Date:         Thu, 26 Feb 2004 14:44:18 -0500
Reply-To:     Larry Chase <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Chase <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
Subject:      Largest Tire in Spare Tire Carrier
Comments: To: bbutler@PRODIGY.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Brian,

You may be thinking of a post I made last year.

Seth Hatfield (owner of H&R Motors) in Santa Barbara did a simple
modification on my spare tire carrier.

This has allowed a Michelin LTX M&S LT215x75Rx15 to just barley fit
while fully inflated.

I believe this tire has a diameter of 27.7"

That's the largest diameter tire that will fit because of the frame
rails.

Although .... Depending on temps, barometric pressure and the position
of the moon,

Once in a while it does rub slightly.

Not a big problem .... If I under inflated a bit it would never be a
problem, but I don't.

I have attached some photos on the Spare Tire Carrier Modification;

Note ..... Vanagon.Com List Members

If anyone else would like a copy of the photos ... Email me directly.

As I recall, the mods include;

1. cutting the hinges off ... Turn upside down and re-weld
2. Trim the back side tin of the carrier tray ... Straight across
3. Remove the rods and discard
4. Cut the front latch assembly, weld in an extension and reattach.
5. Relieve the frame where the back hinges attach with a grinder ...
Slightly.

I hope this info helps answer your question.

Larry Chase
Email: RoadGuy@RoadHaus.com
Web: WWW.RoadHaus.com
Cell:  408.202.1217
What: North American Road Trip
How: RoadHaus - 1990 White VW Westfalia Syncro
Today: Florida

- - -

Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 20:34:34 -0800
From: Brian Butler <bbutler@PRODIGY.NET>
Subject: Once again,
What's the biggest tire that can fit in the STOCK spare carrier?
I posted this question about a week ago and got only a
few replies >>> Clipped