Having rented a couple of different Campervans this year to try it out and help inform buying, about to order a new Triton 420. Decided having an engine laid up over winter in a camper/motorhome didn’t make much sense and Triton a much better use of space. Going to be a tight fit in the garage height wise but fingers crossed that will be another benefit over a MH. Took some thought but think i have worked out what options i need/want. One i am swithering over is spare wheel. Indispensable or adding unnecessary weight?? Anyone have valuable insight?

Hi Clinkers and welcome to the forum.

I have always had a spare wheel for my car and caravan. The last time I used the spare for the car was about 15 years ago. Never needed one for a caravan in over 30 years.
But.............
I would never travel without one, it's like an insurance policy. Knowing my luck, without a spare I would would be stuck in the darkest, remote place with no phone signal. I won't take the risk.

Just had another thought.
If you do carry a spare wheel, you will need a suitable jack to change the wheel. I carry a small hydraulic bottle jack and also a scissor jack to cope with all potential situations so that's probably another 3 + kilos to add on.

As it happens I have an uprated chassis plate to 1200 kgs so extra weight not too much of an issue. Plus I always camp off grid so am not weighed down with electrical cooking appliances as many seem to have.

Generally there are no simple answers as there are so many options and requirements from different eribanauts!

Thanks Ray. We are getting the updated chassis so can cope with the weight. I was wondering about how to jack it up and what with! Thanks for that.

Uprated - how annoying is Apple spell check.😒

never needed a spare on the car, needed the spare for the Eriba about 5 years ago in France, wouldn't travel without one, you just never know.

We bought a used 420 in October, but have only had a couple of trips so far. We tend to travel fairly light so having the spare underneath at the back helps to offset the weight of our bikes on the draw bar, I have taken the spare off to see what a faff it was (yes it was!) but ok as long as you have something to kneel on. It is more difficult to get back on than getting it off. You also need to avoid dragging the side wall over the fixing bolt which goes up through the centre of the bracket. I think ours will stay where it is.

Tom & Margaret

Hi and
Regards Chris and Keith