Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 21:15:17 -0500
Reply-To: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: tip needed for Van Cafe oversized tire carrier install
In-Reply-To: <BAY407-EAS2075A2102B56D01A52CD775A0760@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
In 1983 when on a Coast Guard Project on Kodiak Island I found there was
beautiful drive across a peninsula to a bay - one some what secreted
away - with some fabulous fishing. The road in began at the American
River and was a two track trail across a pasture, then a drive down onto
the gravel bar along the river and a drive some distance then into the
water, onto a gravel bar, into the water, onto a gravel bar, the into
the water only a few inches deep for some distance. The shoreline turned
into a bank and then a teetering drive to a climb out point. Solid
ground again the road was rough with potholes - but navagable - then
came the first sink-hole. Someone had been kind enough to put up a sign
- $300 sinkhole!! That was the price back then for a truck to come and
pull you out if you got stuck. The weather co-operated when I was there
and the hole was dry enough to navigate. Nobody got stuck. The climb
continued and at the point where the peninsula divide changed, the was a
bluff with a drop of a couple of hundred feet close to the tire track
ruts - and a sinkhole on the other side of the road. $600 to fetch you
out. On my trip there had been a few dry days and we could pass -
carefully. Then finally, right at the edge of the ridge where the road
dropped on to the river bottom, there was one more sinkhole - one big
deep mutha! A $1200 sinkhole! Even in the drier weather - it took a bit
of manuvering and slogging to get through it - and of course everything
was 4WD - some specialty mud rigs. But I can tell you it was a glorious
three days. The salmon fishing was fab, the scenery spectacular, the
company warm and the beer cold - and the size of the bear scats
legendary!! Though we saw bears, and a lot of chewed and gutted fish -
we had no incidents. They had plenty to keep them occupied and
satisfied. Fabulous fishing trip without a towing surcharge on the trip!!
You really do have to plan your trips into the outback according to the
HAUL-OUT affordability!!
John
On 3/12/2014 5:27 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> Anytime I go off road with folks flat tires seem to be the least of the problems. Full size spare or not one should not go further than they can afford to be towed out! We all know Syncros need a match set at least for the diameter. For the 2WD a tire 1 inch shorter or narrower will hardly be noticed to get one to a service center or home.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
> Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 11:28 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.
> Subject: Re: tip needed for Van Cafe oversized tire carrier install
>
> Some of us travel to back in it places. The idea that a spare is just for brief use on pavement doesn't work for that situation. mcneely
>
> ---- "SDF ( Scott Daniel Foss )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:
>> In 2WD vanagons..
>> a stock type 14 inch spare is fine.
>> Just carry stock lug bolts and nuts ..
>> and make sure the wheel will fit over your longer studs or whatever
>> and still work.
>>
>>
>> On 3/11/2014 9:22 PM, JRodgers wrote:
>>> Related - how significant would it be keep the spare tire in a
>>> 205/70
>>> R14 size. It is a spare, after all, to b used in emergencies to get
>>> you to repair station or tire sales place. If you have to use the
>>> smaller tire - it might ride funny, or sit funny - but should get
>>> you where you need to go.
>>>
>>> If I go to a 16 inch wheel, I'm going to have that issue. I like my
>>> stock setup because I can keep my official BMW two gallon gas can
>>> in inside the wheel of the spare. Fits perfect/like it was made for
>>> it. I know it works that way in BMW's.
>>>
>>> John
>>>
>>> On 3/11/2014 6:00 PM, Eric Caron wrote:
>>>> Hi listers,
>>>>
>>>> You folks were correct in telling me that the 205/70/14
>>>> tire would not fit in my 85 Vanagon clamshell. I could have forced
>>>> it up but clearly this could cause problems.
>>>>
>>>> So, I purchased the Van Cafe carrier and as I had to have
>>>> work done on the van, I took the cold weather excuse and let the
>>>> mechanic install it.
>>>>
>>>> I received a call and he said he doesn't like the way the
>>>> tire can move all around left right, forward and back. Without the
>>>> wires holding it in place.
>>>>
>>>> The carrier comes with no install instructions.
>>>> Before attempting the install I asked van cafe for instructions but
>>>> they did not have any. I received a brief email basically saying
>>>> remove clamshell and wires and install new carrier.
>>>>
>>>> So, anyone out there have one of these carriers? Is your tire
>>>> flopping around, only held in place by gravity, or do you have a
>>>> tip for us?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Eric Caron
>>>> 85 GL Auto Westfalia
>>>>
>>>> .
>>>>
>>>
>
> --
> David McNeely
> .
>
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