Ducato light chassis and lack of spare wheel and jack. What to do?.

Clewie68

Clewie68

Joined
Sep 3, 2023
Posts
156
Likes collected
209
Location
Wiltshire, UK
Funster No
98,601
MH
Malibu 600 DB K
When I learnt the Ducato on a 3,500kg light chassis didn't have a spare wheel with tyre, jack and other tools for changing a wheel I found it laughable. I don't think it's right. The quick repair kit is good for getting off a main road super quick but I'd want to replace that wheel as soon as possible. If I'm caught out in the sticks I won't be happy if I have to travel into a busy town for the new tyre. I'm thinking a new alloy wheel, tyre, jack and tools is essential. My original plan, was to keep the spare wheel in the tiny garage under the bed but now I'm thinking of putting it within a cradle underneath the van. (The day I need that wheel it'll be raining, 100%!. Every time I changed the bulb on a HGV's trailer it was raining) 😆.

My questions are,

Has anyone bought a spare wheel because the Ducato didn't come with it?.

Did you put it outside and underneath the van?. If so, what do you think of the cradle?.

What kind of jack?. ( I've read a lot of posts about the jack not being fit for purpose. Surely it is. I think the people that TRY to use the jack aren't fit for purpose. Lots of talk about it not being low enough for the back axle. Maybe some people don't know the correct location to position the jack).

I'm trying to buy the essentials for the van before March. In eight months time, they've probably gone up in price. I've probably spent more than Tamara Eccleston the last two days. Enjoyable though🤑.

Best regards,

Clewie.
 
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Our Burstner 2019, also came without a spare and a jack that has questionable status. We bought a steel wheel and tyre and a good bottle jack and some hardwood blocks to cope with the height. (Shouldn’t say this ) but we have not had a puncture in this van from new (2019 27540 miles) the spare takes up a good bit of space, and eats into your payload. the only place was in the boot which adds to the loading in a garage that goes a long way back from the rear axle. Not sure yet for the definitive answer as to do the wheel bolts form the fitted alloy wheels fit the steel wheels, asked at 2 main Fiat dealers neither was sure. We’re on the heavy chassis!!
 
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I did 400 miles with the spare steel wheel using the bolts which were fitted to my alloy wheel. No problem at all.
 
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I had the fiat light ccs chassis bought the winch system and a new steel spare wheel cost for both was £200, easy diy fit. The tool kit and jack should be under the passenger seat.



IMG_3055.jpeg

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Our van came with just the repair kit. I picked up a spare from ebay and added the cradle underneath myself.
The wheel currently resides in the garage, however as we are due to move soon and will need the garage space ill fit it to the cradle. If i was somewhere safe Id use the Fiat jack, but wouldnt want to risk it at the side of the road.
 
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Bessy765 said:
Our Burstner 2019, also came without a spare and a jack that has questionable status. We bought a steel wheel and tyre and a good bottle jack and some hardwood blocks to cope with the height. (Shouldn’t say this ) but we have not had a puncture in this van from new (2019 27540 miles) the spare takes up a good bit of space, and eats into your payload. the only place was in the boot which adds to the loading in a garage that goes a long way back from the rear axle. Not sure yet for the definitive answer as to do the wheel bolts form the fitted alloy wheels fit the steel wheels, asked at 2 main Fiat dealers neither was sure. We’re on the heavy chassis!!
Click to expand...
On a previous van in 2008 the wheel bolts from the alloys were too long for the steel wheel and stopped the wheel from moving.
 
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I fitted the wind-up cradle to my previous van so I could carry a spare. Make sure that kit you buy includes the 5 sided "security" tool to wind down the wheel.

I've not bothered in the new van.

Remember payload. A wheel and cradle will eat about 30kg. Lots of 3.5t vans have very little spare carry capacity.
 
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Halmerend Wheels & Tyres Ltd
07877 691294

https://g.co/kgs/pZeMJKs

Give these guys a bell I think about £160 Inc pp for a wheel & tyre , I just had 2 Mich/ Agilis fitted & bought a steel wheel & they fitted one of my old tyres on the new wheel, great lads.Got a cover off Ebay & put it in the Garage. Must admit never thought if the Bolts off the Alloy will fit the Steel Wheel will have to check that out. Can anyone confirm this please Burstner Harmony 690g ,69 Plate ,thanks in advance, Chris.
 
