Thread: Is a Rear Wheel Carrier Needed?

Yes, I'd reckon so.
Takes the strain off - and anyway it can't huirt.

Yeah i just put a carrier that swings out with the door on my County recently (which also has 3 hinges) and it helped a lot.

Pete,

When I got my Defender about 10 years ago it was only about 5 years old but had been to WA & NT, about 100K on the clock.

I had a split in the rear door frame welded before purchase but soon after getting it I stripped the door and welded up 13 cracks in the frame and re-sealed the glass in place. I had to twist the door while the father-in-law welded. Came out pretty straight, shut easier and doesn't let in as much water as it used to.

I fitted a swing out wheel carrier to take the strain off the door and have never had a problem since.



Colin

I may have been too "tight" to buy a wheel carrier, so thankfully I bought a Defender with one already on it. I would now decide to get one if I got another vehicle without one.

There are two types

(1) the ones that open with the door offer convenience and are cheaper.

(2) the Kaymar one needs to be opened separately, however this means you can stand on the rear mounted wheel to access the roof rack without worrying about putting any strain on the door. If you back into a post it doesn't damage the door. I've seen a Defender with the attached wheel carrier slowly reverse into a small rotten tree. The force bent the door and broke the window! The Kaymar also allows you to add a work lamp that you can swing out without having to open the rear door.

Either wheel carrier makes it easier to add hi-lift jack, shovel holders or heavy dirty gear bags on without worrying about the extra strain.

I think yes as it takes the strain of the hinges on corrugations etc..

However I dont know if this is true for sure but I have also been told that by having a carrier fitted because the way they mount to the body and the rear cross member that is enough to allow a bit of movement (due to flexing of two different part of the car) hence breaking the seal on the rear door (only ever so slightly) enough to allow bulldust to be sucked in.

but in all honesty it comes in from everywhere else anyway...we had dust through out the car on our journey and we have one however we have massive great gaps in the doors

Not absolutely necessary, as long as you do not go over the original tyre size. Probably a good idea if you run on rough roads a lot. My door is still largely intact at 500,000km, although it was replaced at about 200,000 after I backed into a tree!

John

Has anyone had a problem with the newer one-piece doorskins? I haven't at 150,000 kms with a 35" on it most of the time, apart from the aforementioned pesky trees..

I think the newer wheel carrier spreads the load wider too.

As to the tyres themselves, I found the heaviest combination to carry is with the boost alloys. All the steelies are lighter.

Regards
Max P

I think it is one of the top priorities is you are going to go off road. If you are sticking to the bitumen, then I wouldn't bother and I would then be wondering what you are doing on a forum like this!

The one attached to the door is by far more convenient.....but they are also known to crack and need to be re-welded.

I have the Kaymar. A 2 step process to open and close the rear door but tough as nails.

Mine is less than 12 months old and I am having issues with the paint flaking off and then surface rust appearing.

Went back to ARB and they have replaced that section no questions asked.

The reason I fitted one was based on information I read on this forum.