We're planning an Alaska adventure for this summer. I've read that its recommended to take a spare tire even an unmounted spare, so you wouldn't have to wait for one if you need it.
My question is should I take a spare for my 39ft. diesel pusher? Has anyone done this or am I worrying too much? Storage space is an issue, where would I store it? and is this common practice? Thanks again for all your comments.
David and Rosemary- fulltime rvers
2001 Newmar Dutchstar Cat 300hp
2010 Honda CRV toad
originally from Maumee, Ohio
"All Who Wander Are Not Lost"
A friend of ours has it mounted to the top of his roof in a bag. He travels all over the place with it. I think it is a used one he took off the front when he put new ones on the front. We lifted it up with my Bobcat and if he needs to use if he just lowers it down with a rope with a couple of wraps around a tubular bar that he mounted to the roof. It's mounted on a piece of outdoor carpet with the carpet facing down. He also carries a roll of carpet, about 4 ft wide that he uses against the side to the motorhome when lowering. The whole thing is kind of crude but it works for him.
Hook
Chevy 2500 4x4 CC D-Max/Allison
Summerwind 806
Rage'n FS2600 Toy Hauler
"Kik-n-but" 23' modified Atec, twin Yamaha 60's,
Hewes 20' Kenai River Special 50hp Yamaha,
Polaris RZR
Soon to come 27' Bayweld Offshore Boat, 300 HP,the "Bernie C"
I would guess (emphasize guess) that you will probably be able to find a spare somewhere in Alaska and most places along the Alcan, but having your own might mean the difference between a roadside wrecker-assisted tire change vs. either a couple day roadside wait or a long tow PLUS a couple day wait.
CRL
Displaced Alaskan NO MORE!
My RV is a 1946 PA-12
Friends have taken a unmounted spare on trips to Alaska and saved quite a bit over the cost of having to buy a replacement tire. Truck tire service people can mount a tire for you in the field, but many of them don't have the exact size in stock that we need. So, you have to wait until one can be brought in.
I've heard from "friends of friends" that having to buy a tire in an emergency can be very expensive, time consuming, and you'll have a tire that may not be the exact same size.
However, I've never carried a spare and have never needed one (in this coach). I just replace all my tires every seven years.
Holiday Rambler Navigator DP, Hummer, and Honda VT1100C Shadow
I carry one, unmounted, in the back of my pickup. Used it in 2008 in California and again in 2009 in Alaska. Both times the service truck driver was able to mount the tire on the side of the road and get me going again. My opinion, "don't leave home without it".
You can always find a tire for the toad but the motorhome is another question. However, if you plan on driving the toad on any of gravel roads in Canada or Alaska I would recommend at least one unmounted tire in addition to your mounted spare. I carry a small 12 volt air compressor and a string plug kit. I have had to patch a tire, on the toad, and also mount one. These roads are a lot of fun but can be really hard on tires.
Lonnie and Sue
2007 HR Ambassador 40'
2008 Chevy Colorado Z71 4x4 Crew Cab
West Texas, Retired
Fulltimers. No more grass to cut, no more leaves to rake, and can move if we don't like our neighbors.
States we spent time in, drive throughs not marked.
We had all new tires put on before our trip and didn't carry a spare. Are your tires nearing their lifespan? Very few large diesel motorhomes carry spares. Semi trucks travel the roads constantly. Tires can be had along your trip. Have fun!
Extremely Happy Full-Timers for 16 years
.... now trying to adjust to 3-season traveling - and it isn't easy!
2004 40' Newmar Dutch Star Diesel Pusher
2004 Jeep Liberty
davidnrose wrote: We're planning an Alaska adventure for this summer. I've read that its recommended to take a spare tire even an unmounted spare, so you wouldn't have to wait for one if you need it.
My question is should I take a spare for my 39ft. diesel pusher? Has anyone done this or am I worrying too much? Storage space is an issue, where would I store it? and is this common practice? Thanks again for all your comments.
I remember seeing the bus, I forgot the travel name, take off a flat and put on a good one on the side of the Alcan, but that was 1962 when I saw it.
2005 Chev 5.3 Supercharged 395HP 425 T hp. Two wheels on front, 2 on back. one seat, tint windows. front and rear bumpers, headlights, windows. Door on each side. Heater, floor mats, 6 Reese candy bars, junk behind seats, some dirt. Pulls so hard.
We have traveled 150,000 miles in our DP including 3 trips to Alaska and 4 to Newfoundland. We don't carry a spare and have never had a flat (fingers crossed our luck will continue as we head out to Alaska next week). My husband is pretty diligent about checking tires (on DP and Avalanche) and replacing as needed.
Being retired with almost complete flexibility is a part of the decision process and also the fact we could not change the tire without help anyway. We have had other breakdowns (not many thank goodness) on the road and have limped back or gotten assistance.
Hope you have a wonderful trip. Look for a hyper GSP named Abby; we'll be accompaning her.
If you don't mind waiting up to a week for a tire to arrive should you need one, then no worries.
This past fall I had difficulty getting snow tires for my Honda Fit car in Whitehorse ... most outlets needed to order them in and wanted a week for that.
A relative of mine visiting Whitehorse had to wait for five days for a replacement car tire of the needed size to arrive when her tire was ruined.
If you should ruin your tire along the highway, it might up to 200 miles to the nearest major centre. That is a long-distance tow.
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