Bonnet Mount - Should I?

Another option to consider is a spare wheel mount fitted to the front. I have done this, and there are some positives and some negatives.

I fabricated an adaptor bracket for the standard LR wheel mount to the ARB bullbar. Temperature was fine around town and slogging through the Simpson, but highway speed above 90-95 caused it to sneak up. Great height to lift tyre on and off from. Extra protection from aminals as well perhaps! Visibility was virtually unimpeded. Approach angle would be compromised in some situations, but wasn't an issue at all in Simpson. Centre of gravity remains nice and low.

I didn't want it on the roof rack off road, as we had a bit over the 75kg limit with tents, chairs & other camp gear there as it was. On the way home I did put it on the roof rack, so we could cruise around the 100kph without concern.

Apparently the bonett should be reinforced to carry the spare. Photos below of mine. You can see the square base of the three prong bracket that goes thru the bonnett.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mick-Kelly

Is it practical.............no
Does it look good and very landrover ish..............YES
Did i do it with my old one.........YES

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Is it illegal on vehicles not supplied (factory) with one or needing to be complying with newer ADRs... YES (sorry)

A savvy or uptight inspector can defect the vehicle for having one on the newer models.

Over to you.

Move to NSW.

The regs they use say it's legal provided its needed for the operation of the vehicle. While this is subjective I'm willing to argue the point if I have to.

I've got an ARB mount and when I go touring the wheel goes on. Around the city I'll take it off.

Had one on my 130 for a 2nd spare. Makes the bonnet very difficult to lift on your daily underbonnet check (which we I'm sure we all do). Had it removed on the advice of those who know (i.e. Graeme Cooper Automotive) in that the extra weight causes the bonnet hinges to crack through if you regularly travel on dirt (all that corrugated road vibration).

I have a mounting bracket for my bullbar which is effective but God its ugly there (also puts a lot of weight forward of the wheels)

Never really seen the point in carrying more than one spare.
Carry an extra tyre - yes.

Do people carry more than one spare because they can not repair a puncture or change a tyre?

Mike

If you can't change a tyre, why would you need a spare?

Miky, maybe it hasn't happened to you yet, but tyres sometimes get damaged beyond repair, I've had big sharp things tear holes several cms long. Lugging around a second spare, as well as a repair kit, on tour is a small price to pay to make sure you don't get stranded.

I agree.

It's just that I would rather carry a couple of spare tyres on a roof rack without the extra weight of the rim(s)

Sorry Miky, didn't read it properly, missed the bit that you carry an extra spare tyre. Guess I'm just lazy but I'd rather just change a wheel than repair a tyre. I used have tubes in 7.5x16s. Last trip I did three tubes (I also carry a couple of spare tubes). Now I have 235x85x16 Maxxi Mudders, seem to be a lot tougher (intend to test them on the Old Telegraph Track when it stops raining). Having a 130, hauling around two spare tyres is not much of a problem. Maybe one day we will run into each other and discuss the issue over a beer. Cheers.

We've fitted tdi Defenders satisfactorily with Ser3 bonnet mounts... just pop-rivet them on... the mounts have lasted several trips on the worst corrugated roads

and.. the spare is at a perfect height for most other uses :)

I understand that the TD5 bonnet requires extra reinforcing if you want to use it like this (havn't ever had to do one)