Spare Tire

[PartTimeRVer]

While traveling in BFE I am always concearned about having a tire issue. My 2018 Thor Quantum did not come with a spare wheel as I was told it was basically dangerous to change and frowned upon by the manufacturer. I have the E450 Chassis and see where the tire used to be mounted and I now have plumbing in the way. I have found bumper mounts that will work for a spare and bottle jacks won't break the bank (yet).
I have AAA, tire warranty and vehicle insurance that all cover tire changes and repair. My fear is being stuck in the middle of nowhere with out cell signal and no spare. I have also heard nightmares of people having their rims destroyed by flats so the repair guy comes with a new tire but the rim is gone.
My questions are these: Do you guys have spare tires with your rigs? What do you use to jack them? Will leveling blocks support the jack in a pinch? Last, what the hell is the manufacturer doing with all our spare tires?

 

[Jeff Billingsley]

I always carried a spare on my 93 Dutchman 28' class A. I was lucky I never had to change a tire in the field. I carried mine on the roof in the back, I accessed it with a hand winch I rigged to the rear bumper. I used a 10,000 lb hydraulic jack and a 1/2 in. Dewalt impact driver for the lugs plus a four way w/ cheater pipe. I would not recommend you try it unless you are very fit as the wheels and tires are heavy and awkward. I now have a travel trailer that is super easy to change a tire.

 

[PartTimeRVer]

This is going on a class C so the wheels are not that crazy. I am just really conceared on the middle of nowhere with no cell service. I can do a whole setup around $300. Tire, wheel, and jack. Thanks for the info.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Last, what the hell is the manufacturer doing with all our spare tires?

They order the chassis without the spare. And, even on a smaller Class C, changing a tire is something of of a dicey situation; not for the faint of heart...or body.

TJ

 

[mike n sue]

I am not so worried about having a flat in bfe, more worried about a ruined rim or a ruined tire and having to purchase on the road. I am in the process of finding a tire and rim for a spare. My local tire guy said to order a rim on line and he would sell me a tire and mount it. We have a 31 class c. Our leveling jacks will lift the motor home off the ground far enough for me to place a jack stand and let the MH down on the stand. I would only attempt to change a tire myself if there was no other way...even if we had to wait hours for road service. Just my 02.my opinion, carry a spare.

 

[Calsun]

There are the "spot" satellite messenger radios (Spot, Garmin, Zoleo) that can get help where there is no cell service and the cost is not terribly high. Once we were in the middle of nowhere and without cell service and needed to make a call. By hiking to the top of the mountain I got a 3G signal and could make the call. In other places I have been able to get RxRTT service which is all that is needed to communicate via text messaging.

 

[PartTimeRVer]

I did end up putting together a spare. Thanks for all the advice. At first I was just going to buy a tire but I read about wheel issues. While not common I searched for the wheel from my coach and it took my 2 days to find the model number and that was with 2 dealerships helping me. It was $500. I in no way shape or form thought it would be that tough to locate but I now have the equipment. I found a rebuilt rim for $100 and mounted the tire on it in my garage. It is not balanced but basically designed as a 50 mile emergency spare.

 

[Calsun]

While I understand the concern about damaging an expensive wheel by driving with a flat tire I was advised by a long time highway patrol officer to drive to an off ramp and get off the highway if I had a flat tire. Too many people are killed each year while they are changing a tire along the side of the road when an inattentive driver plows into the stopped vehicle.

 

[Jerrysim]

I did end up putting together a spare. Thanks for all the advice. At first I was just going to buy a tire but I read about wheel issues. While not common I searched for the wheel from my coach and it took my 2 days to find the model number and that was with 2 dealerships helping me. It was $500. I in no way shape or form thought it would be that tough to locate but I now have the equipment. I found a rebuilt rim for $100 and mounted the tire on it in my garage. It is not balanced but basically designed as a 50 mile emergency spare.

Hi, how are you mounting your wheel/ tire to your rig? I bought a spare tire but don’t have a rim nor a mount. I don’t want to use the receiver hitch becuase I use it for bike racks so I need a way to attach it above the rear bumper. The cheap ones available online I heard won’t last too long. Thanks

 

[Btim]

I found a rebuilt rim for $100

Can you share with us where to find a rebuilt rim for the E450? I've been looking for a spare too. Ford wants over $600 for OEM spare for my 2021 chassis. I ordered one of the Chinese aftermarket rims for $100 and sent it back because it rubs on the caliper.

