Thread: Buying a UK towbar

Originally Posted by Drover

The additional weight of the spare wheel on the rear door can stress crack the door frame and ware out the hinges prematurely.

This is most likely to occur if you use it off road a lot.

The solution is to install an after market wheel carrier. Effectively it removes the spare wheel off the rear door and mounts it to a swing out arm that bolts to the rear cross member.

Mulgo's bumperette's are designed for use with an after market wheel carriers, this option might suit you.

Thanks drover, I had a look at the bumperettes and they might just be perfect for protecting the back of the defender and save me issues with towbar.

Originally Posted by Drover

The additional weight of the spare wheel on the rear door can stress crack the door frame and ware out the hinges prematurely.

This is most likely to occur if you use it off road a lot.

The solution is to install an after market wheel carrier. Effectively it removes the spare wheel off the rear door and mounts it to a swing out arm that bolts to the rear cross member.

Mulgo's bumperette's are designed for use with an after market wheel carriers, this option might suit you.

What you say about the tyre load on the door may be true. There was a problem with older vehicles. The door now has a redesigned internal frame to better support the weight of the spare and it now has three hinges, rather than two. I have not noticed any reports on the forum of anyone actually having a problem with their Puma, in this regard. But there have been several problems with aftermarket wheel carriers. I would expect that any problem would be worse in a 110 than a 90 as the load is further from the axle. I am going to wait until my warranty is up before I worry about the issue.

Cheers
KarlB

The Puma rear door is stronger than the Tdi one,I'm not getting a tyre carrier until I see a problem. Pat

Think I might keep the spare wheel where it is for the mo.

Have my folks checking out the price of the rear step in the Uk and them work out shipping costs, possible option to maybe bring another over at the same time, if somebody is interested. I have a friend that brings in mining equipment to brisbane and might be able to put them in the container.

Possibly, depending on costs