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Topic: time for a new spare tire? (Read 37 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: time for a new spare tire?
Reply #26 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159208
"The plywood ceiling of the compartment in question, is the same plywood that supports the passenger side cushion." If this is really the way things exist, LD has made some major changes in the structure of the rear couches. On my 2005 MB the passenger side seat cushion did not sit on the plywood that is the top of the storage compartment. The cushion sat on a slide-out platform that is above the plywood top of the storage compartment. The platform had a solid surface; was not an open frame. To access, or even see, the plywood top of the storage compartment you had to remove the platform. The platform was held in place by a "sliding stop block" that was visible on the ceiling of the storage compartment. The block kept the platform from tipping forward. If the stop block was removed the platform could be tipped forward (after removing the cushion) which allowed removal of the two-piece plywood top of the storage compartment.
I thought that this was a great way to access the spare tire. With the top of the storage compartment removed you could just lift the tire vertically out of the compartment. I was working on plans to implement this access when I traded off my MB. The nice feature of this access to the spare tire was that it allowed you to put the "dead" tire back into the storage compartment. If you have Tireman, Borg, or other long tire stems installed, the "dead" tire will not pass through the storage compartment door and you are forced to carry it inside the coach. (I also carried a spare set of radiator hoses and spare serpentine belt on top of my spare tire. The rear of the compartment was where I put all the things that were used only in emergencies.) One of the special things I asked LD about doing on a new MB was to implement a "quick release sliding stop block" for the couch slide-out platform. It was a very simple modification, but they declined to do it.

"Then a creative guy, showed me how he simply attached a long flexible extension to the spare,"

I've had a flexible extension like this in both of my coaches. The ones I used were called "Chek-A-Tire" available at Getagauge.com. On the MB I mounted the "filling end" of the extension in a small bracket just inside the compartment door. I did not have to drag the compressor air hose inside the coach. My current coach has the spare on a swing-down platform under the coach.so the end of the extension is on a bracket near the side of the coach.

Someone in this group pointed me at these extensions about 2006.

Doug
Re: time for a new spare tire?
Reply #27 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159223
Found my e450 front hitch receiver on amazon a number of years ago.

Lori Y 2011 24FL
Lori Y
2011 24FL
Re: time for a new spare tire?
Reply #29 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159238
"The plywood ceiling of the compartment in question, is the same plywood that supports the passenger side cushion." "If this is really the way things exist, LD has made some major changes in the structure of the rear couches. On my 2005 MB the passenger side seat cushion did not sit on the plywood that is the top of the storage compartment. The cushion sat on a slide-out platform that is above the plywood top of the storage compartment. " You are correct. I should have clarified my statement by saying "first pull the slide out part all the way out". And then the plywood you see is the compartment ceiling.
Ed
Re: time for a new spare tire?
Reply #30 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159241
Recently decided to check insulation of the large outside compartment of our '04 front lounge, and found construction similar under the couch as with the MB - just a 1/8" sheet of plywood under the sliding couch platform to form the ceiling of the compartment. However, in the FL, this outside compartment extends down below floor level to the bottom of the lower compartment, so is uninsulated from below. LD did insulate the upper three sides with 3/4 foamboard, but not the top, presumably assuming the couch cushion would be adequate for that. However, with the air gaps and the potential for leakage air flow, I decided insulating and sealing the compartment top would be the best solution. I cut a pair of press-fit slabs of 1/2" R-5 foamboard to fit between the 1.5" compartment ceiling 'joists', then glued them to the 1/8" plywood cover, and caulked the perimeter before screwing it back down.

For good measure, I also added automatic LED lights to both compartments on that side before buttoning up the project.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: time for a new spare tire?
Reply #31 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159243
Ok this will probably be heresy to some but has anyone considered ditching the spare? As motorcycle riders we have always carried supplies to temporarily fix a flat since carrying a spare is not possible. Plus in 45+ years of owning vehicles I have never had a flat. An occasional slow leak but never a flat.
2004 MB
Re: time for a new spare tire?
Reply #32 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159244
In 23 years of owning LDs, we have had two. Blowouts! Nothing left to repair. And pushing it to the next tire repair is not an option....

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: time for a new spare tire?
Reply #33 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159245
JMHO, but I wouldn't travel without a good spare tire, kept fully aired to 80 pounds. To me, the necessity of having a functional spare on hand is just one "prep step" under having an emergency road service contract with a driver who shows up to change the flat/blown tire!

As ever, YMMV.

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: time for a new spare tire?
Reply #34 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159246
If you do not venture far from civilization, it might be an option.
If you pull a toad, the tools and strength to remove and transport the flat to the nearest tire store, have at it.
Most of us do not fit into the above category, so we carry spares.

We have had two flats, the last twenty years. One was at the far north end of Death Valley, over a 120 mies away from the nearest tire shop. I was very happy to have a good spare and the tools needed to replace it.

Some flats can be repaired on the road. I carry a patch kit that is good for plugging holes in the tread area.

Many times a flat can be plugged without removing it.
A hole, in the sidewall of the tire, is the kiss of death, requiring a new tire.
An air compressor or the CO2 tank is used to refill the repaired flat.

What do you mean MC riders do not carry spare tires? I have seen many expedition types (BMWs mostly) with a spare tire bunched up and tied on to the rear rack.
It all depends on how far away from civilization you travel and how self-sufficient you want to be.
Carrying a spare and tools lets us be a little bit more that way. The little we would gain by not carrying a spare does not seem worth it, YMMV

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: time for a new spare tire?
Reply #35 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159248
Also fix a flat goes in the tire as a slow drying liquid. Some of it covers the tire and patches the leak. Some of it dries on the wheel - hidden by the tire. The stuff on the wheel makes a heck of a mess and messes with the wheel balance until it is cleaned off.
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: time for a new spare tire?
Reply #36 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159250
Fix a Flat is a last chance type of repair. The goop covers everything inside, and many tire shops will not attempt a repair, if the tire has any sealing liquid in it.
Check out what a new tire cost and you may op for keeping the spare.

Plugging the hole, from the outside or patching the tire, from the inside, are the prefered methods of repair.

Some cars come today with run-flat tires, others come with a can of Fix a Flat. Both are attempts to lower the weight and production coast of the vehicle. Same goes for the mini-spare tire.
If your toad has one of these, and you travel in out of the way places, consider replacing it with a full size spare, if the storage room is available.
Carrying a booster battery isn't a bd idea either.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze