Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2014 17:28:09 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Spare won't fit
In-Reply-To: <DD2C4345-3F60-4BEA-8123-E4547EE3FBC0@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Makes sense Eric. And yes, the spare tire (not the clamshell) is part of
the front energy absorbing design. Go to minute 1:21 here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO_AfCFQR2M There really should be an
inflated spare in the carrier at all times. It's an early "air bag" of
sorts, but only for the van itself.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Eric Caron
Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2014 11:53 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Spare won't fit
Hi Stewart,
I had this problem last year. the 205 tire just won't fit with the
existing clamshell. apparently there is a clamshell that is meant for the
205 and came with the vans that came stock with that tire size.
I purchased the larger carrier from Van cafe. I'm not very happy
with it over all. it has no adjustments and is better suited to a 215 not
the 205 tire. As a result the 205 is loos and you have to come up with a
solution like big plastic zip ties. the Van cafe holder works without the
big wires.
I've heard that some folks have modified the existing clam shell but
I've never seen it to see the results.
My local garage finally fabricated new wires to go with the Van Cafe
holder. it holds my spare snugly but the fabrication cost they charged me
was crazy. Sadly they did the work without asking me first.
the thing I don't like about my existing set up is that the tire and wheel
are exposed. i liked the way the clamshell protected the tire and the hoses
and such above the tire. I also think the clamshell is part of the safety
planning for the crumple zone. I don't think the Van cafe holder would do
the same function.
The Van Cafe holder does seem to be nicely constructed.
If I was to do it all over again I would either use the 185 as the spare or
find out how to modify the existing clamshell.
Eric Caron
85 GL Auto
On Nov 1, 2014, at 1:55 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Son’s ’86 Westy came with steel wheels with 185 tires, and we picked up a
> set of 5 Carat wheels with 205 tires and the spare is too wide to fit. Is
> there some modification I need to make? The door tire pressure sticker
> shows both 185 and 205 tires, but it looks like the rods that hold the
spare
> are too low.
>
>
>
> Any ideas other than using the steel wheel spare or do I need to lower the
> clamshell or get Van Café’s bigger bracket?
>
>
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
> Stuart
