The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

cliffo

Member

Registered: 2017-08-04

Posts: 128

Rear Ladder and Spare Wheel

Has anyone put a ladder on the rear doors, and maybe hung the spare wheel off it? Would the hinges support it?

tee_cee

Member

Registered: 2016-03-18

Posts: 633

Re: Rear Ladder and Spare Wheel

I fitted a Fiamma 200d bike rack, and hang 2 bikes of the back, which works out at about 28kg + 9kg for the rack. My main worry was stressing the narrow bits around the window, so I filled the inside with expanding foam to stiffen it all up. It's all worked well with no signs of damage after more than 15,000 miles with the bikes.
http://blue-van.blogspot.co.uk/p/bike-r … -aids.html

As for the spare wheel, I thought long and hard about it, and decided that I could do without. My theory was that the typical punctures are repairable with tyreweld or the gooey rubber plugs, coupled with a pump (built into the starter pack). Of course there is no fix for a shredded tyre, but its less likely, and I'll just roll with it - treat it like any other catastrophic failure.

Last edited by tee_cee (2017-08-17 22:17:15)

cliffo

Member

Registered: 2017-08-04

Posts: 128

Re: Rear Ladder and Spare Wheel

Yes, I have wondered about the necessity of carrying the spare. You've got a dropped floor like me (which is why I need another location for the spare). At least there's a dry place with room to attempt a repair inside the van!

tee_cee

Member

Registered: 2016-03-18

Posts: 633

Re: Rear Ladder and Spare Wheel

Another option is to leave a gap in the flooring at the back, like this

The spare can drop into this when we are at home (though I forget to do this most of time)

Ricko

Member

From: SW Lancs

Registered: 2017-01-18

Posts: 334

Re: Rear Ladder and Spare Wheel

A bonnet mounted spare? Like I had on a Landrover!

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2004 Citroen Dispatch 2.0 Hdi

cliffo

Member

Registered: 2017-08-04

Posts: 128

Re: Rear Ladder and Spare Wheel

Another option is to leave a gap in the flooring at the back

Ah, I'm thinking of leaving the drop floor as it is to provide a bit more head room when the bed is away

Casper

Member

From: East Lothian

Registered: 2015-12-20

Posts: 2,180

Re: Rear Ladder and Spare Wheel

Im sure if yu are handy with a welder you can adapt one from another motor. Discovery or the likes have swing out separate from the door type. THink i would just prefer to chuck it up the roof rack. I have twin back axle to can have three punctures before i start to worry

cliffo

Member

Registered: 2017-08-04

Posts: 128

Re: Rear Ladder and Spare Wheel

I was thinking about the roof rack, yes, but thought that a ladder would be useful to get it down and then thought "well, if I have a ladder then hang it on that and save the air drag" :-)

vaz2121

Member

From: Glasgow Living:~ SW. Scotland

Registered: 2015-08-31

Posts: 1,311

Re: Rear Ladder and Spare Wheel

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As for the spare wheel, I thought long and hard about it, and decided that I could do without. My theory was that the typical punctures are repairable with tyreweld or the gooey rubber plugs, coupled with a pump (built into the starter pack). Of course there is no fix for a shredded tyre, but its less likely, and I'll just roll with it - treat it like any
other catastrophic failure.

For my two pence worth I'm going along with Tee_cee........... Ive driven a mile or two in the truck across UK/Europe with a spare wheel or 2 in the rack on the trailer only to find that if I did have a puncture I didn't have a jack /wheel brace............. Along with the fact that with a puncture and necessary equipment I would avoid at all opportunities to actually change it...... So as Tee_cee says roll with it the punches/catastrophe/failure............... Ive thought of putting the spare on the back door and utilizing the extra space........ you can buy a universal kit that strengthens the door, Doesn't strengthen hinges though, But the wheel tyre I think is to large,   .... Partly covers other door never mind hassle getting to door handle or fouls the rear quarter/tail light when door is open..... currently Ive left things Be... With a WAV and the spare inside taking up valuable space go with putting it on roof or the trend of the day .. As is one of our cars "No spare just a can of goulash and a little pump".....(I'm not keen on ladder on door but do have a tow step)..........

I still follow the avoidance of changing a wheel obviously more for inconvenience and laziness/mobility rather than the financial aspect of lost time and missed delivery... but still carry my bag of goodies....
Which on a vehicle of this size will include a decent can of tyre weld (larger size available and not out of Aldi), Gooey rubber plugs "tubeless repair kit" and  pump just as Tee_cee mentioned...with an extra............ 18 wheels and tyres or recently more likely 6 or 8 of them being supper singles (even more reason to avoid changing).........
and part of my morning ritual (still is when touring) was oil water and wheel tyre check (visual wheel nuts and pressure) and if I found a nail or something of the likes get out my pliers..screwdriver and my little box of self tapping screws........ Got me out of more situations than any of the rest put together.........delivery made then call out the cavalry

I'm not recommending it but in a situation if it gets me out a hole and holds long enough to a tyre depot for a "Proper repair" (which you'd be looking to get done anyway).......... of course if the tyres not going down and there's a nail or such in tyre it's entirely up to you what you do next I.E. pull it out and see if tyre goes down ETC.

The other alternative is as my partner prefers ..... she doesn't feel comfortable without a spare or break down cover.......... But last year while heading to visit her daughter something came off a vehicle on the motorway which punctured the rear close to edge of tyre....... So call out the AA/Whoever (luckily she noticed soft tyre in services) they will change it..... But 1st issue was getting the spare out from underneath the 306 and like most and including our van the threads on the carrier were greased but was thick with **** and proved impossible to fully wind down apparently? ........... 2nd and the biggie was he refused to fit the spare...... although tyre had never been used it had been hanging there for about six years but it was the combination of this plus a very rusty rim that had been exposed to the elements for (I presume) a lot longer......... took the flat tyre and wheel to a near by tyre depot who refused to repair tyre as puncture was to close to sidewall...New tyre.........(Rusty rim and unused tyre is still lying in back of shed and not flat)

Pay your money make your choice.......... We are lucky nowadays that tyres are much better at staying the course (remolds etc apart "but that's a whole different argument)
I don't think there's a definitive argument for or against carrying a spare just so long as you don't ignore the possibility of dealing with a flat tyre.........

(That's more like 10 or so pence    )

Last edited by vaz2121 (2017-08-19 12:19:32)

cliffo

Member

Registered: 2017-08-04

Posts: 128

Re: Rear Ladder and Spare Wheel

TBF, you've got a good point. One of the things about getting a camper like this is that we can be relaxed about timings and stuff so a roadside delay, getting a tyre fixed, shouldn't be irksome