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Topic: Alko Spare wheel carrier

PeaT

05/5/2013 at 6:07pm
Location: Lincoln
Outfit: HondaCRV Bailey Pageant Monarch

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Having jiust swapped 'vans I decided to check all the tyre pressures, including the spare. Now I know the controversy about access of the carrier, but 'it can't be that bad' I thought. Well, it is. The 'van is on the drive so no problems with access from the side, but what a pig to get it pulled out. Goddness knows how anyone copes at the roadside. My recovery will have to be called. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has ever managed to fix the carrier so as to use it from the rear of the 'van? Seems an easier place to pull it out.

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Peter
Every day you wake up is a good one.

Pickled Onion

05/5/2013 at 10:34pm
Location: Near Alton Towers
Outfit: Bailey Burgundy S7 H

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I think you are right Peter, but it's position and therefore weight has an effect on noseweight and the pendulum effect should a bit of snaking happen. I also think greasing the slide in/out part makes a big difference.

Dave

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phantomtrucker

05/5/2013 at 11:15pm
Location: Reading
Outfit: Abbey Freestyle 520L

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Peter, No chance, on the M/way or major road in the rain? NO way, I carry mine in the car. I tried to get it out of the carrier on the drive had to jack it up high to remove it would have had no chance on the road. Greasing does not help, if the wheel has been there a while road dirt gets on the locking nuts etc and its a bitch.......Nuff said.........

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Sue & Bob

G7ACU

06/5/2013 at 6:00pm
Location: West Mids
Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0

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I've not a problem with mine to be fair. Lowering the front of the van on the jockey has always given my suitable clearance and greasing the tubes with Coppersil (or similar) several times during the year keeps the assembly running sweet.
As for conversion so the thing can be used from the back, there isn't a commercial kit to do this, but I have a vague recollection that someone on here has managed a self-build conversion.

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Paul

Every day's a school day!

madasaman

06/5/2013 at 9:00pm
Location: Wales
Outfit: Volvo XC60 R Design

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Avondale had the best idea,recess built into the floor just behind axle on centre line. Don't know why any of the others haven't taken this idea over now Avondale are no more.

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73 going on 25
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rushallmanor

07/5/2013 at 3:04pm
Location: Walsall
Outfit: Unicorn Barcelona 2 & Kia Sorento

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If you grease the tubes with copper grease I have found it lasts better. Also if you come to recover the spare wheel at the roadside and it's difficult to extract you can drop the whole carrier by removing 2 split pins from the offside chassis. Often the quicker and simpler way to do it. Don't try to replace at the roadside just pop it in the caravan until you ge home!

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Regards

Steve

themarstonscooper

07/5/2013 at 4:18pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Volvo V70 Swift 570

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In a similar vain, to Steve above I am not sure the removed spare was meant to go back roadside...whilst id be calling for breakdown with a flat on M6 or the A50 and the like id be happy to change wheel many a place.
Tubes again (coppersil'd) but its far easier to put the bracket away without wheel on. Of course as you are testing you are putting it back with the wheel on and imagining doing it roadside.. Where in truth you would just put wheel in car or van and carrier back and off you go home or site

Now with repair or new tyre sorted then you have far more time to put back with wheel on..

Totally agree its a pain in the proverbial but its what we have so have make do

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Mark

Uttoxeter (Race days)
Le Serignan Plage (clothed one) August and Scheveningen on way back

andy4x4

07/5/2013 at 6:03pm
Location: Scottish Borders
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I don't have an under slung spare wheel on my van mine is in the front locker but I have had several cars with the spare under slung and as many have said greasing the moving parts is key.
What I would like to add is keep your spare wheel in a big polly bag or similar it not only helps prolong the life of your spare tyre but helps when dragging it out from underneath by giving you a bit more to get a grip of particularly if its wet, once out the bag it's nice and clean and not covered in all sorts.
If you want to be super sorted also carry a clean bag in with the spare so you can put the flat in it and chuck it in to the van with out it getting dirt every where and get you underway and out of a potential dangerous spot quicker.

DaveCoaches

08/5/2013 at 8:04am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Coachman Pastiche

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I have an AlKo spare wheel carrier and just don't understand what all the fuss is about. Undo the thumb wheel, drop it down and drag the wheel out. Some of the spare wheel locations on commercial vehicles are much worse. Transit wheels used to hang on a wire underneath the body and needed a special tool to unwind. Plus the winder would get caked in mud and seize up solid. Give me an AlKo over that every time.

themarstonscooper

08/5/2013 at 12:53pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Volvo V70 Swift 570

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Quote: Originally posted by DaveCoaches on 08/5/2013
I have an AlKo spare wheel carrier and just don't understand what all the fuss is about. Undo the thumb wheel, drop it down and drag the wheel out. Some of the spare wheel locations on commercial vehicles are much worse. Transit wheels used to hang on a wire underneath the body and needed a special tool to unwind. Plus the winder would get caked in mud and seize up solid. Give me an AlKo over that every time.

Whilst I agree they are OK they are a pain and there would of been far easier methods.
Get a puncture and pull up by a kerb roadside whcich are hard to avoid, you wont get the carrier out, easy if at all.
M69 M1 A50 any major A road you need a decent 3 feet clearance nearside to get the wheel out making for very little room on OS eg in road ...You wont find me getting the spare out there.

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Mark

Uttoxeter (Race days)
Le Serignan Plage (clothed one) August and Scheveningen on way back

PeaT

09/5/2013 at 5:13pm
Location: Lincoln
Outfit: HondaCRV Bailey Pageant Monarch

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Thanks for all the comments. Doing the greasing and poly bag jobs and hope I never have to use it in anger.

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Peter
Every day you wake up is a good one.

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