spare wheel lift

[micktheshed]

Just bought a newish caravan with the black Al-Co hitch (as opposed to the older red one. It is really tight to couple/uncouple compared to the older one as it needs more stroke.
I finally resorted to elongating the holes in the mounting bracket & removing the single stud altogether (worst part of the job). What was wrong with using 4 bolts in the first place? This has raised the wheel 20/25mm but I could have done with more.
Has any-one else done similar or an improved version?

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Often put spare in boot for holiday towing as don't need the 3rd row of seats. It's then a breeze. Currently have a space with my standard tow ball but on cards to use an alko extended ball too.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Some say can invert carrier but the stud vs bolts makes it another hassle.

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

I have done it on both of our T2's...

On mine, because I have a hard spare wheel cover with the number plate mounted on it, not only is it bigger in diameter than the spare wheel, but it has a deeper dish, so the rear wiper would hit it, and it was impossible to get the caravan stabiliser hitch on the back at all. Since I had to space the wheel further out from the door so the wiper missed the spare wheel cover, I cut 2 bits of 25mm square box section, one went across the top two bolts, and the other across the bottom. I then got a bit of 6mm Aluminium Chequer plate that was the length of the spare wheel carrier, plus the distance I wanted to lift it, bolted that to the door where the old carrier went, with the spacers holding it away from the door, and then bolted the carrier to the plate, further up. I went a bit OTT, as I don't use the back window, as I have the camera linked to a monitor where the rear view mirror was mounted.

Been like that for about 4 years, and it's a dream to put the van on the back, as it is miles away from the spare wheel now.

You can see the before and after on the 2 T2's in this picture.

Suz's is now similar, only not as high, and I welded the square tube spacer up into a bracket that also had a place to mount the PMR radio aerial onto it as well.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Wow best is doddle hitching up. When look at discovery and colarado are higher up. But shogun seems low or ball has to come out long way to clear

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

has T reg had body lift as well.

Any photos of the bracket

 

[micktheshed]

Had a second go at improving the clearance. This time I've drilled 4 new holes to allow the wheel to sit approx. 20mm higher & 35mm to the nearside. Not a lot but it is an improvement.
If this doesn't work I'll have to look into making some spacers from square section tube. Only other thing I can think of is to get a longer tow ball, 25mm would do it.

 

[RJL Services]

you can buy towball spacers that sit between towbar and ball fitting think they are like these

 

[jims-terrano]

My 3 litre has the spacer as posted above as well as an extended towball.

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

My 3 litre has the spacer as posted above as well as an extended towball.

All it needs now is a sender unit :hide:

 

[jims-terrano]

All it needs now is a sender unit :hide:

All in hand buddy and there’s no hurry as I’m not exactly off the road so happy days.

 

[micktheshed]

you can buy towball spacers that sit between towbar and ball fitting think they are like these

Unfortunately mine is not that type. It's a ball & arm design so the complete item would need changing.

 

[Banshee]

All it needs now is a sender unit :hide:

:lol

 

[jims-terrano]

Unfortunately mine is not that type. It's a ball & arm design so the complete item would need changing.

“Swan Neck” type

 

[zippy656]

Ok so...

Alko make a removeable handle about £50

But!!!!


Remover spare wheel.
Remover bracket
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Now the clever bit rorate bracket 180 deg. And refit. Wheel should be 2" higher.

Also make sure you got the long neck tow ball

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Ok so...

Alko make a removeable handle about £50

But!!!!


Remover spare wheel.
Remover bracket
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Now the clever bit rorate bracket 180 deg. And refit. Wheel should be 2" higher.

Also make sure you got the long neck tow ball

That must only work on some models, on both our T2's it made no difference as it ends up in the same place, just with no drain hole at the bottom and no hook to hang the spare on as you twist it to line up with the studs.

Sent from my SM-T705 using Tapatalk

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

on mk4s has 3 studs into door and 1 coming out, so cant easily rotate, dont think.

have a spacer on ball and use lower position, could go for extended ball make few
more mil, otherwise if and when remember can remove wheel, and lash it down
on boot floor.

 

[micktheshed]

Ok so...

Alko make a removeable handle about £50 ��

But!!!!


Remover spare wheel.
Remover bracket ��
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Now the clever bit rorate bracket 180 deg. And refit. Wheel should be 2" higher.

Also make sure you got the long neck tow ball

But there is still a need for the handle to travel upwards, so no gain really.

My bracket does not raise the spare wheel by any significant amount when rotated so that was out. However drilling 4 new holes 20mm lower & 35mm to right has made a very noticeable difference. Enough not to need further mods. Only downside is that, if approached at an angle from the nearside, hitching-up is more difficult. However other angles are much easier.

 

[zippy656]

What van did you get

 

[luke1987]

PhenQ | https://phenq-reviews.com

Are you trying to suggest that we who drive terrano's are fat and need to lose weight? Or will those magic pill's your peddling make the spare wheel sit higher on the door if we drop 2 in the tank. Im only asking as I always thought the pill's for making things rise were blue and you can now get them from Tesco rather than online.