Night. The clock is 2:30. The side of the road in the middle of the field. The smartphone cannot find a cellular signal. RunFlat wheels, but one empty. It turned out that even the “armored” tires are not protected from side cuts. All to blame is the pit in the middle of the roadway and its own disc. In the trunk, there is no full-fledged spare wheel, no stowaway, no replacement tools. Yes, the little star puzzle. The scenario seems unlikely. But experienced motorists will confirm that anything can happen on the road. After such an incident, you will inevitably start looking for, if not a full-fledged spare wheel, then at least a stowaway. The right decision.
What is a dock for a car
The dock is a lightweight version of the standard car wheel. Its name speaks for itself, because it is intended only to “roll” to the nearest tire fitting, repair the base tire, install it on the car and continue driving. On the one hand, the stowaway is not particularly different from a full-fledged wheel in terms of design. On the other hand, it has a lightweight form factor that is designed to not take up too much space in a dedicated storage compartment under the floor of the luggage compartment or in the luggage compartment itself if permanent storage is not provided.
A stowaway disc is most often made not of light-alloy metals, but of steel. Such a wheel has more modest dimensions than a conventional one, so this solution is needed to provide it with the necessary strength. Other materials that are lighter but can be just as reliable in a compact format are usually not used for economic reasons. The dock is approximately the same size as a full wheel, in height. But it is narrower to take up less space in a horizontal position. Accordingly, the tire on the dock is not standard, but “special”. It is already and, as practice shows, not very high quality, because it is needed until the next tire fitting.
What are the criteria for choosing a stowaway for a car
â—‰ Size. When choosing a stowaway, some are immediately mistakenly puzzled by the quality of the rubber that is used on it. As practice shows, this does not really matter, since such a wheel is intended only for temporary use. You usually don’t need to be puzzled with the bolt pattern of a stowaway disk, because in an online store or at a regular retail outlet, it is enough only to indicate compatibility with a particular car. But with the size is a slightly different story. It is important that it differs from all other wheels by no more than 1 inch (2.54 cm) to either side. Otherwise, the load on the chassis of the vehicle will greatly increase.
â—‰ Protector. In domestic realities, it is advisable to choose a stowaway tread with a claim to an all-season format. Of course, it is important to understand that the rubber that will be used on such a wheel will have a completely different composition from that of a regular tire. However, this approach will provide acceptable grip at any time of the year.
What tools are needed to install the dock
â—‰ Jack. It is necessary in order to raise the car to change a wheel. If a spare wheel or a stowaway is not provided for a particular model at all, which is more and more common in modern compact cars, then there can be no jack from the factory. Apparently, the manufacturers are confident that in the event of a puncture it will be easier to call a tow truck.
â—‰ Wrench. As practice shows, many people forget about him. Yes, it is also usually not included in the kit, if a stowage or spare wheel is not provided. Moreover, if the car was purchased on the secondary market, it is better to also check the complete set of tools, because the previous owner can “carefully” lay out any of the devices.
â—‰ Key lock. If the disks are screwed on with locks, you also need a key from them. Some drivers take it with them only when they need to replace their winter tires with summer tires, and vice versa. Without such a device, it will not be possible to independently replace the wheel, even with a strong desire. It is generally better not to lose this thing in any case.
â—‰ Pump or compressor. Since the stowaway, like a full-fledged spare tire, is rarely used, the pressure in it will clearly not be necessary for normal movement. That is why, in case of damage to the main wheel, it will have to be pumped up to the level declared by the manufacturer. Either a pump or a compressor will do.
Nuances when installing a stowaway and driving on it
â—‰ Dokatki position. It is highly undesirable to install the dock on the drive wheels. Therefore, if the front wheel is damaged on the front wheel, it is best to rearrange the whole and install the spare back. Rear-wheel drive is more difficult, because the front wheels have a higher load, and the rear wheels push the vehicle. In this case, you will have to make a compromise: either risk a stowaway puncture and sacrifice handling, or give up normal grip. As for the all-wheel drive, it is better to put the stowaway back in order to reduce the load on it when driving.
◉ Pressure in the dock. Since it has a noticeably smaller width, it will certainly need to be pumped to higher rates. Usually the normal pressure for a stowaway is 4–4.2 atmospheres. However, it is better to familiarize yourself with the markings, which should be indicated either on the tire or on the shipping packaging.
â—‰ Travel speed. While moving on the dock, it is important to observe the speed limit. It is generally recommended not to exceed 60 kilometers per hour. Due to possible handling issues, you need to move more carefully on the dock. It is also better to turn on the emergency signal to draw the attention of other road users to yourself.
What are the pros and cons of a stowaway versus a spare wheel
Advantages:
⊕ Minimum dimensions. Of course, the majority prefers a stowaway to a full-fledged spare wheel precisely because of its modest dimensions. This is important so that it does not take up much space in the trunk if the standard storage compartment is not intended or if gas or any other auxiliary equipment is installed in it.
⊕ Low weight. Due to the fact that it is noticeably smaller than the spare wheel, it does not weigh that much. This, albeit insignificantly, will definitely have a positive effect on fuel consumption both in city mode and on the highway. However, in the first case, due to the close location of the tire fittings, it is not necessary to carry a stowaway with you at all.
⊕ Ease of use. Since the stowaway is noticeably lighter than a full-fledged spare wheel, it is potentially easy to install it on a car. However, if you have to change the arrangement of the wheels so that the spare is not on the drive axle, then this advantage immediately disappears and turns into a tangible disadvantage.
⊕ Low cost. If you do not have a full-fledged spare wheel or a stowaway, then getting the latter will be much cheaper. This is not surprising, because the thing is initially of lower quality and material-intensive, therefore, lower in cost, as well as in the retail price.
Disadvantages:
⊖ Low reliability. The dock is usually not placed on the front axle precisely because it carries the maximum load that such a wheel can simply not withstand. A full-fledged spare tire usually does not differ from what the car is already “shod in”, so there are fewer questions with it.
⊖ Poor handling. Due to the small patch of contact of the stowaway, the car behaves with it on the road surface very uncertainly. Moreover, the efficiency of the braking system decreases, which can also be fraught with not the most positive consequences. Therefore, the recommended speed with a stowaway does not exceed 60 kilometers per hour.
⊖ Failures in electronics. After installing a stowaway, the electronics of cars that are heavily stuffed with it can go crazy. This is especially true for those models on which a spare wheel of any kind is not provided at all. However, she usually does not give a ban on movement, so this is not so critical.
In general, due to low reliability and poor controllability, a stowaway should be recommended only for those cars that do not have a compartment for storing a full-fledged spare wheel or are busy with additional equipment. If you have somewhere to hide a full-size fifth wheel, you should definitely not bother with a compact one.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
