TDCi Defender - Wheel Carrier

[dmdigital]

OK, so what have others fitted as the spare wheel carrier?

As I understand it the Bearmach carrier for the post 02MY Defender will fit but requires "a little modification". This rings alarm bells for me as I have no one to just pop around the corner to and get additional little bits to make it fit.

So will the Bearmach fit?
Does it need modifying to do so?
If it does, what needs to be modified?

Is there an alternative? I know there's the Scorpion Racing unit, but I suspect that (apart from being dearer) it will suffer the same problems.

I don't believe (after talking to Rovacraft) that there is anyone bring the Mantec wheel carriers in to Australia.

:confused:

[TimNZ]

Hi dm_td5, I have the Bearmach one fitted. The only modification I had to do was where the swiviling part attaches to the plate on the back door. I had to redrill the mounting holes. I'll post some pics when I get home.

Cheers,

Tim

[dmdigital]

Thanks Tim, pic's would be great:)

[one_iota]

Mine will be the one from Opposite Lock:

Opposite Lock Australia (http://www.oppositelock.com.au/detail.asp'dxdeptid=7&cxcatid=7&ixkey=7214)

Opens with the rear door.

In the order of $875 fitted.

I will be doing this with the fitment of OL's 45l auxiliary tank as these two things need to be done in conjunction.

[TD5_Fender]

This is my Kaymar wheel carrier that i just fitted about 2 weeks ago.

It is a bit more expensive than the bearmach one but after removing an opposite lock wheel carrier that i put on it first, i wished i had just paid the extra money and got the Kaymar carrier in the first place.

It is heaps stronger than any of those other wheel carrier's and is completly independant of the back door.

Anyway hope that helps you out

[jimbo110]

This is my Kaymar wheel carrier that i just fitted about 2 weeks ago.

It is a bit more expensive than the bearmach one but after removing an opposite lock wheel carrier that i put on it first, i wished i had just paid the extra money and got the Kaymar carrier in the first place.

It is heaps stronger than any of those other wheel carrier's and is completly independant of the back door.

Anyway hope that helps you out
Any chance you could take some more pic's of the mechanism etc, I can feel a project comming on..........................;)

[TD5_Fender]

Any chance you could take some more pic's of the mechanism etc, I can feel a project comming on..........................;)
Yeah no worries, i will try to remember to take some more photo's tomorrow

[TimNZ]

In the order of $875 fitted.




Ouch!!! The price of Quality!

Tim

(Just wondering if it would be cheaper to leave the spare at home, and if you get a flat have it flown in???? :) )

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Derek,
I too can highly recommend the Kayamr carrier.

It only bolts onto the rear cross member and is as strong as an Ox.

The other common swing aways pail into insignificance compared to the Kaymar. Yes they are more expensive, but defo worth the investment.

Regards,
Jon

[dmdigital]

The Kaymar is a strong unit. Two things I don't like about it though.
1. Costs an arm and a leg
2. Has a separate catch to the door.

I've had Kaymar swing arms on Disco's, they are very good, but the most annoying thing is that they have to be unlatched before opening the door. Now if there was a way around this then I'd be interested.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

The Kaymar is a strong unit. Two things I don't like about it though.
1. Costs an arm and a leg
2. Has a separate catch to the door.

I've had Kaymar swing arms on Disco's, they are very good, but the most annoying thing is that they have to be unlatched before opening the door. Now if there was a way around this then I'd be interested.

Remove the latch and install an electrically operated solenoid that shoots the pin through the latch and catch plate:):).

I agree they are expensive, but hey, you have a brand new Defender, whats another 1000 AU$???!!!?!?!?

The seperate catch on the door is something that Ive learned to live with and to be honest dont find it a great problem. Mines always locked open whilst we are parked up / camping and shut whilst driving and parked in the drive.

Far more annoying in my mind is the irritating squeal from those nylon bushes in the mantec's after a few months use, or the need to drill the tub to install.

Regards,
Jon

[yt110]

[QUOTE=one_iota;803819]Mine will be the one from Opposite Lock:

Opposite Lock Australia (http://www.oppositelock.com.au/detail.asp'dxdeptid=7&cxcatid=7&ixkey=7214)

Opens with the rear door.

In the order of $875 fitted.

I have just fitted one of these to my county,so far so good,I like the adjustable bush too.

[Scallops]

[QUOTE=one_iota;803819]Mine will be the one from Opposite Lock:

Opposite Lock Australia (http://www.oppositelock.com.au/detail.asp'dxdeptid=7&cxcatid=7&ixkey=7214)

Opens with the rear door.

