Dealing with Punctures

Punctures can affect anyone on the road from cyclists and motorbikes way up to articulated lorries and, of course, motorhomes. A puncture can be one of the most frustrating things to happen on a camping trip so you need to make sure that you’re well prepared.

Spare Tyres

The most important thing to have at hand is a spare tyre or, if you have the room, a couple of spare tyres. Make sure that they match your wheel size perfectly and are still well above the legal minimum tread limit – they can be used tyres but they must still be road legal. If you don’t have any spare tyres with you, there are plenty of places you can order specific tyres online.

Changing Tyres

In the event of a puncture, with a bit of practice, changing a tyre shouldn’t take much more than a half hour or so. You’ll need to keep a jack handy with you in your motorhome and a brace to undo the nuts. Don’t forget to put your wheel chocks under your existing tyres to prevent your motorhome running away backwards – handbrakes can’t always be relied upon. There are a few very informative videos on the web so check them out for an example of the technique.

Garage Repairs

If you’re caught without tyres and you have a puncture, you might get enough miles out of your existing tyres to get to the nearest garage. Often garages will charge a lot to change tyres so it’s good to do it yourself and you might even be able to charge the cost of your tyre to your motor home insurance provider. Check your excess on your policy and only if you’re in desperate need should you call a recovery company – most problems are easier and quicker to deal with yourself.

Try changing your tyres at home before you end up on the road and you’ll find it’s an easy enough job and something that is worth learning how to do. You might just find that when you need it you’ll be glad you invested the time!