Spare wheel

dave and mary

dave and mary

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As I approach the twilight years the thought of getting the spare wheel out filled me with horror. So I have eventually got around to fitting it on the back door, I know many will say it will break hinges, etc, but we very seldom open the first closing door, also spoke to many who have there's on the door for years. Anyway job is done and can not recommend this carrier enough, it is so adjustable that you can get it on places the normal fixed ones will not go. Now my only problem is getting someone to help me lift it up to the carrier.
 

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dave and mary said:
As I approach the twilight years the thought of getting the spare wheel out filled me with horror.
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Wish you hadn't mentioned it more for me to consider now (y) It looks like a nice bit of kit could you add a link to its supplier
 
That one is very similar to the Mercedes sprinter mount.

Can it be used on other vans, or only on sprinters.

www.ebay.co.uk

MERCEDES SPRINTER SPARE WHEEL CARRIER MK3 2018 REAR DOOR BRACKET MOUNT 5 x 130 | eBay

FULLY ADJUSTABLE WHEEL MOUNTING BRACKET IN ALL DIRECTIONS TO MATCH ALMOST ANY DOOR CONTOUR. I CAN CUSTOM MAKE TO SUIT YOUR WHEEL PCD ETC IF NOT LISTED - I WOULD NEED THE HEIGHT OF THE BRACKET REQUIRED, THE PCD, IF THEY ARE STUDS OR WHEEL BOLTS AND THEIR THREAD.
www.ebay.co.uk
 
Wheeliams do one that fits onto the hinges themselves, allegedly making it much stronger than a direct door mount. Also a lot more expensive. :oops:

"Historically these doors have been very weak around the area that the hinge bolts to. They are common to crack here. By fitting a wheel carrier that braces over the top of the door spanning between the hinges and the door you are actually strengthening this area and therefore making your door less likely to crack in this place. Fitting the wheel carrier stops the hinge from flexing the side of the door which is what causes the stress cracks."

wheeliams.co.uk

Relay/Ducato/Boxer/Jumper Tubular Rear Door Spare Wheel Carrier 2006-p

Wheeliams Wheel Carriers are popular with van users who are looking for a beautifully designed Wheel Carrier with great practical features and offering amazing value for money. Wheeliams Wheel Carriers are carefully designed in CAD to enable us to design a that not only functions perfectly, but...
wheeliams.co.uk wheeliams.co.uk

Pete
 
Fisherman said:
That one is very similar to the Mercedes sprinter mount.

Can it be used on other vans, or only on sprinters.

www.ebay.co.uk

MERCEDES SPRINTER SPARE WHEEL CARRIER MK3 2018 REAR DOOR BRACKET MOUNT 5 x 130 | eBay

FULLY ADJUSTABLE WHEEL MOUNTING BRACKET IN ALL DIRECTIONS TO MATCH ALMOST ANY DOOR CONTOUR. I CAN CUSTOM MAKE TO SUIT YOUR WHEEL PCD ETC IF NOT LISTED - I WOULD NEED THE HEIGHT OF THE BRACKET REQUIRED, THE PCD, IF THEY ARE STUDS OR WHEEL BOLTS AND THEIR THREAD.
www.ebay.co.uk
Click to expand...
It looks like it is universal?

For my VW LT aka Sprinter Rear Door, I went for a different option that involved making a lot less holes ..... Designed a 3 bar carrier and got a local engineering companty to weld it up for me, then had it powercoated.
It used the existing holes that are present on Sprinter rear door hinges on one side and just had to make one hole in the door.

Carrier by David, on Flickr

A good option for rear mounted Spare Wheels is a tow bar mounted carrier. These would have the advantage of not making any holes in doors; could be used on Custom Motorhomes where the rear panel would not be suitable for carrying a spare wheel; and is lower down, so easier for taking off and refitting the wheel.
 
wildebus said:
It looks like it is universal?

For my VW LT aka Sprinter Rear Door, I went for a different option that involved making a lot less holes ..... Designed a 3 bar carrier and got a local engineering companty to weld it up for me, then had it powercoated.
It used the existing holes that are present on Sprinter rear door hinges on one side and just had to make one hole in the door.

Rear Wheel Carrier by David, on Flickr

A good option for rear mounted Spare Wheels is a tow bar mounted carrier. These would have the advantage of not making any holes in doors; could be used on Custom Motorhomes where the rear panel would not be suitable for carrying a spare wheel; and is lower down, so easier for taking off and refitting the wheel.
Click to expand...
My van comes with a spare wheel David, mounted underneath.
But I don't fancy having to get it out in an emergency.
 
Also, the doors are particularly weak, the skin where the hinges fasten to the door on my self build were cracked for about 6 inches up & down and had to be welded & plated.
 
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Fisherman said:
My van comes with a spare wheel David, mounted underneath.
But I don't fancy having to get it out in an emergency.
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What I would suggest is you do release/undo it on occasion so it is available if needed?
When I got my VW T5, that had an underslung spare and it took about 40 minutes of very intensive effort, including the use of a breaker bar with extension to free up the bolts to drop the carrier. I don't know when it was last removed but it had been used at some time as the spare was bald :(
 
r4dent said:
I just let the RAC man change the wheel.
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I have no intention of changing a wheel in a Motorhome, but I would prefer that the mechanism retaining the wheel is in full working order. As such as wildebus advised I will release the mechanism annually without actually removing the wheel to ensure it’s working properly. I may also ad any required lubricants if required. But if push came to shove, and I had to change the wheel, I would like to be able to.
 
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witzend said:
Thats what I thought but how long do they take to respond especially when in France
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How long is a peace of string. I have three times used breakdown recovery in my life. Twice they arrived in less than an hour, but the last time they took nearly two hours. It obviously depends on how busy they are, who you use, time of day or night, and where you are. I reckon the same principles would apply wherever you are.
 
All well and good saying "just get the RAC man to do it" but as pointed out could be a long wait, or could need changing in a less than ideal location where you don't want to struggle half an hour just to get a spare wheel free.

And you could also maybe get the aid of a good samaritan which could be harder if you could not provide the tools to help or the inclination to make it easier.
 
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wildebus said:
All well and good saying "just get the RAC man to do it" but as pointed out could be a long wait, or could need changing in a less than ideal location where you don't want to struggle half an hour just to get a spare wheel free.
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If it is a long wait I'll just sit in the comfort of my Moho and have a brew.

If it is a less than ideal location I welcome the extra protection afforded by the RAC vehicle's beacons and their full hi viz clothing.
I do have Hi viz vests under the seat (from my blood bike days).

Joining a recovery service is a personal decision and I acknowledge that not every one will regard it as money well spend.
 
r4dent said:
If it is a long wait I'll just sit in the comfort of my Moho and have a brew.

If it is a less than ideal location I welcome the extra protection afforded by the RAC vehicle's beacons and their full hi viz clothing.
I do have Hi viz vests under the seat (from my blood bike days).

Joining a recovery service is a personal decision and I acknowledge that not every one will regard it as money well spend.
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who said not worth while. but being as helpful/useful as possible to those attempting to help you (regardless of you paying them or not) is just respectful.
 
wildebus said:
who said not worth while. but being as helpful/useful as possible to those attempting to help you (regardless of you paying them or not) is just respectful.
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Fair comment, I just inferred that was your valid opinion from the comment.

I once tried to help me an AA man who was struggling to load my motorcycle on to a large flatbed.

He instructed me to stand well away and not to touch my vehicle or his as I was not covered by their insurance.
 
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