Anyone used the spare wheel recently?

[jimed]

I am planning a trip this coming weekend with 2 in the car plus some luggage and am going through the thoughts re split roof (will it pour in if I get a really wet period?), getting the normal roof in the Griff boot and can it be sensibly used with some luggage and maybe the spare wheel, and also do I take the spare wheel or just rely on the sealant stuff (recovery service will only take you locally with this so might get stuck for a day to await replacement tyre which in some parts of Scotland might not be too quick - certainly for the right sort) - anyway re the take the spare option I have just realised (DOH!!) that as the car is now 19 years old the spare is that as well as it has not had a new tyre on it I am fairly sure so is it safe?
Hmm! OK it has not been in direct sunlight like a tyre on the car might be and grip/driving experience is awful anyway so some reduction in grip could be OK as have to drive slowly anyway but would it get me a few miles in the hopefully unlikely need to use it?? So has anyone actually used the spare wheel with the skinny tyre in the recent past and how did it get on?? Did you go far, sort of roads etc.? Maybe some smooth motorway type driving slowly might be Ok but then country roads - suspect the answer is not to use it but getting one and fitted in the next few days might not be that simple as I am fairly busy this week so any experience appreciated ....
Jim

[fausTVR]

Can't help with that I'm afraid, but I wonder is it the rear wheel diameter or the front? I only ask as the diff wouldn't like odd diameters on the axle I would think.

ETA. It's a daft question, a diff is made for that reason.

Edited by fausTVR on Sunday 3rd July 19:56

[Pupp]

I have had to use one on a Chim... it got me out of a hole and happily was a rear that failed so no issue with brake clearance on the front - suspect many with brake conversions forget the space saver will no longer fit.
I do also carry a can of sealanf but also have a clever plugging kit ftrom the motorcycle world... recommended as it enables a repair to be effected without demounting the tyre provided it's a common nail or screw in the tread job and a pump is available. Supposed to be temporary but used it several times now and never seen one fail after inxsrtion so would happily complete a tour etc at sensible speed.

[N7GTX]

Pupp said:

I have had to use one on a Chim... it got me out of a hole and happily was a rear that failed so no issue with brake clearance on the front - suspect many with brake conversions forget the space saver will no longer fit.

To overcome the larger brake conversion, you need the space saver from a Ford Focus ST170 which is different from the standard spare wheel. I used one of these and it clears the front 300mm brake conversion with no problems.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FOCUS-ST170-ALLOY-S...

[magpies]

This is the SR170 space saver up against the 225/45/17 - same diameter

[phillpot]

Pupp said:

used it several times now and never seen one fail

How many punctures do you get!!!

[jimed]

Think you are right Philpott - don't really get them and even less so with new tyres so probably not an issue but all part of the what do I take with me so experience with people using the old spare is useful.
Jim

[Pupp]

phillpot said:

How many punctures do you get!!!

Couple of bikes and cars at any one time over 20+ years, doing significant mileages plus friends and family... problem?

[phillpot]

Pupp said:

... problem?

Not at all, but then it's not me getting all the punctures.


Was just thinking how unfortunate you are to have had "several" punctures when they are generally very few and far between these days.

[glenrobbo]

From personal experience, I would recommend always taking the space saver.

In 2012, the day before setting off for Classic Spa, I hit a pothole in an Essex back road. It resulted in a burst sidewall and buckled wheel, and no cans of sealant or plug-in strips would be able to seal a 1" split! The space saver enabled me to get my car to a wheel repair specialist who managed to get it sorted in time for our Eurotour to Spa.

Another Eurotour, this time in the Swiss Alps, one of our S Clubbers had a sudden tyre deflation caused by the Schrader valve failing. Once again the good old space saver saved the day, he was able to get to a garage to get it mended and continue with the best driving day we have ever experienced.

Just sayin'.

[jimed]

That is just what I was pondering Glenrobbo, and as the breakdown people always require you to carry the spare that came with the car they could get tricky and not give support in the event of a problem - ie. One that the sealant won't fix.I'm still not decided but currently favouring going with the cut roof as it was waterproof when I put the car out the other day as a trial when it was seriously pouring down - and no leak!! The forecast is for some showers over the weekend so not roof off weather and we will be with friends, so not using the car, then a couple of days elsewhere where the forecast looks like roof off .....could be v nice! Keeping my eye on the forecast and fingers crossed.
Jim

[glenrobbo]

Jim, for future trips, have you thought about getting a Surrey folding roof? Pricey, but saves a lot of stowage space.

Edited by glenrobbo on Wednesday 6th July 00:46

[jimed]

I looked at that a couple of years ago but I tend to sit quite straight up in the car and being reasonably tall the tension bar on the roof was almost touching the top of my head so didn't think that was what I wanted so no use for me.
Jim