 

[bherron1]

Just bought a wheel on amazon about 100 bucks and a front mount receiver and tire mount spent around 350 so far all I need is a tire. Should be around 500 for everything. After a trip through the blue ridge mountains I do not want to be with out a spare ready to go. Now to practice changing that thing. Bottle jack, tire iron, cheater pipe and 2x6 ready to go.

 

[PartTimeRVer]

Can you share with us where to find a rebuilt rim for the E450? I've been looking for a spare too. Ford wants over $600 for OEM spare for my 2021 chassis. I ordered one of the Chinese aftermarket rims for $100 and sent it back because it rubs on the caliper.

So the original e450 rim part number is 8c2z-1015-g. I had a rough time finding this number so verify it is what is on your coach. With this number its relatively easy to find after market rims for the $100 price. I bought the same tire as on my coach and assembled it in my garage. Its not balanced but just needs to get me to the next stop for a true repair. This is an emergency middle of nowhere situation for me. I carry plugs so a nail would get pulled and plugged but a destroyed tire is different.

 

[PartTimeRVer]

Just bought a wheel on amazon about 100 bucks and a front mount receiver and tire mount spent around 350 so far all I need is a tire. Should be around 500 for everything. After a trip through the blue ridge mountains I do not want to be with out a spare ready to go. Now to practice changing that thing. Bottle jack, tire iron, cheater pipe and 2x6 ready to go.

Bherron1, I would like to know how your test went. I picked up a torque multiplier tool to simplify removal but really don't want to have to remove it and put it back on lol

 

[bherron1]

Got a new Hancook tire 160 bucks to match and installed on the front tire carrier worked perfect. That adds more weight up front where its needed. Used the bottle jack and did a test change. Whew thats a job but doable. Did notice I need a flat piece of steel under the bottle jack so it want bog down in soft soil or tip. The lug nuts I took off with the lug wrench no cheater bar or pipe needed but they are clean and new. Not to bad, peace of mind that we want get stranded. Dont count on road service I did road service for three years. Many things can happen that will keep you from getting road service at any time. Items used Drawtight front receiver, universal front tire mount and hitch derattler from e trailer. Wheel from amazon by the name of road something bout 100 bucks listed to fit E350 not 450. Its very close to brake caliper but dont touch. E450 caliper may be larger and touch wheel. Somebody will have to try it on a 450. Dropping front tire pressure from 80 to 75 and that little weight on the front helps the loose steering. Thats all I have done so far. I could live with it like it is but the wind and big trucks are still a pain. I may try air bags next to lift the rear about two inches soften the ride in the back and hopefully add a little more weight on the front not sure.

 

[Btim]

Wheel from amazon by the name of road something bout 100 bucks listed to fit E350 not 450. Its very close to brake caliper but dont touch. E450 caliper may be larger and touch wheel. Somebody will have to try it on a 450.

If the wheel you bought on Amazon is from Road Ready wheels, I did try it on my 2021 E450. It rubs the caliper. Sent it back for refund.

 

[bherron1]

If the wheel you bought on Amazon is from Road Ready wheels, I did try it on my 2021 E450. It rubs the caliper. Sent it back for refund.

Yep road ready thats the one

 

[PartTimeRVer]

Thanks for the update bherron. Sounds like your test went well.
Btim, I have heard the same thing about Road Ready and I contacted them directly. They told me their tires would NOT fit my needs. I read around 30 reports and these came back 50/50 with the rub complaint. I figure my luck, mine would.
Not all coaches are the same so Bherron may have a wheel that works on that coach. Now here it is my scary answer of what I bought and remember, my spare is emergency only. I bought a manufacturers original tire with part #8c2z-1015-g. I paid $111 on ebay but it is a remanufactured rim. It has held 80psi for the last 2 months so I am happy. As it is the exact part # of my original rim I am not worried about caliper rub which I read as a common problem for my coach.

 

[bherron1]

Update do not use wood to set a bottle jack on, it will split drop the motor home and kill you. That came from my 2nd test change. Got a safe jack with the bottom steel plate that locks in the larger steel plate to stop jack from sinking or tipping. Much better. 6 ton works 12 ton works better when I laying on the ground looking at what might kill me. One thing on a c class you need a shorty bottle jack less than 7 inches tall to get under the axle. My 6 and 12 ton are 9 inches compressed to tall.