Date:         Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:05:20 -0500
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: spare tire tray  (was nut)
Comments: To: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BANLkTikf2RFrp-3H8DU4Jo_tiw3qmbO=4A@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

---- Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Allistair,
>
> I can't tell you for sure but I had this problem with my '90 when I had it.
> I suspect you are correct and it is a nut welded inside the tne box section
> of the frame. I'm not sure how common this issue is but I suspect the darn
> thing can get rusty and break off when you attempt to remove or replace the
> bolt.
>
> I didn't have the '90 long enough after this happened to fix the problem but
> I had considered just having a new bolt welded to the underside of the box
> frame there. The only problem I could think with that is that the tray
> "clip" would no longer reach the tray - but with the bolt there it would be
> sufficiently secure.
>
> Biggest problem I had was that mine broke when I was removing the bolt - so
> I had to cut the bolt to get the darn thing open.

Isn't the function of the clip to catch the tray and hold it in place while one is working with the bolt?  Especially when one is lying on the ground, that whole assembly is pretty heavy.  I would not want to drop it on myself.

That also reminds me of something I have thought of before, but put out of my mind.  It needs attention.  What does one do if there is a flat on the front, and he needs to get at the spare?  I would not be able to get under there, I believe.  And I would not want to get under there with the van on a jack.  Do you folks carry jack stands with you?  Perhaps I need to let the air out of a tire, and see how well I can do at getting under there and dropping the spare.  Will it even come down and allow one to get the tire out with a front tire deflated?  It must, though.  Maybe I am making up a problem that doesn't exist.

mcneely