ADVICE NEEDED ON SPARE WHEEL
I have a Bailey Senator S6 2008 model. when I purchased it earlier this year it came with 2 brand new tyres. Anyway I thought recently that before I head off South on the big one I need to take a look at the spare. As it happens the spare is as old as the van but still has the new sticker on it. Now I know the issues with old tyres, cracks through standing, sun damage etc but this tyre has been under the van since new, never been used and apart from the dirt looks perfect. My question is.. would it be OK to use it as a spare in an emergency or should I bite the bullet and replace it.
I am not one for taking chances at any price but on this one i would like a second or third opinion please.
Many thanks
Comments
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Personally I would change it. It is not as though we are talking lots of money. Even though under the van it has been subject to variations in temperature, humidity, salt spray etc. Also you say only to use as a spare in an emergency. Depending where the emergency is and how easy it is to source a replacement, it could be on the van for a fair distance. In the end it is down to personal choice. I may be wrong but I don't think there is any legal requirement.
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My spare is always the best of the old tyres when I buy a new set.
I can't afford a new 'van/MH every year....however I always treat my spare as an emergency tyre.
If ever it's used it is changed at the first opportunity....but only used once in over 50 years....so I saved a bit on 'spares'
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Or look at it this way. How many times as a car owner have you replaced an unused spare?
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Depends how long I have had the car. With present car I replaced the spare when I first replaced front tyres. Spare went on front with one new tyre. Best of the old became spare. At around 8 years when I had a flat on front I replaced both tyres and best became the new spare. At 12 year old snap coil spring wrote of tyre. Yep replaced both and best became spare. Fortunately all 5 wheels alloys with same size tyres.
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I'd not change the spare, Bongo, but if I needed to use it I'd drive with caution at a reduced speed and put the 'proper' wheel back on as soon as I could.
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Reminds me of when I was an apprentice in the 70's. Part of a full service for some Rootes Group makes was to swap the tyres around with one becoming the new spare.
Having worked all my life in vehicle repair industry I have never been inclined to mix tyres on the same axle. a part worn and a new one of the same make will still have a slightly different rolling radius and if fitted on the front can cause slight issues. Many a time in the past I have cured a steering wander / pull problem just by swapping the rear wheels and tyres for the front ones.
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I had my spare tyre changed due to its age as I did not consider the risk of retaining the old tyre worth taking for the sake of the £60 it cost to replace it.
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Well the consensus seems to be to keep it
so...given that the weather is a bit crap at the moment and the holiday is on hold, I will agree and just keep it for this year at at leastthanks everyone
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I've relocated my spare to a bag under the fixed bed, so it's nice and snug away from salt/dirt/sun/insurrection or locked-out workers.
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Should it be used, no.
It is 10 years old, its made of rubber, it has perished.
MOT needs to be brought into line with rest of the world and fail anything over 5 years old.
The Caravan Club offers the following advice, which can also be used for trailers:
“As a general rule, it is advised that caravan tyres should ideally be replaced when 5 years old, and should never be used when more than 7 years old. This advice is borne out by the Club’s own research into caravan tyre failures, which confirms that the likelihood of a tyre problem increases after such age. Our research further suggests that tyres which need a high inflation pressure (say 50psi or more) require greater care still. Such tyres should be closely examined for signs of deterioration from 3 years old, and it would be strongly advised not to use them beyond 5 years old. It is not the case that all tyres over these ages will rapidly fail. However, the statistical likelihood of a problem occurring increases noticeably with age. Given the disruption to your holiday that a tyre failure could cause (let alone the risk involved), it is strongly recommended that you follow this guidance.”
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For me the spare is to get me a short distance, say onto my destination, to then replace the road wheel, much the role space savers are designed to fulfil.
No, I would not push on doing 400 > 600 miles on Autoroutes up with the flow, but 25 > 50 miles on to my home or holiday location I would have no issues with running on my 10 year old spare.
I inspect it every year, its external walls look as fresh as new, it lives in the front locker away from UV etc; if I had any doubts it would get changed tomorrow, but so far I am happy with what I find.
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"MOT needs to be brought into line with rest of the world and fail anything over 5 years old."
Which countries apply that then, France & Spain don't . I know this from friends who own classic cars in both countries I would be interested to know who does. What about all the other safety critical parts that are made of rubber? They are only ever replaced due to failure or visible deterioration, i.e. steering & suspension components.
All a MOT means is the vehicle presented for test met the Minimum criteria set out when inspected.
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My experience of the Alko spare wheel holder is that often the wheel is fitted so the tyre walls touch the tube and cause indentations. Under these conditions I would not use the spare, whatever the age. Mine was less than 2 years old when I found this, and on the following caravan it was delivered like this! A tyre will last longer than the prescribed 5 years if not in the sunlight, and not sitting under load in one position for extended periods so a well looked after spare should be good for a few extra years.
As an add on my wifes car is 12 years old and still has the original tyres on the back, visually they are perfect! But these do not take anything like the load that a caravan tyre has to.
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I always replace all three, five year life equals ten pence a week,even on my pension I can manage that.
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If you have a blow out and change the wheel, I'm sure you could safely drive to a tyre changing depot to have it changed. Towns are very rarely more than 20 miles apart. Blow outs are not only caused by old tyres, sometimes it is rubbish on our roads which birst even brand new tyres.
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.... I agree with Easy 
