I do like the look of bull/roo bars and it solves the spare wheel problem. There's also the extra protection for driver and passenger legs.
Maybe back then, but cars and vans are taller now - look at the typical SUV. I suspect many would hit above the deformation panel.
When I first got a bay, you might remember too as you've had one for a long time, it was great looking over all the cars and the only other tall cars were Range Rovers. Not so now, the cars have all got bigger in every direction - we used to be big vehicles, now our buses look like toys.
A bit wacky maybe but I’ve put mine on the roof in a teak cradle, out of the way and very easy to get at standing on side of cab.
Neat but I suspect you stand a lot higher chance of being injured by unloading the wheel from up there and dropping it on someone than having a crash and the wheel being a problem.
On the contrary, it is secured in the cradle by 3 ratchet straps, the cradle has internal plates to strengthen and spread the load. To remove you simply stand on cab raised cill, remove wheel cover and straps and slide the wheel towards you. Once it is near the edge of the roof, stand on terra firms and grab wheel .Far mor risky to a dodgy back is removing a wheel from the rear housing whilst stretching. I agree about the crash bit but it gives me loads of room in the internal wheel well to store tools……and a first aid kit. If anyone is interested I have kept the original wood template for the cradle which I can transfer to paper. Ps. The wheel increases the roof weight for lifting…..but I’ve fitted gas struts so no problems there
I said this yesterday to my wife,when we were out for a spin in mine,when a car was trying to get past us down a street with traffic parked down one side. Our vans are much narrower and can go pretty much anywhere compared to say...a Nissan Juke.(other overpriced oversized cars are available).
Should have seen the chaos in a Loire Valley village we went through ignoring the " no campervan" signs... We drove through in the Bay because it is lower and narrower than many modern cars. I think the big white motorhome/campervan who ignored the signs decided to follow us got wedged between two buildings.
I just carry a can of squirty stuff and a battery compressor, most modern cars don't come with a spare and the recovery companies are happy as long as you have either of those.
being honest then before i even bought a vw camper many moons ago i thought it was actually a standard thing to have the spare on the front as thats where they always seemed to be. over my years of ownership ive started with it on the front, in the spare wheel well, on a rear hinged carrier (bluebird type) then with not taking one at all, on the trailer on long journeys and now its back on the front.... where its staying.