Legalities of Outter side tub mounted spare wheel carrier

[philry]

Hi Guys

Planning to do a bit of camping this year in my series 2a ute top, Im going to mount my Rooftop tent directly onto the top of the tub and use underneath for storage etc.

Currently I have my spare wheel mounted in the wheel well on the inside of the tub but that will need to move as it sticks up out of the tray and will get in the way of the RTT.

At the moment I have 3 options for spare wheel storage:
1. Just chuck it in the tub - Not ideal as it will take up space/be messy
2. Bonnet mount - Currently have a non mountable type bonnet, but have a mountable one kicking around somewhere.
3. Side tub mount - I bought a whole heap of ex-Mil parts a little while ago, of which included a spare carrier that hooks over top of the tub and hangs the wheel over one of the sides, so that the spare sits on the side of the vehicle. While being very cool (IMO) I'm not sure of its legality for use on the roads. Has anyone had any experience with these/know if they are legal? I assume they must've been used on some army vehicles at some stage so its possible they're OK to still use?

See pics of said unit -
Cheers in advance for your help guys.

[Johnno1969]

I'm not sure about legality, but I can confirm its coolness.

[chazza]

I doubt it would be legal as it makes the car over-width. In any case how does the load of the wheel against an aluminium sheet, stop it bumping and damaging the panel badly?

I think the bonnet is the best option.

Alternatively, see if you can find the parts to mount the wheel vertically inside the body at the rear. It could be covered with a vinyl cover to keep the occupants clean, if there is enough room for all of you,

Cheers Charlie

[87County]

I doubt it would be legal as it makes the car over-width. In any case how does the load of the wheel against an aluminium sheet, stop it bumping and damaging the panel badly?

..............

Cheers Charlie

How is "over-width" defined ??

I imagine the use of the tub side mount may possibly contravene some other unprotected protrusion regulation but I agree thaht it would be a handy spot.

I'm a great user of the bonnet mount (and I know a lot on here are not), and I can't think of instances where I have had any issues with it.

[pop058]

IIRC, the max protruding past the outer limits of a vehicle (not including the mirrors) is 150mm. I would hazzard a guess that the spare would be more than that.

With this in mind, how far will your RTT hang out past the body line ??

[Lionelgee]

Hello Philry,

Another option could be to construct a rear mounted pivoting spare tyre holder like Debruiser has made on his shorty. See the photograph at http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members-rides/183428-nicks-1975-series-3-swb-8.html#post2180873. It also stores the hi-lift jack without taking up storage space.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[philry]

I doubt it would be legal as it makes the car over-width. In any case how does the load of the wheel against an aluminium sheet, stop it bumping and damaging the panel badly?

I think the bonnet is the best option.

Alternatively, see if you can find the parts to mount the wheel vertically inside the body at the rear. It could be covered with a vinyl cover to keep the occupants clean, if there is enough room for all of you,

Cheers Charlie

I was also wondering about the possible panel damage issue, it will be bolted onto the tub rail, and I would put a bit of foam on the contact area down the bottom, but even though its 4mm steel I would imagine it could still bounce and potentially do damage.


IIRC, the max protruding past the outer limits of a vehicle (not including the mirrors) is 150mm. I would hazzard a guess that the spare would be more than that.

With this in mind, how far will your RTT hang out past the body line ??

Yeah spare wheel would more like 250-275mm at a guess, looks like its probably not the best idea to use this mount.

The RTT is only 1400mm wide so actually sits within the width of the car.


Hello Philry,

Another option could be to construct a rear mounted pivoting spare tyre holder like Debruiser has made on his shorty. See the photograph at http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members-rides/183428-nicks-1975-series-3-swb-8.html#post2180873. It also stores the hi-lift jack without taking up storage space.

Kind Regards
Lionel

Cheers lionel, could be an option, I'm no good with fabrication so would need to commission someone to make it/modify the rear chassis to suit.

Thanks for your advise guys, I might dig out that mountable bonnet first off and give that a crack, see how i like peering over the spare :)

[lowmion]

I have my spare mounted to the rear of the seat wall in the tray, which keeps it out of the way when in ute or hardtop, i have the bonnet mount as well but it makes the bonnet very heavy to open. I can supply pictures of the tray mount if you need.

[BadCo.]

Being an older truck can you not just claim it came with the side wheel carrier and be exempt from such rules? Or does it not work like that?

For example, a mate has a 1985 2 door 110 and he can legally carrier as many people as he can fit in the back with out seatbelts because it was built before some cut off date.


-Bad

[isuzurover]

...

For example, a mate has a 1985 2 door 110 and he can legally carrier as many people as he can fit in the back with out seatbelts because it was built before some cut off date.


...

You must have some strange rules over there...

I agree with others that the protrusion beyond the "envelope" of the vehicle would likely be too much for the side mounted spare to be legal.

[Dougal]

You must have some strange rules over there...

I agree with others that the protrusion beyond the "envelope" of the vehicle would likely be too much for the side mounted spare to be legal.
Drive an old enough car here and you don't even require a speedo. But I think you'd still be liable for speeding tickets.

[Mick_Marsh]

Being an older truck can you not just claim it came with the side wheel carrier and be exempt from such rules? Or does it not work like that?

For example, a mate has a 1985 2 door 110 and he can legally carrier as many people as he can fit in the back with out seatbelts because it was built before some cut off date.


-Bad
Yep. We call them ADR's or Australian Design Rules.
Yes, when talking about modifying or adding accessories to vehicles, know the year your vehicle was manufactured to find out which rules apply.

[rick130]

Pre '75 CJ Jeeps had the option of mounting the spare wheel on the drivers side of the rear tub, but can't say I've ever seen one mounted there in Oz, and mine had a swing away carrier at the back.

[Jondavball]

Does that mean a Wolf Land Rover would be illegal here in Australia? I have been tempted to get one but may have to reconsider.

[harry]

looks pretty cool, how do they see what's behind when the mirror looks at the spare tyre?

[philry]

Thanks guys, ended up just going with the bonnet mount option, here's a pic with RTT and bonnet installed!

My only real issue with the bonnet mount is that if I mount the spare from the set of wheels i'm using, it sits up way to high and I lose visibility (wider than standard sunraisas with 31" tires), I will just carry a skinnier series rim for now.