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Mercedes Sprinter based vans also no longer come with a spare tyre or the jack

I bought a spare wheel and jack.
Never had the need to use it yet.

But we have had a slow puncture, luckily I could pump up the tyre enough to get us to a tyre shop to repair it.

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I have the proper cradle and a spare steel wheel and tyre. Bought a 10 tonne bottle jack from sgs. Once when using the supplied Fiat scissor jack it fell of the jack with no warning. No damage to the van or me but there could have been. Also have a 3 tonne trolley jack for home use. I had the cradle fitted by the dealer.
 
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My Autotrail 3500kg did not have a spare. Now keep one in the rear storage locker. Have the standard Fiat jack, Plus a wrecking bar for nut removal and a torque wrench.
Have carried out a test change without any problems.
Think its like the old saying "If you got it you will probably never need it" Touch wood.
 
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You will find people selling wheel cradles and fittings plus set of jack and tools on eBay plus lots of videos on YouTube showing how to fit which is pretty easy. I think my van came with the jack but no wheel so I bought a steel wheel, heavy duty metal tyre valves and a tyre and got a local garage to fit the tyre. From the research I did the heavy chassis with 16" wheels which my van has uses the same studs for alloy or steel wheels, so hopefully that is true.
 
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I also bought a spare (with same tyre) and the wind up mechanism from ebay. unfortunately didnt have same chassis to easily add winder. i got a local blacksmith to make the streachers of my hanger mechanism that i bolted the winder to.
Marigold spare.jpg
 
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Wind up cradle about £100 and steel spare with hew tyre £150. Only carry in Europe.

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I did purchase the fiat spare wheel carrier for my previous Burstner. The spare wheel was fitted on the rear wall inside the garage, along with the fiat tools.

The tools actually fit under the drivers seat, better for weight.

And the chassis is pre drilled and set for the underslung carrier to attach, think it cost about £100 all in.

Much better weight distribution, and free garage rear wall.

My Rapido came with spare underslung.

Ps, think you need the extender bar to lower the wheel.
 
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many motorhomes have under slung water tanks that restrict the placing of the spare wheel carrier.
Ours is an example of this, I carry a spare in one of the side lockers, it’s heavy and takes up a lot of space, and , I hope I never need it 🤭
 
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On my Malibu Van the spare tyre, carrier and tools were offered as an option. The spare wheel is steel and the total additional weight is 39kg.

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Pausim said:
On my Malibu Van the spare tyre, carrier and tools were offered as an option. The spare wheel is steel and the total additional weight is 39kg.
Click to expand...
Would love a spare. I don’t think our 6m Malibu has enough room for the spare underneath as there is something insulated near the rear axle. Not sure what it is as grey tank in the middle.
 
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pappajohn said:
My advice is buy a wheel and jack.
Stupid puncture gel in a can wont fix a blow out.
Click to expand...
Yes, great point well made. Another good point made in this thread is the possible insulated tank in the way. I think I'll wait to see what's underneath.

One of the words the ex Sargent Major drummed into me during my HGV training was anticipation. I anticipate that the worst case scenario is a blow out and I'm sitting in a live lane. Something positive would have to be done quickly. Like change the wheel. Not a job I would relish on any road. Funnily enough, I actually picked my new warning triangle from Halfords yesterday.

When I used to drive a truck I noticed others people's bad habits, mistakes or complacency can easily become another motorists problem. I think it's a courtesy to other road users to have a proper spare instead of not trying to resolve the problem at all.

I'll be lugging another 30kg+ and that's the way it is. I know i might sound a little righteous, but I've made mistakes while driving and want to avoid any more. Especially when the van is costing more than i paid for my home in 2001.

I'll definitely buy an alloy wheel with the same tyre, not steel.
 
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Clewie68 said:
When I learnt the Ducato on a 3,500kg light chassis didn't have a spare wheel with tyre, jack and other tools for changing a wheel I found it laughable. I don't think it's right. The quick repair kit is good for getting off a main road super quick but I'd want to replace that wheel as soon as possible. If I'm caught out in the sticks I won't be happy if I have to travel into a busy town for the new tyre. I'm thinking a new alloy wheel, tyre, jack and tools is essential. My original plan, was to keep the spare wheel in the tiny garage under the bed but now I'm thinking of putting it within a cradle underneath the van. (The day I need that wheel it'll be raining, 100%!. Every time I changed the bulb on a HGV's trailer it was raining) 😆.

