Spare tire

Sharon

2
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: 5/2012
Model: 2100
ModelYear: 2018
Slide: Yes
IntColor: oak
ExtColor: white
Location: Redmond, WA

Hi, We bought a used 2018 Phoenix Cruiser a year ago and have had it out several times and love it. We are concerned however, about the fact that it came with no spare tire and I'm not sure we would have a place to put one except maybe on the roof? We are equipped with a tire inflator and the goop you put it a flat tire for a temporary fix. Is this enough or should we pursue getting, and rigging a place, for a spare tire? I'm not sure of the brand but the size of our existing tires : LT225/75R16.
Thank you, Sharon H

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Engineerlt

Re: Spare tire

« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2022, 02:33:43 pm »

Hello Sharon
I think people are more inclined to call for road service and have them bring out a new tire. My PC has a spare tire (rear cap is made for it) but I know that doesn't help you. If you have a tire inflator, a plugging kit and some tire goop as you call it you have probably done all you can due. To get a spare tire up on the roof would be a job, then having it ride up on the roof may not be the best. The roof uses aluminum square tubing and its not probably the best to have something heavy on it while traveling down the road. Aluminum is stiffer than steel and is more susceptible to cracking so any flexing due to the weight of the tire may cause some damage. I do believe that the tire size is very common and there probably wouldn't be a big issue getting one while on the road.

Very Respectfully
Lance

« Last Edit: March 19, 2022, 02:36:37 pm by Engineerlt »

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Sharon

2
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: 5/2012
Model: 2100
ModelYear: 2018
Slide: Yes
IntColor: oak
ExtColor: white
Location: Redmond, WA

Re: Spare tire

« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2022, 02:36:48 pm »

Thanks! Appreciate your knowledge!

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Ron Dittmer

5647
Ron and Irene
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: June 2007
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2007
Slide: No
IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
ExtColor: Full Body Gray
Location: N/E Illinois

Re: Spare tire

« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2022, 07:01:02 am »

I agree with EngineerIt/Lance.

I would carry a tire-plugging kit like this one. Plugging a tire puncture from a nail or screw offers an on-vehicle repair. A cut or blow-out would require a replacement tire. Many slow-leak flats are caused by the valve extensions leaking, so carrying a tire kit with a pump will cover the worst of the threat. I carry this tire repair kit but have not yet used it on our PC.

I have lots of experience plugging tires on regular automobiles where I volunteer. It's a great repair for that application. But for a high pressure tire like a motorhome, I would plug & fill the tire on-site, then buy a new tire at the next large city during your travels.

I shy away from using a pressurized can sealing product because of potential damage to the wheel. The problem is that the tire center never spends the time required to clean all the sealant off the steel or alloy wheel. The moisture in the sealant rusts the wheel from the inside-out. I speak from experience. I bought a used car that a previous owner used a sealant from a pressurized can.

« Last Edit: March 20, 2022, 07:17:58 am by Ron Dittmer »

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Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

WillLloyd

216
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: Feb/2017
Model: 2910
ModelYear: 2016
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Pebble
ExtColor: Grey
Location: Virginia

Re: Spare tire

« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2022, 07:30:17 am »

A tire plug-in kit is a good idea. But you need to spend the money and buy a quality kit that comes with all metal tools, I mean the reamer and the plug installing tool. If one of those plastic handles breaks while you’re using it the metal piece goes right to your hand.

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Engineerlt

Re: Spare tire

« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2022, 08:18:30 am »

Hello WillLoyd
That sounds like a very painful situation, sticking the reamer shaft into your hand because the plastic handle broke. I actually never thought of that, I carry a plugging kit and its one of those with the plastic handle. Maybe I should invest a little money into a quality plugging kit.

Very Respectfully
Lance

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Volkemon

1061
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: October 31, 2017
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2006
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Light Maple
ExtColor: White
Location: Space Coast Florida

Re: Spare tire

« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2022, 10:21:14 am »

Quote from: WillLloyd on March 20, 2022, 07:30:17 am

A tire plug-in kit is a good idea. But you need to spend the money and buy a quality kit that comes with all metal tools, I mean the reamer and the plug installing tool. If one of those plastic handles breaks while you’re using it the metal piece goes right to your hand.

Been thee, done that.

IF you are serious about carrying a tire plug kit, especially for LT (Light Truck) series tires, dont waste the space carrying the cheap stuff. This is a good LOOKING kit, and very reasonably priced. ~$20.

https://www.amazon.com/Tooluxe-50002L-Universal-Punctures-Motorcycles/dp/B002I52RG0?th=1

Here is the best kit IMO. Twice the money and more. ~$45 I have had one of these for years. Dumped the plastic box, keep it all in a small Tupperware container.

https://www.amazon.com/Safety-Seal-KAP30-String-Storage/dp/B001DIECCK/ref=asc_df_B001DIECCK

I have put in hundreds of tire plugs. Safety seal/ North Shore Lab plugs are THE ONLY ones I trust now. They do not dry out. They do not 'work' their way out. Double them up for the HUGE 'Plug cant fix that' holes. Removed a 2" long 5/16" bolt (!!) from the fertilizer truck tire. Big 24" truck tire. Used two plugs. It held, and passed a bubble test at 100PSI.

