Jeanne:
I have had Jeeps for years, and have had several = types of carriers (both custom made and "off the = shelf"). In most cases, they are "swing-away" = types, and will likely require extensive reworking to fit a = Vanagon. This kind of work can get expensive quickly, and you = want to make sure that the shop you use has experience with fabrication = work. (See examples of their work first!!!)
Normally the way they mount is to have a bracket that = bolts through the body on both sides of the rear; one carries the = hinge, and the other carries the locking mechanism. In many cases = this requires reinforcing of the body panels in order to keep them from = flexing/tearing. (I used to carry a 33" spare along with two = 5-gal jerry cans and that combo is HEAVY). Another type I have = used is mounted to the bumper, but it requires a solid steel bumper, = not the flimsy little ones we have on our Vanagons.
I might recommend an alternative - there are carriers = on the market that plug into a class IV receiver hitch. These = normally will carry a spare and even a jerry can or two. then you = just have to worry about getting a nicely built receiver hitch made = up. (Seems that there is a list vendor that does this)
another alternative might be to customize a Paulchen = rack for carrying a storage box, spare tire and = "stuff". This might work really well, since the = Paulchen fits very nicely on the Vanagon and with the support legs on = the bumper will support a fair amount of weight. (I have carried = 70 qt coolers packed with food and ice). Check with Steve Lashley = on the actual capacity of the Paulchen.
My thinking is that you could mount a pair of = horizontal cross bars on the rear portion of the rack, one which would = carry a "tongue" that goes through the center hole of the = wheel, and the other a little higher up that could engage with a stout = carriage bolt threaded to accept a lug nut. You would rest the = wheel on the tongue and then line up the threaded bolt with a mounting = hole in the wheel; torque down the lug nut over the threaded bolt and = onto the wheel, and Voila! a spare tire mount! (Use a locking lug = nut for security). If you mounted the tire up high enough, = you would still have room below on the flip-out part of the rack to = carry some goodies.
Just another line of thinking....
Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA
>
> At 03:28 PM 4/25/00 -0700, Jeanne Maly =
wrote:
> >What I have in mind is to replace the =
bumper and buy one of
> the bolt on
> >wheel carriers, but the question is which =
one? There is a
> perfect one made
> >for Jeep that also has an accessory for =
bolting on a gas can
> carrier. Does
> >anybody know if this might work? =
(I'll bet some of you guys
> have a Jeep,
> >too. Come on, 'fess up.)
> >
> >Jeanne
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: Stuart MacMillan =
<stuart@cobaltgroup.com>
> >To: Jeanne Maly =
<traveller57@CABLEONE.NET>
> >Cc: =
<vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> >Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2000 3:12 =
PM
> >Subject: Re: Tire Carriers Again
> >
> >
> >> It depends on how it is made. =
Most truck tire carriers
> have a "tongue"
> >> that goes through the center of the =
wheel that takes the
> weight, and
> >> then the tire is fastened on in a =
variety of methods, but
> usually some
> >> variation of a rod and clamping =
mechanism that goes
> through a mounting
> >> hole. Racks are usually =
"wheel independent," no
> manufacturer wants to
> >> make a custom one for every wheel out =
there, but the one I
> had on my old
> >> '68 VW van was wheel specific. =
Any front mounted tire hanger for a
> >> '70's VW bus could be adapted to your =
Vanagon since those
> wheels are the
> >> same as the Vanagon, but you have the =
issue of restricting air flow
> >> through the radiator. But they =
are cheap, and even available at
> >> junkyards.
> >>
> >> > Jeanne Maly wrote:
> >> >
> >> > There's been some discussion =
lately about the pattern of
> the lug nuts
> >> > on vanagon wheels. Would a =
vanagon spare tire fit on a
> tire carrier
> >> > made for a jeep?
> >> >
> >> > Jeanne
> >> > '87 Syncro Westy
> >> >
> >>
> >> --
> >> Stuart MacMillan
> >> Manager, Case Program
> >> 800-909-8244 ext. 8208
> >> Fax: 206-269-6360
> >>
> >> Getting your share of the Net =
yet?
> >> http://cobaltgroup.com
> >> http://UsedEquipNet.com
> >
>
> Michael J. Sullivan
> IPS "SWATteam" Architect
> Open Market, Inc.
>
> =
*********************************************
> phone: =
781.359.7624
> work: http://www.openmarket.com
> scan tips: http://www.hsdesign.com/scanning
> vanagon: http://www.hsdesign.com/vanagon
> =
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>