My questions are,

Has anyone bought a spare wheel because the Ducato didn't come with it?.

Did you put it outside and underneath the van?. If so, what do you think of the cradle?.

What kind of jack?. ( I've read a lot of posts about the jack not being fit for purpose. Surely it is. I think the people that TRY to use the jack aren't fit for purpose. Lots of talk about it not being low enough for the back axle. Maybe some people don't know the correct location to position the jack).

I'm trying to buy the essentials for the van before March. In eight months time, they've probably gone up in price. I've probably spent more than Tamara Eccleston the last two days. Enjoyable though🤑.

Best regards,

Clewie.
Click to expand...
The underslung wheel carrier is good in my opinion, my Van has it and all I do is protect it against rust and check is operation each year at least once. The wheel is heavy, if you get a flat, drop the wheel, unhook the hanger and drive the van forward a few feet to get to the wheel. As for the factory screw jack, I have it but have not used it, its ok under the back axle but would be very extended for the front wheel change. I also wonder about the effort needed to wind it up with a Van at close to 3.5T. Buy the factory winch is my suggestion.
 
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Burge said:
Halmerend Wheels & Tyres Ltd
07877 691294

https://g.co/kgs/pZeMJKs

Give these guys a bell I think about £160 Inc pp for a wheel & tyre , I just had 2 Mich/ Agilis fitted & bought a steel wheel & they fitted one of my old tyres on the new wheel, great lads.Got a cover off Ebay & put it in the Garage. Must admit never thought if the Bolts off the Alloy will fit the Steel Wheel will have to check that out. Can anyone confirm this please Burstner Harmony 690g ,69 Plate ,thanks in advance, Chris.
Click to expand...
We have the 690G and decided to buy a spare steel and fit the carrier underneath. I also read the countless threads on here about whether the steel abd alloy wheels use different bolt lengths. When I asked my Fiat dealer he couldn't tell me other than his parts computer showed a different part no. for steel bolts and alloy bolts. So to play safe I ordered 6 (only come in packs of two) at an extortionate price. When I compared them to the alloy bolt I couldn't really tell if the were different lengths or not (they were that close in length). One other thing; if you buy a steel to have as a spare and fit it to the underslung rack but run on the alloys, you will need the alloy adaptor plate to hoist the alloy into position, otherwise you will find you have to carry your alloy and flat tyre in your garage or hab area.
 
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Hi again Mark I've also got the underslung spare wheel carrier, (as an option) lol but very easy to use and definitely handy for when your away 😀
Just noticed that Carthago have fitted the spare wheel cradle mechanism well back behind the rear wheels so well away from any tanks & pipework etc and they've also supplied a long reach winding tool which makes the whole process a doddle its very well done (maybe another option for you to stick on your options list!🤣)
Here's a couple of pics
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20240812_084329.jpg
20240812_084457.jpg
20240812_065547.jpg

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Both previous vans had spares underneath. Only once had a problem on a French autoroute on a downhill section. Got to the hard shoulder but there is no way I would have attempted to change it on that slope. Had to call French breakdown rip off merchants who recovered us, then broke the cradle.

This van has the gel. If that doesn't do the trick, I would call breakdown. On a main road I would call them anyway. The scissor jack would be fine on the level but I wouldn't risk it on any slope.
 
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andyelbac said:
We have the 690G and decided to buy a spare steel and fit the carrier underneath. I also read the countless threads on here about whether the steel abd alloy wheels use different bolt lengths. When I asked my Fiat dealer he couldn't tell me other than his parts computer showed a different part no. for steel bolts and alloy bolts. So to play safe I ordered 6 (only come in packs of two) at an extortionate price. When I compared them to the alloy bolt I couldn't really tell if the were different lengths or not (they were that close in length). One other thing; if you buy a steel to have as a spare and fit it to the underslung rack but run on the alloys, you will need the alloy adaptor plate to hoist the alloy into position, otherwise you will find you have to carry your alloy and flat tyre in your garage or hab area.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply 👍 will have to check it out cos no Bolts NO SPARE.
 
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TheMachMan said:
Would love a spare. I don’t think our 6m Malibu has enough room for the spare underneath as there is something insulated near the rear axle. Not sure what it is as grey tank in the middle.
Click to expand...
The spare wheel is only offered as an option on the 6.4m Malibu Vans which suggests there is no room for one underneath the shorter ones.
 
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