My experience... skinny black tire plugs are the worst. Spit out like a watermelon seed even when used in golf cart tires at 22 PSI. Orange and fatter can be better, but suspect. IF its for YOU, Safety Seal/North Shore Labs. Cry ONCE.

Little hint on installation: Use the lube. And also add several razor blades in the kit.

https://www.amazon.com/Single-Industrial-Razor-Blades-REXBETI/dp/B07GJ88YVV/ref=asc_df_B07GJ88YVV

Some come in little envelopes like this, others in cardboard sleeves. Soak them with some WD-40, and put 10 or so in a baggie. After installing the plug, trim the 'tails' sticking out so they are flush to the tread. This will ensure a repair that lasts.

If you carry a plug kit for emergencies, make it a good one before you add another emergency to an already lousy situation.

Even if its not your hand injured, what will you do with a broken plastic handle in one hand, and the steel shaft poking out of your tire?

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fandj

345
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
Model: 2552
ModelYear: 2016
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Graystone
ExtColor: Nightscape - full body
Location: Virginia

Re: Spare tire

« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2022, 01:07:53 pm »

Volkemon, thanks for your experience and suggestion as to a proper tire plug repair kit. I just added it to my next Amazon order. I have a spare tire but I doubt I could handle the task of changing now. Perhaps in my younger days.

As a youngster working in a service station I plugged many a tubeless tire and patched many tubes prior to that. I expect I could still plug a tire if type of tire failure allowed but jacking and wrestling heavy wheels/tires probably not.

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WillLloyd

216
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: Feb/2017
Model: 2910
ModelYear: 2016
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Pebble
ExtColor: Grey
Location: Virginia

Re: Spare tire

« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2022, 07:46:32 pm »

Lots of good information on this list. I’ve got the more expensive kit but I need to check it and make sure it’s got the better plugs in it. Thanks.

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2 Lucky

393
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: 02/27/18
Model: 2551
ModelYear: 2010
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IntColor: Cherry
ExtColor: Classic Umber
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado

Re: Spare tire

« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2022, 02:00:15 pm »

I've heard that if the flat is on the front, you can swap one dually and drive slow to a permanent repair.. If the flat is on the back, leave it and limp to a repair. Correct me if wrong.
Or call AAA. That's my solution.

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Riding the fine line between bravery and stupidity since infancy.

Volkemon

1061
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: October 31, 2017
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2006
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Light Maple
ExtColor: White
Location: Space Coast Florida

Re: Spare tire

« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2022, 10:53:58 am »

Quote from: 2 Lucky on March 21, 2022, 02:00:15 pm

I've heard that if the flat is on the front, you can swap one dually and drive slow to a permanent repair.. If the flat is on the back, leave it and limp to a repair. Correct me if wrong.
Or call AAA. That's my solution.

AAA rocks, but if no cell service....

I like having the spare, even if I cannot physically change it another person may come by who can. I have been that person in the past.

Best argument for having a spare and the tools to change it I know of. ( Likewise a basic tool kit and spare fuses, etc. A good Samaritan can be a GREAT Samaritan if the pieces are there to complete a fix.)

Not to mention I love the look of the spare on the back of a PC. Classic and distinctive. But no accounting for taste, right?

As a 'no other options' solution, swapping out a tire from the rear may get you to a repair shop. If you are travelling fully laden, I would transfer weight to the front and intact dually side. Transfer weight to the towed vehicle/trailer if you have one. * Dump all tanks. Remember, this is a 'no other options' scenario, OF COURSE you should NEVER just dump tanks on the side of the road. But if you feel your health or safety is at risk, do what you must.

*send passenger in toad with the bad tire to get fixed? If alone, and if leaving everything on the side of the road is OK, take the bad tire to get fixed with the toad. Having a spare vehicle obviously makes things easier...

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Ron Dittmer

5647
Ron and Irene
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: June 2007
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2007
Slide: No
IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
ExtColor: Full Body Gray
Location: N/E Illinois

Re: Spare tire

« Reply #11 on: March 22, 2022, 12:52:21 pm »

Keep in-mind that a Ford E350 and E450 spare tire with a standard Ford steel wheel, weighs 83 pounds. For some people, that is too heavy to handle, but you can often find a good Samaritan.

Having the spare tire in the far back like we have in our 2007 model, is the worst possible place with regards to weight distribution. I think that is one reason why Phoenix deleted that compartment in recent years. But still I like having the spare there. I suppose a front-mounted spare would be ideal, but I won't consider it.

When Phoenix redesigned the rear wall to delete the spare tire provision, they should have retained such a compartment to accommodate either a spare tire or other large bulky items, for example, zero-gravity chairs. This way the owner can decide for himself whether to carry a spare or utilize the larger square compartment for something else. Carrying a spare tire is ideal for longer trips through and to remote locations, but maybe not otherwise.

« Last Edit: March 22, 2022, 12:55:13 pm by Ron Dittmer »

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Ron (& Irene) Dittmer