sparewheel mounting/front panel

[chrisby]

I have the square box carrier but need some fixings for it,anyone done this,if so where did you get your fixings from.
I know most people dont like this and I currently carry a tin of foam but after seeing a friends tyre with a hole the size of a penny in the wall of one of his tyres Ive decided to go for it.

 

[froggy]

I've just removed my spaer from the front, you can (just about) reach up from the inside of the van and just use nuts and bolts. My bottom 2 mountings where nuts and bolts.
The only issue with this type of fixture is all the weight of the carrier AND the spare are on just the front panel, it would be alot better to re-locate the spare into the wheel well at the back of the van (this is where mine will now be situated).

 

[chrisby]

Can't use the wheel well, bed covers it.
You must be a lot more flexible than me ,I can't get my hand up there,what was holding the top on ?
I thought the fixings would be something like plaster board fixings that spread behind when you put the screw in.

 

[rob]

haven,t tried it but would a blind rivot nut be an option ?

 

[froggy]

Without the original fixings i would say a blind rivnut would be better than nut and bolt.
As before though my only real issue is the weight of the carrier and the wheel mounted entirely on the front panel.

 

[chrisby]

I know what you mean about the weight on the front panel,but I've convinced myself it must be OK as at one time nearly every Bay you saw seemed to have the wheel mounted there and there doesn't seem to be any alternative :roll:

 

[froggy]

Bluebird do a carrier that fits to the rear bumper, might be another option OR buy a roof rack and fasten it up there (part of my long term plans)

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

I know what you mean about the weight on the front panel,but I've convinced myself it must be OK as at one time nearly every Bay you saw seemed to have the wheel mounted there and there doesn't seem to be any alternative :roll:

They're all the ones that have got dented front panels .What about putting the spare on a roof rack?

 

[chrisby]

Can't put the spare on the roof as the van won't fit in the garage.
Bluebird rear carrier looks OK,will give them a call to see if it can be fitted to an early style bumper,not sure about the positioning and size of the number plate.Pity they didn't give a full on picture.
Anyone fitted one would like some feedback.

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

THis is one solution,but involves putting bull bars on the front,which might upset some people.

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thecampershak.co.uk/images/gallery/firstred1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thecampershak.co.uk/gallery.php&usg=__ZGcAbuM_3gR5gnjnQUDQptkrSmo=&h=180&w=240&sz=51&hl=en&start=39&tbnid=gjK1tuFaGFnPhM:&tbnh=83&tbnw=110&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dearly%2Bbay%2Brear%2Bspare%2Bwheel%26start%3D20%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[faux]

I wouldn't fit a spare to the front panel, it looks awful and only takes a little nudge to dent the front panel.

I don't bother carrying a spare, but if I did I would just put one in a bag in the rear and put it outside or under the van when camped up. (Not that a wheel would fit under my van :mrgreen:

 

[ProfessorWheeto]

Bluebird rear carrier looks OK,will give them a call to see if it can be fitted to an early style bumper,not sure about the positioning and size of the number plate.Pity they didn't give a full on picture.
Anyone fitted one would like some feedback.

Well it really is designed for a late bumper but with a bit of faffing about it'll go on an early. The thing I didn't like about it was when it was folded down it make it hard to get proper access to the engine bay.

I think there was a long thread ages ago about the cons of fitting a wheel to the front panel? Anyway its not only bad for the front panel its dangerous unless its a late with the extended deformation panel. (as on karmann gipsy or those westys with the box on the front)