Under-bonnet spare wheel carrier

Post by **millerman** » Tue May 05, 2009 12:00 am

Car trailers not charged for on the Severn Bridge either

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:32 am

bmcecosse wrote:I've yet to see a roof rack that can "reduce fuel consumption"

I meant to type "reduce fuel efficiency."

The difference was noticeable at the fuel pump when I used one on my Land Rover, even when I wasn't carrying anything on the rack.

Problem with Traveller is - the aluminium gutters are not designed to carry any weight - a roof rack could soon make a real mess of the roof and gutters !

Yes, I definitely wouldn't want to use one on my trav for that reason. If I had a rack that fitted on my saloon I might use it occasionally for shifting things that are too bulky to fit inside the car. Unfortunately my rack doesn't have long enough arms to reach the gutters due to the heavily domed roof.

But there's plenty of room up there for more than just a wheel - cylinderhead/alternator/carb/fuel pump etc etc - you could make the support timber much wider and mount all the parts in clips alongside the wheel ?

The wheel is fine but I'm not going to push my luck with a big pile of engine spares too!

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:35 am

MarkyB wrote:A bit of green paint or varnish would finish it off nicely.
Do you find having the spare there cuts down on engine noise?

Yep, I'll paint it green after I get back from the rally. I didn't notice a significant noise reduction, though this car doesn't have carpets so it's pretty noisy to start with.

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:44 am

mike.perry wrote:I don't like roof racks either. I tow a trailer if I need the space. Trouble is all the toll bridges charge double.
We've been there before.

Yes, there are definitely times when a trailer comes in very handy, especially when carting a big pile of rubbish that you wouldn't want to put in the boot. It wouldn't be my first choice for a long road trip though due to the extra hassles of towing (reversing, parking), the reduced fuel efficiency and performance, the risk of stuff getting stolen (unless I was to fit a lockable lid and buy a hitchlock), and in this case the extra ferry fares. I am still keeping an eye out for a cheap Minor towbar though...

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:52 am

rayofleamington wrote:Underbonnet spare carrying has been done by the likes of Renault as well as hundreds of Minor owners.

My mum's old Renault 5 had the spare in the engine bay, hence my not being too concerned about the effect of engine heat on the tyre.

The bonnet cross brace is likely to be the weakest link but the failure mode is not dangerous and therefore nothing to loose.

I agree. If it does break (and I'm not convinced it will) I'll stick the wheel inside the car and later weld the bar back on with some extra strengthening pieces.

I extended the bootlid on my 54 and mounted a spare

That would definitely be worth considering if I was doing that type of rally in her and wanted to carry two spares!

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:54 am

This morning I drove 'spiritedly' over the speed bumps on the way to work, then checked under the bonnet to make sure nothing had moved, bent, or come loose. Looking good so far!

Post by **mike.perry** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:29 am

Car trailers not charged for on the Severn Bridge either

You are right. Just Minor LCVs are charged £10.90

All done away with!! Tolls that is- not the bridges !!!!

We are subsidising your bridges as well then
Sit back and wait for the reaction

Post by **LouiseM** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:50 am

If I had a rack that fitted on my saloon I might use it occasionally for shifting things that are too bulky to fit inside the car.

Exactly, that's why I suggested using one in the first place

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Tue May 05, 2009 5:45 pm

Looks an excellent job dude

and if it survived a spirited Holden drive over those speed bumps then it'll survive anywhere!

Post by **jonathon** » Thu May 07, 2009 4:45 pm

Where do you think the wheel will end up in a frontal accident. I rather think you will be wearing it. Seriously I think this position is a very bad idea from both strength and a potential accident.
The weight of the wheel will over time weaken/fatigue the bonnet stay and the front angled bracket resulting in failure and the possibility of the wheel being stuck near the fan or at worst shorting out the battery.

Post by **ASL642** » Thu May 07, 2009 6:04 pm

Probably be safer if you wore it!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu May 07, 2009 9:04 pm

M-P wrote " We are subsidising your bridges as well then
Sit back and wait for the reaction " - No - OUR oil pays for it all - and much more!!

Post by **MarkyB** » Thu May 07, 2009 9:30 pm

Where do you think the wheel will end up in a frontal accident

If you were in an accident and going fast enough to push a spare wheel through the bulkhead it would be the least of your worries.

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Thu May 07, 2009 9:51 pm

MarkyB wrote:
Where do you think the wheel will end up in a frontal accident
If you were in an accident and going fast enough to push a spare wheel through the bulkhead it would be the least of your worries.

Yep- I reckon the engine in the crutch would make your eyes water first- Can't see that the wheel is going to add much to that, after compressing the bulkhead, and the dashboard, it would probably meet you on the other side of the steering wheel, but you wouldn't be worrying about much any more!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu May 07, 2009 9:52 pm

It will ride up and over the bulkhead - and then come through the screen and smack you in the face !

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu May 07, 2009 10:50 pm

If I had a rack that fitted on my saloon I might use it occasionally for shifting things that are too bulky to fit inside the car.

I'd be happy to free-loan one to you if you've got room to keep it!

That would definitely be worth considering if I was doing that type of rally in her and wanted to carry two spares!

The underbonnet spare allows you to carry 2 spares. My major bootlid allowed 5 including the one on top! Only had 3 left when we got to Gambia.

if it survived a spirited Holden drive over those speed bumps then it'll survive anywhere!

even a bit off Wibble offroading?

Post by **jonathon** » Thu May 07, 2009 11:18 pm

My thoughts exactly BM

Post by **alex_holden** » Fri May 08, 2009 8:32 am

rayofleamington wrote:
If I had a rack that fitted on my saloon I might use it occasionally for shifting things that are too bulky to fit inside the car.
I'd be happy to free-loan one to you if you've got room to keep it!

Cool, thanks for the offer.

The trouble is I would struggle a bit to find somewhere indoors to store it. My current roofrack (which is pretty useless to me because it doesn't fit on a saloon) is rotting away under a tree at the bottom of the garden.

The underbonnet spare allows you to carry 2 spares. My major bootlid allowed 5 including the one on top! Only had 3 left when we got to Gambia.

Wow. Were they all complete wheels or were some just tyres?

even a bit off Wibble offroading?

Post by **MarkyB** » Fri May 08, 2009 9:09 am

What are you basing

It will ride up and over the bulkhead

on?
Looking at the pictures the tyre seems to sit level when the bonnet is closed with the tread almost touching the bulge on the bulkhead.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri May 08, 2009 9:54 am

And so in a hard frontal - since it's not restrained in any way (the bonnet hinges will just snap like matchsticks) the wheel will then ride up and over, and through the screen! Simples!!