Debate Between Husband and Wife regarding:

Submitted: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 16:26
ThreadID: 22898 Views:3033 Replies:11 FollowUps:5
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Hi fellow travellers,
Need some verification on an issue which has been of hot topic between us over the time setting up our vehicle for our trip.
The topic is do we have enough spares for our trip?At the present time we have a dual spare wheel carrier with BFG muddies on sunraiser rims and one spare on the camper trailer.All the tyres are interchangable from trailer to vehicle for obvious reasons.
The debate has been continual in the sense that we can't agree whether to also have one on top of the roof rack as well. Our reasoning for this is simply to have two spares at any given time if by chance we are unfortunite to have flat tyres on our trip .

Can anyone put some other comments for and against for this issue so we can resolve this debate once and for all.

Other factors
1: Travelling alone with kids
2: We are very capable people who can make the best out of any situation but like to cover all bases.

Regards
Troopytrek

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Reply By: flappa - Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 16:37

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 16:37
I only have 2 spares. One of the vehicle , and one on the CT. Both wheels and tyres fit either.

Its been suggested to me thats plenty , but in need , just chuck a tyre carcas on the roof , rather then a whole wheel. Cuts down on weight.

Its fair easier to get a wheel put onto a rim , then to try and source a new tyre.
AnswerID: 110842

Reply By: ian - Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 16:43

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 16:43
Troopytrek,
My circumstances are the same as yours. I carry 3 spares total, and sometimes a tyre case as well as even more back-up.. Had lots of flats and go to rough country, but I have never needed any more. I would leave the roof wheel at home.
Ian
AnswerID: 110844

Reply By: Max - Sydney - Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 16:44

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 16:44
Hi Troopytrek

We did 100,000 km with a camper trailer behind our 80 series. We have two spares on the car and one on the trailer - and interchangable. We have never used the second spare on the car - ever. I occasionally take it off, clean and check it, and put it back.

Most we have ever had "let down" at any one time was two tyres - and that only went down while we were waiting at Mt Barnett to get the first one fixed. The BFG A/Ts were on their last legs at that point (subsequently replaced them at Kununurra).

We found overall that driving sensibly (=slowly & care with picking line and stop before all creek crossings no matter how many or how easy looking) avoided damaging tyres. We did, among others, the "block" with lots of rough roads, and the Canning (without the trailer) and a trip up the Ghan line & on to a Kimberley loop with that set up.

I reckon you will be fine as you are.

Enjoy the planning!
Max
AnswerID: 110845

Follow Up By: John - Qld - Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 19:25

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 19:25
Geez Max you should put your travels on a website with that many k's. Have you got a travel diary?

We are endeavouring to do same with our trailer and if I could just workout how to download your wealth of knowledge into my head........ :)

John
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FollowupID: 367313

Follow Up By: Max - Sydney - Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 20:28

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 20:28
Thanks John - I'm not sure that our experience is all that special. We just keep on making mistakes and getting out of strife somehow and enjoying the great outback.

Only stuff I've put on the web was a few photos of a Kimberley trip in 2003 - its at http://au.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/janmax2002au/album?.dir=86b1&.src=ph

if you'd like to have a look.

:-) Max

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FollowupID: 367325

Reply By: johnsy1 - Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 16:47

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 16:47
Thats heaps of tyres ; remember you can always buy one in a city and have it shipped by bus freight to where ever you are.I worked in the bush and only ever had 2 mounted spares and didnt have any dramas.
AnswerID: 110846

Reply By: Alan S (NSW) - Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 16:59

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 16:59
I think you have plenty, if it all goes wrong you have 5 spares to get you and the family out of trouble and leave the trailer behind
AnswerID: 110851

Reply By: Member - Troopytrek - Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 19:41

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 19:41
Thank you all for you're responses, we have now come to a reasonable decision and that is to follow you're advise.

As some of you have said we can if in a delema get another tyre along the way or get one delivered to us if necessary by friends as we have the tyres stored at home anyway.

Thanks once again.

Regards
Troopytrek
AnswerID: 110888

Follow Up By: Pluto - Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 23:07

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 23:07
Troopytrek

You havent mentioned tyre repair gear. It takes an awfull lot to render a tyre unrepairable, so it may be a better move to include bead breaker, tyre levers and a patch kit to ensure continued mobility. It's also lighter and takes less space than an extra spare.
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FollowupID: 367348

Follow Up By: Member - Troopytrek - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 15:06

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 15:06
We have already addresed this issue as part of the respective emergency kit for the trip.

Troopytrek
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FollowupID: 367420

Reply By: D-Jack - Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 21:41

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 21:41
Get a tyre plier kit (or R&R bead breaker if you decide after reading the past posts) and carry only 2 spares for the car. Pretty unlucky if you did 4 tyres all of which couldn't be repaired (which is the situation which would leave you stuck) Changing and repairing tyres is pretty easy with a bit of practice (I've never had to change one outbush but changed a couple now at home and managed) Doesn't take much room (much less than a spare carcass or wheel)

D-Jack
AnswerID: 110917

Reply By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 11:36

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 11:36
G'day Troopytreck,

Mate, as with the springs had to buy another case in Weipa. The main issue was that they had to truck it in which meant an extra 3 days. I now carry 2 spares (trailer and car same size but slightly different offset), a spare case on the roof, 2 tubes, puncture repair kit (plugs and truck like patches), tyre pliers and 2 compressors.

Kind regards
AnswerID: 110977

Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 13:52

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 13:52
I reckon if you have room on the rack ,just take a tyre only, and of course your two spares. An extra spare tyre may even help some other poor soul out on the way if you dont use it yourself.. michael
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AnswerID: 111001

Reply By: Keith_A (Qld) - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 19:07

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 19:07
What is the feeling on a can of 'Tyre Weld' or 'PSssst' - eg the pressure can of liquid polymer, as (temporary) puncture repair?
Could be handy for nail/screw type puncture - till next main town.
( I hear the Mercedes 4WD doesn't come with a spare tyre - only a can of this type of product).
Anyone had experience with using it (the can - not the benz)?
AnswerID: 111041

Reply By: colin - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 22:14

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 22:14
hhi troopy, it all comes down to the quality of the tyres that you run. A lot of tyres on the market couldnt handle most ossy conditions so more spares needed. Also short trips 1 spare may be enough. Col
AnswerID: 111103

Follow Up By: Member - Troopytrek - Friday, May 13, 2005 at 09:44

Friday, May 13, 2005 at 09:44
BFG muddies 285/75 on 16X8 alloy rims are the tyres we are running and we have always used the muddies as we have found they are good for all areas we go to.

Troopytrek
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FollowupID: 367563

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