spare wheel carrier problem solved

[suffolk man]

Our Adria has the waste water tank where the windup spare wheel fitting should be on the ducato. This meant sticking the spare wheel in the garage, not a good place as behind the rear axle and impossible when we have the bikes and all the usual stuff in the van as no space for it. After much head scratching I have finally found a company who manufactured and fitted a drop down spare wheel carrier to fit between two chassis cross member nearer the front of the van. If anybody else has the same problem, the company was UK towbars at March in Cambridgeshire. Pictures hopefully attached........

 

[Orion]

Same place as ours, but we installed the standard Fiat wind up spare wheel holder between the two transverse chassis by bridging it with a piece of box section.

Consider an el cheapo spare wheel cover from the usual online shopping outlets (less than a tenner) it’ll make everything much easier to handle if you do have to use it in anger.

 

[denisejoe]

How do you get the wheel down?

 

[Badknee]

golly

 

[golly]

golly

Interesting, I don't off hand know what space I have, I know the grey waste tank is where the original carrier was, I also have under-slung LPG tank so will have to investigate. Thanks

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[suffolk man]

How do you get the wheel down?

Undo two bolts and down it comes. Nice job for a AA man on a rainy night ....

 

[suffolk man]

Same place as ours, but we installed the standard Fiat wind up spare wheel holder between the two transverse chassis by bridging it with a piece of box section.

Consider an el cheapo spare wheel cover from the usual online shopping outlets (less than a tenner) it’ll make everything much easier to handle if you do have to use it in anger.

Good idea

 

[Lenny HB]

Nice job but I had a wind down spare carrier on our first Hymer I wouldn't want one again much better in the garage a lot less hassle when you need it.

 

[Stoosal]

Do you know/have you measured, how much ground clearance the holder allows for eg speed bumps etc? Considering similar for a Transit.

 

[suffolk man]

Do you know/have you measured, how much ground clearance the holder allows for eg speed bumps etc? Considering similar for a Transit.

It's higher than the rear axle so should be fine

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[Oldrat]

A perfect location would be covering the catalytic converter to prevent it being nicked!

 

[suffolk man]

A perfect location would be covering the catalytic converter to prevent it being nicked!

 

[Orion]

A perfect location would be covering the catalytic converter to prevent it being nicked!

Man with a cordless angle grinder says, “thanks for that, how much can I get for a spare wheel on eBay as well as the Cat from the scrapyard?”.

 

[Landy Andy]

Brilliant job. Something I keep meaning to do to mine.

 

[benk11]

i have a benimar 282 with the grey waste tank were the spare wheel fits, and this arrangement is were i was looking at putting the spare wheel, however how does it actually work as there is no wind up mechanism to take the weight as far as i can see to support the wheel while it's lifted into place or is this something in the mechanism. Also how much did it cost please as we often come down to field end waters in march so could get it fitted while were down there. your help is appriciated to solve this issue with the spare wheel

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[Kayak Kid]

Yes, I too would be interested in the price if you don’t mind divulging it please.

Jim

 

[suffolk man]

i have a benimar 282 with the grey waste tank were the spare wheel fits, and this arrangement is were i was looking at putting the spare wheel, however how does it actually work as there is no wind up mechanism to take the weight as far as i can see to support the wheel while it's lifted into place or is this something in the mechanism. Also how much did it cost please as we often come down to field end waters in march so could get it fitted while were down there. your help is appriciated to solve this issue with the spare wheel

Hi, it works by undoing two bolts and the carrier drops down. To put it back up with the wheel in place the easiest way is to use the van jack to lift it back up as the wheel weighs a lot. It wasn't cheap at £425 but I have the peace of mind of carrying a spare wheel and having the weight of the wheel and carrier in a central position on the van. Hope this helps

 

[suffolk man]

Yes, I too would be interested in the price if you don’t mind divulging it please.

Jim

hi Jim, not cheap at £425 but it keeps the spare wheel safely in place and I have the peace of mind I have the spare if I need one, Andrew.

 

[Phill D]

It's higher than the rear axle so should be fine

But the rear axle has wheels on it so raised over the bumps.

 

[LithiumConvert]

much better in the garage a lot less hassle when you need it.

but preferably not on the back wall where somebody fitted ours.

The heavy (Hymer fitted) jack is also on the back wall.

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[Lenny HB]

but preferably not on the back wall where somebody fitted ours.

The heavy (Hymer fitted) jack is also on the back wall.

Where mine is, not a problem but I have loads of payload and 200 kg spare on the rear axle.

 

[DerryW]

I thought Adria's come with the spare wheel already bolted to the rear wall inside the garage, either sitting on the shelf or in the purposely built lower recess. Reduces the payload in the garage from 150kgs down to 120kgs.

 

[Kayak Kid]

hi Jim, not cheap at £425 but it keeps the spare wheel safely in place and I have the peace of mind I have the spare if I need one, Andrew.

Thanks for that! Not cheap at all. I keep mine in the garage and might be inclined to keep it there! Might make one though based on your photos.

 

[Barclaybasher]

My 2001 van came with a spare wheel slung under it............

When I bought it 6 years ago I asked my garage to remove it as I knew I would never be able to change the wheel

The mechanic said it was so rusted on he struggled to release the wheel on his ramp and it would have been impossible at the roadside

It's been in the back of the van since and still has its 'brand new' 2001 tyre on it !!

My other van the 1991 Eribacar I fixed the spare wheel to the bike carrier - easy access and easy to check pressure...

 

[Lenny HB]

I thought Adria's come with the spare wheel already bolted to the rear wall inside the garage, either sitting on the shelf or in the purposely built lower recess. Reduces the payload in the garage from 150kgs down to 120kgs.

Thats very low ours is 350 kg and there was an option for 450kg.

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[DerryW]

Lenny. Big yellow sticker on the inside of garage door stating Max 150kgs. I've never been able to establish if the weight of the spare wheel is included in the 150kgs. I've assumed it is and therefore based max weight of everything that goes in there is no more than 120kgs.

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny. Big yellow sticker on the inside of garage door stating Max 150kgs. I've never been able to establish if the weight of the spare wheel is included in the 150kgs. I've assumed it is and therefore based max weight of everything that goes in there is no more than 120kgs.

It will be the max load the garage can take, won't include the spare wheel.

 

[VXman]

I used UK towbars to fit my rear air assist suspension. Good bunch of guys.

 

[benk11]

Hi, it works by undoing two bolts and the carrier drops down. To put it back up with the wheel in place the easiest way is to use the van jack to lift it back up as the wheel weighs a lot. It wasn't cheap at £425 but I have the peace of mind of carrying a spare wheel and having the weight of the wheel and carrier in a central position on the van. Hope this helps

Yes now I understand how it works and how you get the heavy wheel back up.
What is the ground clearance I’m thinking around 160mm which if it is should be good enough for the tallest of speed bumps as I believe the max height of a speed bump is 100mm?

 

[suffolk man]

There's plenty of clearance underneath the carrier even for some hefty speed humps we went over last time we were away. It basically has only a little less clearance than the rear beam axle.

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