a BFG that came on the coach, and two tread separations and a blowout on 3 Kumhos that were less than 3 years old. Not a Kumho
fan. In each case I was back on the road within 40 minutes.

Since you're okay with the idea of swapping tires front to back, that is changing two tires instead of one, it seems that it's simply the lifting of
the spare from the spare mount that prompts your question.

It's not a question of whether you need a spare (you do), it's a question of using mechanical advantage to allow you to handle the spare.

Richard
--
'77 Birchaven TZE...777
 
You think we have it bad, try this with a 32,000 GVW DP.

> Bob,
>
> Your coach, your call, but not having a spare places a simple flat into a
> different category. A half hour delay with a spare becomes a half or full
> day delay.
>
> Bert Curtis was working on a thinner custom fabricated rim, with a tire to
> match, that would fit underneath the coach and drop down like a pickup
> spare.
>
> You have fabrication skills, coming up with an easier way to raise and
> lower a spare would be a good way to exercise them. 😀
>
> I've had a flat on a BFG that came on the coach, and two tread separations
> and a blowout on 3 Kumhos that were less than 3 years old. Not a Kumho
> fan. In each case I was back on the road within 40 minutes.
>
> Since you're okay with the idea of swapping tires front to back, that is
> changing two tires instead of one, it seems that it's simply the lifting of
> the spare from the spare mount that prompts your question.
>
> It's not a question of whether you need a spare (you do), it's a question
> of using mechanical advantage to allow you to handle the spare.
>
> Richard
> --
> '77 Birchaven TZE...777
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--

*John Phillips*
 
thanks for this rabbit hole! Just looked at Jim Wagner's photo collection. I know I've seen a handful of his projects during other searches but
never clicked on his whole resume of GMC mods. WOW!

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/u56-jimw.html

kelly

> Fred,
>
> Yes, I have a pair of mechanical jacks mounted in the front of the frame.
> AND, I have removed the front wheels with the coach up on the
> jacks. The jacks are 8 ton rated trailer tongue jacks, so two of them will
> have no problem with the front of a GMC.
> I copied the installation from Jim Wagner who has ALL the trick innovations.
> See the GMC Photosite for info.
>
> Gary Kosier
> 77PB w/500Cad
> Newark, Ohio
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Fred"
> Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2018 4:17 PM
> To:
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Do we need a spare tire?
>
> > are those leveling jacks some folks have put on theirs strong enough to
> > lift the coach high enough to change a wheel? if not maybe a system that
> > is
> > should be looked into.
> >
> > but I find it hard to believe a guy that has completely modified and
> > restored his coach cant change a tire.
> >
> > a set up like indy cars have that lifts the whole car in the pits for tire
> > changes.. yeah, that would be awesome! should do double time for a really
> > good leveling system. can it be done stealthy or would it have to be
> > something like on a bucket truck?
> >
> > sure would make servicing and maintenance easier too.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
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