In the order of $875 fitted.

I have just fitted one of these to my county,so far so good,I like the adjustable bush too.

I have one of these OL numbers - they are OK until you do some real corrugations - Mine fell apart on the Gibb River road - here is a pic...

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/6371/dsc0045qo8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/6371/dsc0045qo8.cb2280c28f.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=154&i=dsc0045qo8.jpg)

I didn't even realise it was about to fail until another Defender driver asked me about mine (he had the OL carrier too) as his had done the same thing - he actually pointed the weld break out to me. I had to remove the wheel and carry it on my roof. If he had not by chance been there and pointed it out to me - it would have failed on my way from Windjana Gorge to Derby.

Got it temporarily welded in Derby, but fixed properly by Alice OL - it was NOT the first time they had experienced the exact same problem either - you will need to modify it with the following gusset...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=147&i=dsc0047co1.jpg)

- if you use this carrier and don't do this mod - it will most likely fall apart if you drive rough tracks for any extended period of time - beware... Quality eh?

[extreme]

i have a kaymar wheel carrier also,no problems in 5 years.

[TimNZ]

A few photos of the Bearmach Carrier:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/183.jpg

Top Mounting Point:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/184.jpg

Door Mount:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/185.jpg

This is the part that need modifing, I had to redrill the four holes that attaches the door mount to the plate on the back door:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/186.jpg

The only thing I really don't like about this carrier is that the spare wheel no longer sits parallel to the back door. However the door opens so much nicer now.

If you are having trouble with your back door staying open its probably because LR did not tighten the nuts up that hold the "latching spring bar" in place. My one had just moved out of the way:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/05/931.jpg

It should look like this:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/182.jpg

Cheers,

Tim

[one_iota]

Thanks Tim...I was wondering whether being crushed by the rear door closing was just another Defender thing.:mad:..I'll have a look at that on the weekend.

I was thinking of mounting the extinguisher on the inside of the rear door so taking the rear door trim off to have a look will kill two birds with the proverbial stone. :)

[jimbo110]

Thanks Tim...I was wondering whether being crushed by the rear door closing was just another Defender thing.:mad:..I'll have a look at that on the weekend.

I was thinking of mounting the extinguisher on the inside of the rear door so taking the rear door trim off to have a look will kill two birds with the proverbial stone. :)

I fitted a gas strut to my old 110, that solved the door closing problem. Couldn't get the door catch to hold well enough when the truck was parked on an angle, even the side of the road.:(

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/180.jpg

[one_iota]

Getting back to the OL carrier and Scallop's experience, I have alerted the local OL man about this and he is going to have a chat with the manufacturer. He has not had any adverse feed back (and he has one on his Defender) so it will be interesting to hear back from him.

[TD5_Fender]

Any chance you could take some more pic's of the mechanism etc, I can feel a project comming on..........................;)

Here are some more photo's of my Kaymar Carrier

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/167.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/168.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/169.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/170.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[TD5_Fender]

Still can't work out how to upload these photo's properly yet.

[JamesH]

All the useful information in this thread and others has sort of got me bogged. I have my spare wheel lying on the floor in the back. I thought i wanted a Bearmach but there have been negative comments and I'll have to pay somebody to install it. Then I thought about the Kaymar but the $$$ slowed me down.

I don't know if I'm being stupid but i just don't like the idea of seperate systems. I want to go to the back of my vehicle and just open the door.

[one_iota]

All the useful information in this thread and others has sort of got me bogged. I have my spare wheel lying on the floor in the back. I thought i wanted a Bearmach but there have been negative comments and I'll have to pay somebody to install it. Then I thought about the Kaymar but the $$$ slowed me down.

I don't know if I'm being stupid but i just don't like the idea of seperate systems. I want to go to the back of my vehicle and just open the door.

I know how you feel...the Disco carries a spare wheel on the rear door and from that on occasion I have also mounted a bike rack and 3 bikes...no issue.

So I am plugging for a one operation carrier that can cope with the loads static and dynamic. If the OL version has some issues then let OL know and then fix it...looks like basic engineering to me :).

The Kaymar jobbie seems to put a lot of faith on a simple cantilever where as the others use a triangulated structure to best effect. All OL need to do is bolster the structure of the bottom fixing plate and they are home and hosed.

I guess my point is that we need to feed back to the makers of the products the "real world" experience. If they are worthy of our patronage and continued custom they will respond...innovation and continuous improvement are the buzz words.

and this is the power of aulro.

