Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
1 or 2 spare tyres?? 1 or 2 spare tyres??
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Igor Djokovic, camping above San Juan river, Arizona USA

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Igor Djokovic,
camping above San Juan river,
Arizona USA



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 8 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
Question 1 or 2 spare tyres??
On my trip around Africa in 2005/2006 (60.000km) I carried around one spare wheel and one tyre. From the Netherlands to Cape Town (west) we had zero punctures. On our way back (east) we had 5 punctures. Never really needed the 2nd tyre though. Used it only for rotating purposes to keep even thread on all tyres. During our trip we never met anybody who ever needed the 2nd spare tyre! Now I am changing the set-up of the car and the 2nd tyre is a real menace to store in or on the car!

I would like to get some feedback from the field if your experiences are the same. Maybe this “take 2 spare tyres” dogma is a bit overdone!

Would be grateful to get your opinions!

Cheers,
Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 Jan 2008
silver G's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: south Cumbria
Posts: 364
Same experience(but no punctures) and now same dilemaNo room inside or on roof so will have to fabricate 2nd carrier on rear. I have seen mounts on the side, which is fine in the dunes etc but on overgrown tracks a disaster.
Probably going to ditch the 2nd spare along with the fridge, too many spares and about 1/2 ton of gadgets:confused1:
__________________
Chris
-----------------
"Never have a stupid argument with an idiot - he gets a lot more practice than you"
there I go again
not too hard really
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 8 Jan 2008
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
On my last trip I backed over a huge spike in a field and killed a tyre. I had two spares so was now down to 1 spare.

When returning through Spain from Africa I got a flat tyre on the side of the motorway in a howling gale with lashing rain at 1am. Down to no spares and no humour for a while.

After sleeping for the night in the next motorway services I woke to see the back tyre on the same side as the previous nights flat was also flat - I had driven over a bunch of nails it seems. Stuck in the middle of Spain at a motorway services area on a Sunday. Ho hum...

Take two. It gives you much more piece of mind and ability to travel when one tyre is killed. Rubber is soft and easy to puncture no matter how careful you are you aren't in control of everything you drive over.

You need 4 wheels that go round at all times.
__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 8 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 326
Take 1 mounted and 1 unmounted spare. Any less is asking for trouble. I've "been there, done that".
Better yet, 2 unmounted spares (plus 1 mounted) if you have an oddball size like a Unimog.

Charlie
__________________
Unimog U500 w/Unicat
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 8 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 992
Quote:
Originally Posted by m37charlie View Post
Take 1 mounted and 1 unmounted spare. Any less is asking for trouble. I've "been there, done that".
Better yet, 2 unmounted spares (plus 1 mounted) if you have an oddball size like a Unimog.

Charlie

And if you're the least bit creative you'll stuff the bare carcass full of stuff, being used as storage space.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 9 Jan 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
Repair ?
Don't you people take repair equipment? Patches, glue .. tubes ..

Reading Len Beadells books (an Australia surveyor/explorer Australian Explorer Len Beadell ) he fixed his flats daily .. think he only had the one spare.

Take patches, glue and tubes .. case patches too (for tyre case repairs) and you'll be able to fix the flat tyre.. oh and you'll want tyre leavers, bead breakers (unless you have some clever rims) and an air pump. And one spare tyre for a fast change (in cities/motorways).
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 9 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 239
Take 2
2 tyres off rims and knackered on Ekok-Mamfe. Thank the all powerfull for the fact that we had 2 spares. Take 2 + repair equipment. But remember that a buggered side wall is not a simple repair.

If you're planning on any serious off roading or even just off-the-beaten-tracking I would say 2 spares make it all the more comfortable. It's not pleasant babying a car over rocks when you know the next flat is a trouble maker.

No one (OK, no one sensible) heads for the desert here in Egypt with less than 2 spares.

JT
__________________
JT http://leeandjames2013.blogspot.hk/
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: granada,spain
Posts: 343
Its All About Terrain
Until four years ago I used to do extensive driving on sand and rock tracks in the Middle East over a period of many years.I found this extremely unforgiving on tyres and never wore a set(or even one)out.They all used to be destroyed by side wall damage from rocks and vegetation.My worse case was North of a place called Shisr in Southern Oman where I destroyed 3 tyres in one day in VERY REMOTE circumstances.Fortunately I always used steel rims and 150km and one roughed up but,not buggered rim later limped into Thumrait exhausted from the stress of it all.

For me,if you are doing any offroading rather than just overlanding,it would be 2 steel rims and spares every time.Chuck away the Gizmos,spare saucepans and evening suit instead!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
tyre pressure
Quote:
Originally Posted by tony johnston View Post
Until four years ago I used to do extensive driving on sand and rock tracks in the Middle East over a period of many years.I found this extremely unforgiving on tyres and never wore a set(or even one)out.They all used to be destroyed by side wall damage from rocks and vegetation.My worse case was North of a place called Shisr in Southern Oman where I destroyed 3 tyres in one day in VERY REMOTE circumstances.Fortunately I always used steel rims and 150km and one roughed up but,not buggered rim later limped into Thumrait exhausted from the stress of it all.

For me,if you are doing any offroading rather than just overlanding,it would be 2 steel rims and spares every time.Chuck away the Gizmos,spare saucepans and evening suit instead!
Tony,

When you go from sand to stones did you put air back into the tyres? Thats what i do. I do NOT drive stoney deserts on low pressures, even if it means deflating and inflating several times a day!


Cheers,
Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How to carry spare tyres? Chris of Motocross Africa TRAVEL Hints and Tips 22 4 Weeks Ago 15:57
"Importing" spare tyres: problems? bijsterbosch Trip Paperwork 1 9 Aug 2007 21:18
Spare tyres trans Africa? Bevan Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 5 13 Mar 2007 00:08
Spare tyres for Uk to OZ Richard Tyner West and South Asia 3 4 Oct 2003 18:30
Carrying spare tyres across borders iris_trui Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 5 18 Feb 2002 11:49

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:06.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top