Hi folks, I'm currently doing a full interior overhaul - completely gutted the inside with a view to putting in a new floor, cabinets, utilities and bed. I have a RHD camper (sliding door on nearside) with a straight-up pop top devon roof. My plan is to run cabinets all alongside the offside of the van (which will incorporate sink/hob/fridge/electrics) - from behind the driver's seat right to the tailgate with an overhead locker and wardrobe. A 3/4 rock and roll bed will be nearest the sliding door side. Problem I have is the spare wheel which sits in the back inside the tailgate behind the rear nearside wheelarch - it will be taking up valuable bed space. Any ideas on where I can relocate it to? I've read that the front panel is not designed to hold a spare wheel, so am not keen on putting it there (don't really like the look of it there either), only other place I can think of is on the roof above front cab using a roof rack. Or should I ditch it and just buy a can or two of tyre weld!? Any ideas welcome!
What about a rear mounted spare wheel carrier like some devons had originally? Bluebird customs sell them
On a roof rack is easy as long as you dont need it on a dark wet night on the side of the M4. Front panel isnt a good idea. You can get rear carriers that look ok. Personally I carry mine where it was designed to go and just chuck it under the bus when I get the bed out. A lot dont carry one and just carry tyre weld.
Tyre weld aint all its cracked up to be Ive used it twice this year and both times it didnt work very well
This is where you win with a left hand drive where your wheel can be built into cupboards around the wheel well, or cupboards stopped short of the wheel well, leaving the rest clear for sleeping.
I put mine on the roof. Seems all good to me. Although I haven't yet had a puncture in the dark on the M4 so it might not be such a good idea!!
Arghh, I'm torn between putting it on the roof or putting it on the back! Either way, the wheel is coming out to make more space. I'll let you know what I decide, thanks for the input folks!
The carrier on Spongbobs is the Devon one. Looks good but is it a pain in the bum to work on the engine with it there. Swing out units are better. Though I removed mine because I fancied giving the bus a new look I'm in the unpopular gang and like them on the front.
One advantage of having the spare on the front is that it gives you somewhere to put your mug of tea.
Have just seen this on eBay. A bespoke and reasonably elegant solution, though a bit pricey if you add the cost of a towbar as well. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Type-2-Rear-spare-wheel-carrier-Bay-T2-Camper-Van-Devon-Westfalia-dormobile-/251035838602?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a72e6e88a
I'm also deciding what to do spare wise myself, in a Westy the wheel well is now the wardrobe so you don't use it anyway, there is a cupboard behind the driver seat for the wheel but i need that for my propex plus some shelving, i don't want a wheel on the front so i am toying with just putting it on the floor in the van and then throwing it under when parked, i like the devon rear option and the swingaway but i don't want to drill my van.