[jimbo110]

Here are some more photo's of my Kaymar Carrier

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/167.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/168.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/169.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/170.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/app/data/DSC010401.JPG

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/171.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/172.jpg


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/173.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/174.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/175.jpg

It's all good!......Thanks for that mate......:BigThumb:

[yt110]

Getting back to the OL carrier and Scallop's experience, I have alerted the local OL man about this and he is going to have a chat with the manufacturer. He has not had any adverse feed back (and he has one on his Defender) so it will be interesting to hear back from him.
The one I have has the modification done by the manufacturer,if I could workout how to add pictures,I could show you.

[numpty]

We have the Scorpion Racing one from Rovacraft and are happy with it.

On our recent Central Australia/Madigan line trip, some of the corrugations encountered were horrendous. It was brought to our attention whilst driving that the wheel moved around a lot, but on examination there have been no ill affects, in fact nothing has moved at all (which is what I would expect).

It has similar mountings to the Bearmach jobbie, but the rear quarter brackets extend right across.

[dmdigital]

Well I've ordered the Bearmach one. I know it will take the vibrations, because I've had one on the other Defender for 18 months, and its seen some really good corrugations:twisted:

Thanks everyone, especially Tim for the Pic's of the back of his Puma.

[TimNZ]

Well I've ordered the Bearmach one. I know it will take the vibrations, because I've had one on the other Defender for 18 months, and its seen some really good corrugations:twisted:

Thanks everyone, especially Tim for the Pic's of the back of his Puma.

No worries Derek! :D

Tim

[LROV90]

With the door open on the O/L / Bearmach carriers how much room is there between the tyre and the back of the car? I only ask because I run 255's or 34" Simex's so I was wanting to make sure the back door would still fully open.

[TimNZ]

My one looks like this with the standard 235/85/R16 Tyre:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/98.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/09/848.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/99.jpg

Cheers,

Tim

[one_iota]

Getting back to the OL carrier and Scallop's experience, I have alerted the local OL man about this and he is going to have a chat with the manufacturer. He has not had any adverse feed back (and he has one on his Defender) so it will be interesting to hear back from him.

So I've just received feedback from OL. Its wheel carrier is now being produced with the gusset as standard based on the experience above...the manufacturer was aware of two instances.

I'm satisfied with that and will proceed down this path.:)

[tolinja]

Got it temporarily welded in Derby, but fixed properly by Alice OL - it was NOT the first time they had experienced the exact same problem either - you will need to modify it with the following gusset...

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/6164/dsc0047co1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/6164/dsc0047co1.0b453ea037.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=147&i=dsc0047co1.jpg)

- if you use this carrier and don't do this mod - it will most likely fall apart if you drive rough tracks for any extended period of time - beware... Quality eh?[/QUOTE]

thanks for the advice

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/09/849.jpg


cheers
chaser

[Tusker]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/09/848.jpg

I've been following this thread with interest..

Coz my rear door has the same sag as Tim's, look at the door's shutline along the bottom edge..

Mine sagged quite quickly, then hasn't got any worse in the last 5 yrs.

Regards
Max P

[TimNZ]

I've been following this thread with interest..

Coz my rear door has the same sag as Tim's, look at the door's shutline along the bottom edge..

Mine sagged quite quickly, then hasn't got any worse in the last 5 yrs.

Regards
Max P

Hi Max, I hadn't noticed that! ( :( ). However looking at the left hand vertical shut line that seems fine. Could be a case of a not so square door in a not so square hole.....

As for the carrier, it's already started squeeling when I move the door! Looks like I'll be fitting some grease nipples.

Tim

[Dave110]

We have the Kaymar carrier strong as but the Defender rear member let us down (see posts somewhere in tech chatter) still in the process of redesigning the fix point need to find some spare time!

[one_iota]

So I've just received feedback from OL. Its wheel carrier is now being produced with the gusset as standard based on the experience above...the manufacturer was aware of two instances.

I'm satisfied with that and will proceed down this path.:)

This is how the standard Front Runner (OL) wheel carrier has been modified:

Note that the side gusset now extends below the lower horizontal member.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/09/375.jpg

[Bushie]

Did see a failed rear wheel carrier on a Defender while I was at Suttons in Alice Springs on our recent trip, not sure if it was an OL one but looked quite similar and had failed the same way.


Martyn

[Scallops]

Did see a failed rear wheel carrier on a Defender while I was at Suttons in Alice Springs on our recent trip, not sure if it was an OL one but looked quite similar and had failed the same way.


