Does anyone know whether you can (legally) use a (LR steel rim) temporary spare whilst towing.

I have a friend (yes, one!) who intends to tow his (1800Kg) boat to France this year and has been told that he cannot use his spare in those circumstances.

I cannot find any such restriction mentioned in (my 2012) handbook.

Does anyone know better? Now: 2012 FL2 SD4 XS Orkney Grey
Previously: 2007 D3 TDV6 XS Tonga Green
Before that: 2003 FL1 TD4 "Kalahari" Black

You don't say whether its a 'skinny' spare or a full size.
If its a full size steel then there are no restrictions, if its a 'skinny' then its 50mph restriction but regarding legality abroad I don't know.

Don't take my word for it but the way I see it is, as it is not a space saver it should be ok, it will be marginally the same width, circumference as what is standard just on a steel rim which you are limited to 50mph due to the wheel bolts you have are designed for alloy wheels and the penny saver spare is steel. Its not as though it is a skinny space saver spare a 1/4 of the width of the original. But I'd tend to think that the spare is deigned as a get you home or to a safe place, not to be used to travel hundreds of miles at 50mph

I assume it is a "skinny" spare.

The 50 mph restriction is obvious, it is stated in the handbook and also on the tyre.

The issue is whether it can be used when towing (in an emergency). Now: 2012 FL2 SD4 XS Orkney Grey
Previously: 2007 D3 TDV6 XS Tonga Green
Before that: 2003 FL1 TD4 "Kalahari" Black

The Freender 2 spare is not a skinny, I can't see it being illegal but I would not want to do it myself, that sort of distance at 50mph

He has no intention of towing his boat to France using the temp. spare.

It more about what happens if gets a puncture whilst towing, can he legally use the spare in those (emergency) circumstances. Now: 2012 FL2 SD4 XS Orkney Grey
Previously: 2007 D3 TDV6 XS Tonga Green
Before that: 2003 FL1 TD4 "Kalahari" Black

If it was a skinny it wouldn't be clever towing great distances with it but its not a skinny on the Freelander anyway, it's as near as dammit the same size as the original, just a steel wheel, so why would it be illegal

The spare, like most tyres will probably have a maximum load rating written on the sidewall of the tyre, if its the same as, or near to that of the full size wheel then I imagine it would be ok, with the speed restrication taken into account, but I wouldnt think one a 1/4 of the size in width would be somehow?

its not the wheel/tyre. its the wheel nuts/bolts (delete as appropriate) that are made to suit an alloy not a steel wheel.

If towing long distances surely it makes sense to source an alloy from ebay etc ? At work
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Spare on my first Freelander 2 was a 235/65/17 Goodyear Wrangler limited to 50 mph. Other tyres were 235/65/17 Continentals.
Seem to recall reason for 50 mph limit on the steel spare is that the Freelander 2 wheel nuts are designed for alloy wheels and when a steel wheel is fitted the nuts are not as effective but fine up to 50 mph and for relatively short distances. It would be sensible when using a steel spare to regularly check tightness of nuts.

On my second Freelander I forked out for a full size alloy spare which came with the same OEM tyre as the four fitted to the vehicle.

chicken george wrote:

If towing long distances surely it makes sense to source an alloy from ebay etc ?

Exactly what I did. Bought a decent 18 inch alloy with good Conti tyre for £55 and sold the steel spare wheel/tyre for £107....go figure! The bloke I sold it to discovered he only had a can of air/goo instead of a spare when he bought the car!  John
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