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Towing caravan whilst using space saver spare

4612 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  Pegasus, 
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Does anyone know if it's safe to tow a caravan whilst having to use a space saver spare wheel.
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I'm no expert, but I'd assume using a space saver would not be recommended - I know towing on the continent often requires you carry a full size spare by law...

I'm sure someone with more towing experience will be along soon to confirm!
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That's a good question. On a rear wheel drive or full time 4x4 I would swap the saver (if that's all I had) to the front wheels so that the rears were the same across the axle. That's where the weight is and the grip. But the Antara is front wheel drive and only 4x4 on demand. So that's not necessarily the best. Maybe, I'd make sure that the front wheels were the full sized ones for grip and braking. I'd certainly make sure that the nose weight was right too so that the rear wasn't overloaded.

Is there nothing in the handbook? Someone in Vauxhall Towers must surely have thought of this..

You could always convert the van to take Antara wheels and tyres and put the saver on there....Hmm.
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I would have thought towing with a space saver wheel in not a good idea, and as Chris says especially not on the rear. It is not an option with the face lift model as they are not supplied with any spare, but then when I bought mine vx said you could not tow with a gunk inflated wheel either. The only safe option I would have thought is a full size spare and this has been discussed at length elsewhere on the forum. You could also contact the Caravan Club or the Camping & Caravan Club, both have technical departments who are very helpful.Good luck
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The tyres on all my other vehicles, trailers and my quad are all filled with OKO tyre sealant. This does't prevent things from entering the tyre but it dramatically reduces deflation. In all the years I have been driving with it in the tyres I haven't had a single puncture - but when swapping the tyres the fitters have found nails and screws in there etc. I haven't put it in the Antara as it's a Co car so not really mine to mess with. If I am late for a meeting well so be it. But if I used it to tow as well, I'd certainly consider puncture reduction to avoid the need for the space saver. Or in my case no saver. I am really not sure I'd want to pull a van with no spare at all. Has anyone ever used the goo and pump to get them away? I guess it's similar to the OKO that I put in in advance but nothing will stop a catastrophic failure.

At least the TPMS gives you advance warning of pressure loss
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Thank you all for your replies. I wanted advice before sourcing either a space saver or a full size spare as I am going on holiday in Europe towing caravan. Further research shows I should be carrying a full size serviceable spare on continent mine came without a spare - 2012 antara 4x4 exclusive.
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I was told by the CC that a spare or a tyre sealant is a legal requirement in Spain, the problem is that it is toodeep to fit under the boot floor, too large to have on the boot floor and potentially dangerous if unsecured in an accident and too heavy to keep in the caravan. It can be done and is described in detail elsewhere.
Good luck.
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ChrisJ said:
The tyres on all my other vehicles, trailers and my quad are all filled with OKO tyre sealant. This does't prevent things from entering the tyre but it dramatically reduces deflation. In all the years I have been driving with it in the tyres I haven't had a single puncture - but when swapping the tyres the fitters have found nails and screws in there etc. I haven't put it in the Antara as it's a Co car so not really mine to mess with. If I am late for a meeting well so be it. But if I used it to tow as well, I'd certainly consider puncture reduction to avoid the need for the space saver. Or in my case no saver. I am really not sure I'd want to pull a van with no spare at all. Has anyone ever used the goo and pump to get them away? I guess it's similar to the OKO that I put in in advance but nothing will stop a catastrophic failure.

At least the TPMS gives you advance warning of pressure loss
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The space saver is OK to tow, according to VX. However, the tyre has limitations, ie 50mph max speed, so I (for piece of mind) have a full size spare.

On the subject of tyre sealant,it is only designed as a get you hope temp. repair. There was a clip on "The One Show" on the BBC alerting drivers to the danger. If a tyre wall is punctured,the tyre should be replaced,but some drivers with the OKO type sealant are not always aware of the damage and continue to drive in danger.
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OKO won't seal a side wall tear. It would go flat instantly. OKO isn't designed as a get you home product. It's a lifetime tyre sealer against leaks and small punctures.. They have a huge range of products ranging from small cars to earth moving machinery. Been around for years. I must have been using it for over 20. It dynamically balances the tyre too. I have 37" tyres on my Cruiser and it's un-drivable without it in. Works better than Dynabeads.

This glue stuff that we get in the kit probably ruins the tyre. Anyone ever actually had to use the kit? I really should have a dry run with it I guess. I'd feel happier with a real spare I have to say.
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ChrisJ said:
OKO won't seal a side wall tear. It would go flat instantly. OKO isn't designed as a get you home product. It's a lifetime tyre sealer against leaks and small punctures.. They have a huge range of products ranging from small cars to earth moving machinery. Been around for years. I must have been using it for over 20. It dynamically balances the tyre too. I have 37" tyres on my Cruiser and it's un-drivable without it in. Works better than Dynabeads.

This glue stuff that we get in the kit probably ruins the tyre. Anyone ever actually had to use the kit? I really should have a dry run with it I guess. I'd feel happier with a real spare I have to say.
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I know the product well. I use it in motorcycle tyres and have done for many years. Most tyre fitters tell you that once the VX tyre gunk has been used, you can't repair the tyre. I personally think that's baloney and they want you to purchase a new tyre. Big con
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Also if you have a model with tyre pressure sensors, be aware it can cause problems with that system.
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Thanks everyone I have now bough a full size steel spare that does fit under the boot cover perfectly.
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