So far the couple of Airstream people we have run into since my husband and I bought our 1971 Overlander two weeks ago have told us not to worry about carrying a spare with our dual axle trailer- because we could (1) remove the offending tire and run on three tires, or (2) chain the axle up and ride on two tires. Why would we want to (or NOT want to) do either of those options, versus figuring out a way to carry a spare? How do you "chain the axle up"?
So far the couple of Airstream people we have run into since my husband and I bought our 1971 Overlander two weeks ago have told us not to worry about carrying a spare with our dual axle trailer- because we could (1) remove the offending tire and run on three tires, or (2) chain the axle up and ride on two tires. Why would we want to (or NOT want to) do either of those options, versus figuring out a way to carry a spare? How do you "chain the axle up"?
Kathy
Kathy.
You cannot chain the axle up. You can with a spring supported axle, but your axles are torsion.
A spare is carried underneath the front of the shell using a "Y" shaped tire carrier made by Airstream.
As a reminder 1974 and older axles are subject to failure due to rubber rod failures.
You can easily check your axles out by reading the following article.
...the couple of Airstream people we have run into since my husband and I bought our 1971 Overlander two weeks ago have told us not to worry about carrying a spare...
absolute proof that even 'streams get into the hands of total idiots sometimes....
so IF you have a flat, just RUIN the other tire/tires limping at 35 mph till ya can get a new tire?
when a flat can be changed in 15 minutes and put you back at full speed ahead...
good grief...
i've got a triple axle and carry TWO spares...
so i agree completely, carry a spare and you don't need to "worry about it"...
cheers
2air'
__________________ all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.johnson
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
Carry a spare! We had a 5th wheel some years back. The tires looked okay, but were older... went camping and in one place lost 3 tires.... Hummmm.... lucky we were near a little berg where there was a open tire place.... it was a Sunday late afternoon! They were great and got us back on the road in a little over an hour. A single spare wouldn't have done us so much good with that tire fiasco, but....
Mrs. NorCal Bambi ~ traveling in S Tardis from the Great State of Jefferson
Check out my new history blog on my little town: Yreka History
not to worry about carrying a spare with our dual axle trailer-
While you can run on three wheels, you cannot plan on where you may have a tire failure. I lost a tire and used my spare 30 miles into a 300 mile trip. I then lost another in the middle of a national forest, which meant parking the trailer and a 70 mile round trip (race) to get to a tire store before it closed.
I now carry two spares.
Harry W
__________________ Harry W 4CU Charter Member AIR # 13858, WBCCI # 2420
Last edited by azflycaster; 06-05-2008 at 01:55 AM.
Reason: fixed quotes
Carry a spare. Buy the bracket if you don't have one; the spare rides neatly tucked under the "A" frame, or put it in your TV, or put it in the shower, or strap it to the roof if necessary but carry a spare. 'nough said. Just IMHO!
__________________
"I have a new invention, 'Instant Water'. I don't know what to add to it!"
I traveled for 2 years without a spare for my 75 TW. I was lucky that I never needed it. I bought a tire and wheel last year and it has been on the trailer twice. With tire shops closed on Sundays and sometimes a hundred miles between them, running on three is not a good option. My spare currently rides in the back of the truck.
I did not carry a spare for the first 2 years as others have posted. I then purchased a wheel and tire from Southwest wheel. With in 6 weeks I was very glad I had the spare saved my butt. Get a spare.
Always, always have a spare! You would be extremely surprised at the damage a flat tire can cause flapping on the rim. Running with the tire off is NOT an option. Even with three axles not the damage to the two good ones after trying to limp with a wheel removed. Two perfectly good axles now out of balance.
__________________ J. Rick Cipot Sandi Gould NEUNew England Unit Airstream Life Magazine WBCCI #3411 AIR #17099 2009 Silverado 2500HD 2004 22' Safari 1960 24' Tradewind
That's what I like- unambiguous replies! I will be ordering a spare pronto! I will worry about how to carry it later- we can always toss it in the back of the truck. Right now we have bigger fish to fry trying to get the major systems in order- burst water pipes, an AC that works but sounds like a jet airplane, and beds that were designed to accomodate munchkins are next on the list...
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