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(Waffle): Please feel free to ignore this part and go straight to the question below.....As we continue our research towards buying our first van, we continue to show our ignorance.  We have been reading various magazines articles and reviews, in a recent review  in a magazine (although the vans reviewed were well above our budget) it came as a surprise that one of the 'plus points' of the vehicle was that it came with a spare wheel, something I thought was pretty standard kit but now appears to be an 'extra'.  I thought it was a legal requirement to have a spare wheel with any vehicle?  I have assumed these are hidden away somewhere, or proudly displayed on the front of some bay window VWs.

(The Question): We are looking at buying something like an Autosleeper Trident or Holdsworth Villa (VW T4), or something of a similar design (not necessarily a VW).  Is it normal for these vans to have a spare wheel?

Or do they even a place for storing one, I am prepared to buy one as I don't like the idea of travelling without one.  If not is there anyway of mounting one on the rear of the van?

What do others do?

Thanks

Thank you Wineciccio.

Bit more re-assured now, still cannot believe that some 'newer' vans do not include a spare wheel, I thought most new vehicle had at least a space saver get you home.

We are already thinking hard about how to get a family of 4 and our gear into a van for a couple of weeks, realising that storage space will be at a premium the last thing I wanted to be doing was scratching my head deciding where to store a spare wheel............It is already getting close to tossing a coin to decide which of the children to leave at home!!!

Thanks also to Nora

If all else fails it is good to know that mounting the wheel on the back of a van is an option, we are unlikey to be taking our bikes with us when we are travelling as 4 so will not be needing the space for a cycle rack.

Are there kits available for this DIY or places where you can get them fitted?

Our Elnagh Clipper motorhome is Talbot Express based and our spare wheel is mounted under the bonnet so any camper based on the same vehicle should have the same spare wheel location.

many vw t2.s the spare was over the engine compartment to one side .only the front bench seat ones had it under the front sets  also devon put the spare on the back bumper . vw never really liked the front wheel on the front panel .it did cause stress on the front at the sides . the german vans had it mounted on the front bumper.

bedfords and fords used to charge extra for spare wheels . well years ago . the bedford came with only the front drivers seat you payed extra for the passengers . even the top coat of paint was an extra . side doors extra interior handles to a side door extra . its not new to rip people off been goping on for years british companies were very good at it.

cheers alan