Spare wheel storage

[DanMK7uk]

Has anyone stored the’ spare wheel elsewhere to the underbody of the van. What a pain that is to get to.

On my 85, it lives in the back on the floor in the corner. Breaker bar and trolley jack along side.

Now with my camper, id like it easy to get to, but space obviously a premium…

I could put it under the raised bed, but wonder if anyone has fitted to the rear doors externally? Does it put strain on the hinges if so…

Cheers

[Redvee]

I've seen MK7 specific door mounted carriers but only on the NS door but that won't work for our van as we have windows and the numberplate, I'd like one on the OS door. I've seen universal wheel mounts on Amazon etc but not 100% sure they will fit.

[DanMK7uk]

Yes my concern is are the hinges strong enough to carry that weight…

I might put it on the roof lol

[andz327]

I never had a problem with the under van cable method, I'm sure the hinges will be ok with door being closed most of the time but make a heavy plate on outside and i sude to cover as much of the inside of the door skin as possible to spread the weight distribution to larger area with possible spacers onto the inner door skin

Sent from my SM-G990B using Tapatalk

[T350camper]

It is a bit of a pain, but when I service the van I like to fully remove the spare and replace. That way the mechanism stays free.

[van_man]

In almost 30 years of driving, I think I've changed maybe 3-4 tyres.

It doesn't seem like it's worth the effort to change/re-engineer where the spare wheel goes.

In fact, on my project car, I'm not even planning to carry a spare at all, because I'll have roadside assistance in a vehicle that'll get driven about as often as a campervan.
I'm not expecting to change a flat tyre on that car at all.

[Parky7]

I have mine fitted on the rear door as it is a pain to get at underneath , used a land rover defender wheel mount bracket £10 off facebook….(had to modify slightly)
Put a large plate on the inside of the door to take the weight… does make the door feel heavy though and suppose time will tell if it damages the hinges (camper conversion )

[twin--turbo]

rear door ladder 10kg , person on ladder 80 kg *moving weight".. .... I think a door can handle a static wheel..

Last year I got a puncture , I could not find my tool for the cable (later remembered it was in my trunk box , which we had left at the warehouse as we neede dthe space in the van.. ) .. Of course it's not any form of standard socket , cap head or spline tool. So spent the sunday afternoon grinding a nut and bolt to the shape required...

My wheel has been in the back ever since. Untill I have made a stowage point inthe back for the tool it will remain there..

Galaxy mk1/2 ( and associated Sharan/Alhambra ) are know for the winch binding up when your most in need of the wheel.

[dumper]

As well as the spare wheel I also carry a tin of the tyre weld that I’d use if on a motorway or somewhere not safe to change a wheel and a tyre plug kit and 12 v compressor

[DanMK7uk]

Good shout on those bits now iv two vans im having to double up everything lol. Those tyre plugs are well handy. Not seen the weld … that just stick over the hole as a temporary repair does it ?

[dumper]

The tyre weld is an aerosol tin of the stuff you get with new cars now that don’t have a spare. I think mine was Halfords

[T350camper]

I have not carried tyre weld for decades (having a good spare in all my cars and van etc...) but back in the olden days, when I was a teenager (the world was still black and white then ) I carried a small aerosol of it on my motorbike. Got a puncture once...miles from home, in the rain. It worked and got me safely home. It stayed up for a couple of days and was still holding when I took the wheel off to fit a new tube. (yes it was so long ago that the tyre had an inner tube )

Probably a good call to use it on the hard shoulder and get to a safe place to change a wheel. Maybe I'll carry a can again.