The Spare Tyre Debate: To Carry, or Not to Carry?

Whilst chatting to folk about touring Europe and the UK the subject of spare tyres came up, specifically, whether we should actually be carrying them, especially when travelling outside of the UK.

If your motorhome doesn’t have a spare wheel, don’t panic. It is not unusual. In fact, many modern motorhomes don’t come with a spare wheel at all when they leave the factory. Manufacturers often omit them to save weight (which helps with your all-important payload allowance), keep costs down, and reclaim space that would otherwise be taken up by the mounting mechanism. Instead, you usually get a tyre repair kit, a bottle of sealant (the infamous “gunk”) and a small compressor.

Which is all very well… but is that really what you want to be relying on if you get a puncture halfway up a mountain in France?

The Argument FOR Carrying a Spare

The obvious advantage is that a proper spare can get you moving again after damage that a repair kit simply can’t fix. Tyre sealant is great for small tread punctures, but it can’t magically repair a shredded tyre, a damaged sidewall, or a blowout. If you are somewhere remote, or somewhere your exact size or specification of tyre isn’t readily available, having a spare with you could save a lot of time and hassle.

The Realities (The "But...")

A spare wheel isn’t always the perfect solution it’s cracked up to be:

• The Weight Penalty: Motorhomes are often right at their maximum weight limit. A spare wheel and tyre can easily take a noticeable chunk out of your remaining payload.

• Storage Struggles: You have to find somewhere to put it. Many modern motorhomes don't have an under-chassis mount, meaning it takes up valuable space in your garage or storage lockers.

• The "Can You Change It?" Question: For most of us, the honest answer is "no." Changing a wheel on a heavy, fully laden motorhome on the side of a busy road is not only physically difficult, it can be downright dangerous. For many, a spare wheel is there for the breakdown recovery team to use, but even then, if you’re stuck on a narrow, dangerous verge, they may have to tow you to a safer location anyway.

Important Note: If you do carry a spare, make sure it’s checked and maintained regularly. It’s not just the tyre pressure that matters; you need to check the cage, the mechanism, and the tools (jack and wheel brace) to ensure they aren’t rusted solid. There’s nothing worse than having a spare you can’t get down!

What If You Don't Carry a Spare?

If you’re in the boat with the rest of us and don’t have a spare, your first step is simple: go and look at what you’ve got. Discovering that your bottle of tyre sealant expired three years ago while you’re standing beside a flat tyre is probably not going to improve your day.

I had this entire conversation with myself before I went to Sweden. Travelling so far alone made me anxious about not being prepared, and I wanted to be as ready as possible. Here is my setup to combat the risk:

1. Fit Decent Tyres I’ve used Michelin CrossClimates for years and I refuse to fit anything else. They’ve served me well in snow, muddy fields, leaves, ice, and horrendous rain. Good tyres are your first line of defence against punctures.

2. Carry a Decent 12v Tyre Inflator These aren’t just for punctures. Motorhome tyres run at relatively high pressures, so being able to check and inflate them when on a long trip is really helpful—it saves you from having to hunt down a garage that can actually accommodate a large vehicle. I recommend looking for a heavy-duty, cordless, rechargeable model so you aren't tied to the vehicle's battery or limited by cable length.

3. An In-Date Puncture Repair/Sealant Kit If your motorhome came with sealant, check the expiry date. Remember, this is a temporary fix. Make sure you know how to use it before you actually need to use it.

4. A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) This is a gadget I highly recommend. A slow puncture can be almost impossible to detect in a big, heavy vehicle until it’s too late. An aftermarket TPMS has sensors that fit onto each valve and a display in the cab showing the pressure and temperature of each tyre. If one starts dropping, you can pull over and investigate before it becomes a blowout.

The Bottom Line

Even if you carry a spare, good breakdown cover is non-negotiable. Whether you have a spare wheel or a repair kit, the reality is that for most of us, the safest option when things go wrong is to call in the professionals.

Do you carry a spare? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear how you handle this in your own setup. Stay safe and happy travels!

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