In <
[email protected]> 3LB wrote:
> Hi group,
> I have been told that it is not possible to mount a spare wheel on the
> bonnet of a 2002 TD5 110.
> Due to the bonnet not being strong enough, is it possible if I
> chequerplate the bonnet?
>
> I have just done a 5000KM outback trip and carried two spare wheels.
> one on the rear door and one inside behind the cargo barrier With the
> roofrack tent there is no room on top and carrying it inside takes up
> too much space.
Do you REALLY need two spare wheels ? One gives you a full set of spare
parts (wheel, tyre, valve/inner tube) but two seems a bit overkill.
With a decent bead breaker and a pair of tyre irons it takes about 20
minutes to repair a tyre. It seems to me that you could simply carry a
repair kit and a couple of spare inner tubes. Easier to store, less
weight to lug around and less dangerous when you're working under the
bonnet. (If you've never tried lifting a bonnet on a vehicle with a
spare wheel on it - you're in for a shock !). Vehicles with a spare
wheel on the bonnet should also have the much sturdier bonnet prop
rather than the latching type that comes as standard. You really don't
want to stick your head under the bonnet without a good support when
you've got a spare wheel on there as well.
If you get a kit such as the Tyrepliers one it has all you need to
repair tubeless and tubed tyres. It comes with a bead breaker, tyre
irons and all the tools and materials you need. Adding a couple of spare
inner tubes will mean that even a badly cut tubeless tyre can be
repaired for long enough to get back to civilisation. I can envisage a
situation where one tyre could be rendered unusable but that, IME, is
far more likely to happen on a motorway than on a dirt track. If you are
running tubeless you should always carry tubes of the correct size so
you have the option of sticking a tube in if you run out of sticky
string or patches.
Carrying two spares IMV gives you less security than carrying a tyre
changing/repair kit. With a good kit you can cope with multiple
punctures if need be. If you want real belt and braces you could
supplement the kit with an unmounted spare tyre. The tyre then makes a
good storage place for ropes, tools, clothing etc... so takes up a lot
less room than a mounted spare.
I'm assuming you are using steel wheels rather than alloy. If you are
using alloy then you do need at least two spares if you are driving off
tarmac as the wheel is more likely to sustain unrepairable damage. You
should still carry a means of repairing a tyre anyway where you envisage
being reliant on your vehicle.
cheers
Dave W.
http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net/