Martyn

If that was in late July - it was mine! ;)

[dmdigital]

Well Bearmach carrier is all fitted now. Sticks out a bit from the rear door more than the Tdi I one on my other Defender. Little rubber doorstop isn't even coming in contact with anything.

[solmanic]

I was wondering - has anyone purchased one of these wheel carriers from this eBay mob? (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:VRI&item=220351705575) And is $500 a reasonable price? The ad says it is a Bearmach one.

[dullbird]

looks like the same one we have on ours (bearmach)........survived all the heavy corogations we did up north ok....only gripe sits off the door a bit more than it should

[Savanahkelpy]

So guys, who retails the kaymar wheel carrier, and do they have an outlet, in far north queensland. I know that there is an opposite lock outlet, in Cairns, as i,d like to get or make a comparison, (cost, etc). Living in or near a big city must be great for buying accessories, but the bush is closer to me. :)
Cheers all.

[dmdigital]

Kaymar retails through ARB. OL will sell you a different brand similar to the Bearmach.

[rijidij]

The Kaymar is a strong unit. Two things I don't like about it though.
1. Costs an arm and a leg
2. Has a separate catch to the door.

I've had Kaymar swing arms on Disco's, they are very good, but the most annoying thing is that they have to be unlatched before opening the door. Now if there was a way around this then I'd be interested.

The new wheel carrier that I'm currently working on will mount on the chassis using original holes. All the weight will be taken on the chassis mount, with a stub axle and bearings, similar to how the Kaymar is mounted, but mine will open with the door, similar to the Bearmach. I think the biggest mistake made with wheel carriers is they allow too much movement. I saw one recently that cost the owner $1000 fitted and it had a rubber buffer that wasn't even touching anything. The carrier itself needs to be stiffened up in the closed position to prevent any 'rattle', and the tyre wall needs to rest firmly against the carrier to stop any movement.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/71242-rear-wheel-carriers-defenders-countys.html

If my prototype turns out well, I hope to get some time to make a few up and make them available to buy.

Cheers, Murray

[rijidij]

Is anyone able to tell me the measurements for the bolt pattern for the wheel carrier on the one piece door. I think it was introduced in '02 and is probably the same right up to the current Puma.
I would like to be able to make my carrier so it will suit any model.

A. is from the top of the chassis.
D. is from the hinge side edge of the door.
All measurements to the centre of the bolt holes if you can please.

Cheers, Murray


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/01/81.jpg

[dmdigital]

If you can hold off to the weekend I can measure the one I took off the Puma and the back of the Puma. The old carrier is sitting in the shed at present and I'm not going to get soaked to the skin going to fetch it. It is currently bucketing down rain.

[Michael2]

Why I like the Kaymar.

I bought my Defender with a Kaymar wheel carrier, in all honesty, I would have been too tight to spend that kind of money myself.

However, now that I have it, I can compare it to others.

(1) it is MUCH stronger

(2) it doesn't touch the back door. Now I know you all want the convenience of something that opens with the back door, but on a recent trip a member with one such wheel carrier gently reversed into a dead dried out tree with a 6 inch wide trunk, that just fell on impact. That nudge was enough to bend the wheel carrier, and at the same time dent the back door and break the glass on it. I don't believe the Kaymar would have flinched in such an impact, and even if the impact were strong enough to flex or bend the wheel carrier, the door would still be safe.

(3) Because it's locked at 2 points on the chassis, I feel comfortable stepping on the spare wheel to get roof rack access, I wouldn't with a lighter duty carrier that hinges onto bodywork and the door.

You could justify the Kaymar by projecting costs over the life of the vehicle. I reckon the others would all need some strengthening or repair at some stage, either to the carrier, the door or the bodywork.

- Michael

[dullbird]

Why I like the Kaymar.

I bought my Defender with a Kaymar wheel carrier, in all honesty, I would have been too tight to spend that kind of money myself.

However, now that I have it, I can compare it to others.

(1) it is MUCH stronger

(2) it doesn't touch the back door. Now I know you all want the convenience of something that opens with the back door, but on a recent trip a member with one such wheel carrier gently reversed into a dead dried out tree with a 6 inch wide trunk, that just fell on impact. That nudge was enough to bend the wheel carrier, and at the same time dent the back door and break the glass on it. I don't believe the Kaymar would have flinched in such an impact, and even if the impact were strong enough to flex or bend the wheel carrier, the door would still be safe.

