One wheel too many??

Post by **rob.hardy1** » Tue May 27, 2008 10:38 pm

Just been reading about where to find an alternative place to put the spare wheel to free up valuable space when it crossed my mind, with the advent of repair kits and trying to remember the last time I every NEEDED a spare, whats the feeling of the MM masses about the need to carry a spare wheel at all?

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue May 27, 2008 10:46 pm

I certainly wouldn't be without one. I last had a puncture two months ago and my mum had one shortly before that.

Post by **polo2k** » Tue May 27, 2008 10:51 pm

evenin mate, hope your feeling better. They are not brilliant to be honest and once you have used then then the tyre will be wrecked within a couple of days (plus its nasty stuff when you change a tyre, it stinks!)
Maybe an alternative would be to get the type of puncture repair in the workshop manual and a compressor (like in the audi A2)
Not sure how legal these patches are though these days.

You could mount it on the rear door

! or the bonnet

Post by **rob.hardy1** » Tue May 27, 2008 11:12 pm

i musy be honest, most of my thoughts are based around how often i get a puncture, i suppose it depends on the type of motoring you do but i think ive had about 3 punctures in 150k miles.

Post by **polo2k** » Tue May 27, 2008 11:20 pm

take your spare out though and itll be 4 in 150,001!

Post by **StaffsMoggie** » Wed May 28, 2008 1:51 am

Anyone who drives a car without a spare wheel is an idiot. Simple as that.

Post by **ferret76** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:05 am

I saw a Moggie in New Zealand with the spare on the bonnet, it actually looked quite tough. Driver visibility was a bit of an issue. It also had a homemade sunroof so that the passenger could stand (no passenger seat) and man the flex mounted replica (wood) Bren Gun. It was painted olive drab with RAF roundels on the doors. Quite hilarious. However, to get back to the original subject, I would never go anywhere without a spare. I also carry hoses, plugs, coolant and fuel but I think that might just be due to my geographical situation.

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:20 am

ferret76 wrote:I also carry hoses, plugs, coolant and fuel but I think that might just be due to my geographical situation.

I carry the same, and lots more besides.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:42 am

You can keep a spare under the bonnet if you make suitable brakets.

If you are up to the job, you could carry an inner tube and some tyre levers. This does not help if the tyre itself is damaged, not just punctured.

With many of the temporary repair kits, they are temporary and you need to change the tyre afterwards. Some also have a speed limit when used.

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:52 am

rayofleamington wrote:You can keep a spare under the bonnet if you make suitable brakets.

Does anyone have some good photos of a car with this modification? I've been thinking it might be a way to free up enough space in the boot to fit an LPG tank.

If you are up to the job, you could carry an inner tube and some tyre levers. This does not help if the tyre itself is damaged, not just punctured.

I definitely wouldn't fancy doing that at the side of the road.

Post by **rob.hardy1** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:07 pm

Alex, how many times have you need to use the spare away from home?
I am certainly not advocating the removal of the spare but it just interests me the cost of carrying it ( someone with a better mathematical brain could probably work out how much fuel it takes to carry 15kg over 10k miles) balanced against the practicalities of needing it.

Post by **polo2k** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:09 pm

dont forget to factor in sods law. ;)

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:35 pm

Quote:
If you are up to the job, you could carry an inner tube and some tyre levers. This does not help if the tyre itself is damaged, not just punctured.

I definitely wouldn't fancy doing that at the side of the road

I had 2 tyres die the way to Gambia (one on the M25 and the 2nd off road in Mauretania). Neither tyre was saveable so I never needed the inner tube or tyre levers for this job - I just used one of the spares I'd taken. The tyre levers werre quite useful for other jobs too - like doing the torsion bar for the m/c replacement.
With the first tyre splitting I'd have missed the ferry without having a spare. With the second one I'd have been in a lot more trouble.

If you're stuck for space I'd go for under the bonnet, as you can't use the outside of the bootlid when you've got a Traveller ;-)

Post by **callyspoy** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:08 pm

hi folks, dad has his under the bonnet, now, he isnt exactly great with presentation but it is definitely practical. he cut out the T bar in the boot and his is now massive(by comparison!) if you would like a pic i can get one sorted.

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:10 pm

callyspoy wrote:hi folks, dad has his under the bonnet, now, he isnt exactly great with presentation but it is definitely practical. he cut out the T bar in the boot and his is now massive(by comparison!) if you would like a pic i can get one sorted.

Yes please. Has he done anything to reinforce the bonnet, hinges, catch, prop, etc. to take the extra weight? Has he found any problems with the arrangement?

Post by **callyspoy** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:24 pm

ok, just took photos, camera is dead, so waiting for it to charge so i can put pics on here. in regards to your questions, he hasnt had to change anything in terms of strengthening. and there have been no problems, bar the weight and us being a little bit soft!!

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:38 pm

callyspoy wrote:no problems, bar the weight and us being a little bit soft!!

It can't be as bad as a Landy with bonnet-mounted spare!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:05 pm

There was an article done for Tech Tips in the club mag. If I could remember which year, it might help, otherwise try Tech Tips bloke directly (Rob Thomason) for a copy of the article / diagram.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:22 pm

I would worry about the bonnet hinges - but an option may be to carry a lightweight 'spacesaver' tyre there. Yes I know the pcd won't be quite right - but may be ok for a temporary spare at very much reduced speed if you drill 4 holes at the correct 4" pcd - pitched 45 degrees round from the originals.Of course - this moves weight from front to rear, and it's already pretty nose-heavy!

Post by **callyspoy** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:32 pm

dads bonnet and boot. pretty basic, pretty grubby, but effective.