(3) Because it's locked at 2 points on the chassis, I feel comfortable stepping on the spare wheel to get roof rack access, I wouldn't with a lighter duty carrier that hinges onto bodywork and the door.

You could justify the Kaymar by projecting costs over the life of the vehicle.
I reckon the others would all need some strengthening or repair at some stage, either to the carrier, the door or the bodywork.
- Michael

on the defence of that its also mounted a 3 points which spreads the load over all of them...
mounted to the door to the body and to the crossmember.......where as the kaymar is only mounted on the crossmember, I would be concerned that something that would be hard to damage and support the weight of a wheel on one piviot point would have to weight a lot! my concern would be the fatigue of the crossmember........

I don't think cross members are overaly strong (one of the first things to rust in the uk)...I think having a heavy item hanging off one point on it would not do it any favours either

[Michael2]

on the defence of that its also mounted a 3 points which spreads the load over all of them...
mounted to the door to the body and to the crossmember.......where as the kaymar is only mounted on the crossmember, I would be concerned that something that would be hard to damage and support the weight of a wheel on one piviot point would have to weight a lot! my concern would be the fatigue of the crossmember........

I don't think cross members are overaly strong (one of the first things to rust in the uk)...I think having a heavy item hanging off one point on it would not do it any favours either

Hi Lou,

When the Kaymar is locked in, the weight is also taken at the 2nd point, which is near the (L) chassis rail. The design prevents any movement. And given that many Defender tow hitches utilise only the cross member and not the chassis rails, then I think the weight is well within the capabilities of the cross member. Still, I take your point about weight, as so many accessories are just too heavy.

[solmanic]

I still prefer the convenience of being able to open the back door easily.

...so back to my original question, is $500 ($525 delivered) for the Bearmach carrier on fleabay a good price or not?

[Scallops]

I still prefer the convenience of being able to open the back door easily.

...so back to my original question, is $500 ($525 delivered) for the Bearmach carrier on fleabay a good price or not?

From what I remember from my wheel carrier buying experience $525.00 delivered is a very good price.

[dullbird]

fom my experience its the same price

[dmdigital]

I still prefer the convenience of being able to open the back door easily.

...so back to my original question, is $500 ($525 delivered) for the Bearmach carrier on fleabay a good price or not?


From what I remember from my wheel carrier buying experience $525.00 delivered is a very good price.


fom my experience its the same price

When I bought a Tdi and a Puma version of the Bearmach 4 months back the Puma (and post 2002) variant was $75 more than the Tdi version. Including freight to here was just shy of $500. I did shop around and that was the best price at the time.

[dullbird]

When I bought a Tdi and a Puma version of the Bearmach 4 months back the Puma (and post 2002) variant was $75 more than the Tdi version. Including freight to here was just shy of $500. I did shop around and that was the best price at the time.

as far as I was aware they didn't do one for the PUMA we are just fitting TD5 carriers

[dmdigital]

Why I like the Kaymar.

I bought my Defender with a Kaymar wheel carrier, in all honesty, I would have been too tight to spend that kind of money myself.

However, now that I have it, I can compare it to others.

(1) it is MUCH stronger

(2) it doesn't touch the back door. Now I know you all want the convenience of something that opens with the back door, but on a recent trip a member with one such wheel carrier gently reversed into a dead dried out tree with a 6 inch wide trunk, that just fell on impact. That nudge was enough to bend the wheel carrier, and at the same time dent the back door and break the glass on it. I don't believe the Kaymar would have flinched in such an impact, and even if the impact were strong enough to flex or bend the wheel carrier, the door would still be safe.

(3) Because it's locked at 2 points on the chassis, I feel comfortable stepping on the spare wheel to get roof rack access, I wouldn't with a lighter duty carrier that hinges onto bodywork and the door.

You could justify the Kaymar by projecting costs over the life of the vehicle. I reckon the others would all need some strengthening or repair at some stage, either to the carrier, the door or the bodywork.

- Michael
Actually I think the key issue with the Kaymar is the strength of the rear cross member it bolts on to, not the tyre carrier itself.

My personal preference is for the open with door style having had a Kaymar on a D1 I found it very inconvenient, particularly when its bucketing down rain or everything is covered in dust or mud.

As for the rear window... They can also do it, but not as easily! The worst though is the standard door mounted spare:eek:

[rijidij]

If you can hold off to the weekend I can measure the one I took off the Puma and the back of the Puma.

Thanks Derek,
No rush, whenever you get a chance, that would be great.

Cheers, Murray