To carrier, or not to carrier

OwenB · Mar 15, 2016

Hi all

My 90 Hard Top doesn't have a spare wheel carrier.
Due to not wanting one attached to the door, and door hinges at a slightly odd height this is the only option for a rear carrier at a good price http://www.paddockspares.com/pm287-paddock-swingaway-rear-spare-wheel-carrier.html

My question really is solely regarding looks.
In your opinion, does the Defender look better with the rear wheel mounted on the back, or not?

Thanks

farmershort · Mar 15, 2016

Mount it on the bonnet? I think that's what I'm going to do to my rebuild.

bankz5152 · Mar 15, 2016

You'll barely see it. Just be careful what size tyres on there, ive seen someone going up a pretty steep incline and forced the spare through the rear window!

Always thought bonnet mounting is, for lack of a better word, stupid. Reduces visibility (more so with larger tyres) and makes the bonnet considerably heavier for when you want to open it as well as potentially scratching your bonnet to buggery when taking the spare on and off.

OwenB · Mar 15, 2016

Not keen on having a bonnet mounted one, but thanks for the reply.

It would be a 235/85 on a Boost alloy, and it's not going off-road really.

Part of me thinks a Defender 'NEEDS' a rear mounted wheel to look right, but another part of me is thinking about saving some cash!

blue beasty · Mar 15, 2016

As nature intended. ..

OwenB · Mar 15, 2016

blue beasty said:
As nature intended. ..

View attachment 98095

THAT is a BEAST! Like it!

LandyMan · Mar 15, 2016

if you haven't got seats in the back, just put it in there

OwenB · Mar 15, 2016

LandyMan said:
if you haven't got seats in the back, just put it in there

No room in the back either as I need the room.
It's either on the back, or at home.

LandyMan · Mar 15, 2016

OwenB said:
No room in the back either as I need the room.
It's either on the back, or at home.

back it is then

blue beasty · Mar 15, 2016

OwenB said:
No room in the back either as I need the room.
It's either on the back, or at home.

It's really useful to have at home because then you always know where it is when you need it......

flat · Mar 15, 2016

bankz5152 said:
You'll barely see it. Just be careful what size tyres on there, ive seen someone going up a pretty steep incline and forced the spare through the rear window!

Always thought bonnet mounting is, for lack of a better word, stupid. Reduces visibility (more so with larger tyres) and makes the bonnet considerably heavier for when you want to open it as well as potentially scratching your bonnet to buggery when taking the spare on and off.

its really not that bad. I have a 7.50r16 on my bonnet and its fine, bonnet is reinforced and you gotta be a weakling not to be able to open it with it attached. front visibility is fine, i have tried with it on and off and there genuinely isn't much difference

hughesy · Mar 15, 2016

If you can't lift your bonnet with a spare wheel on it how are you going to lift one on or off the back door? I only open my bonnet maybe once a week but I need to open the back door several times every day so even with a swingaway jobbie to save the door from imminent destruction it would be a pain in the arse to have it on the back.

zeaphod · Mar 15, 2016

I fitted the paddock carrier last year. It means the wheel doesn't sit quite as close to the door, but not massively different. It does save your door hinges though, and it you are ever need to carry bikes, they can be mounted on the spare wheel and you can still open the door. I'll dig out a photo.

zeaphod · Mar 15, 2016

Have a look here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zeaphod/albums/72157656555476939
In the midst of the holiday snaps there are shots of "Nellie" with the rear wheel on the carrier, and the bike mounted on the rack.

OwenB · Mar 15, 2016

zeaphod said:
I fitted the paddock carrier last year. It means the wheel doesn't sit quite as close to the door, but not massively different. It does save your door hinges though, and it you are ever need to carry bikes, they can be mounted on the spare wheel and you can still open the door. I'll dig out a photo.

Are you happy with your Paddock carrier?

zeaphod · Mar 15, 2016

Yes, fitted fairly easily, seems well finished. The only rust has been on a couple of the bolts that fit it to the chassis. I did have to drill out two of the existing M8 rear cross member holes to take the M10 bolts.

OwenB · Mar 15, 2016

Thanks very much.
Sounds ideal really.
Thanks for the pictures. That looks a lot of weight to be on the carrier with the bikes on. Impressive!

BTW there's some cracking pictures in there! Nice work!

zeaphod · Mar 15, 2016

OwenB said:
Thanks very much.
Sounds ideal really.
Thanks for the pictures. That looks a lot of weight to be on the carrier with the bikes on. Impressive!

BTW there's some cracking pictures in there! Nice work!

Thanks! The wheel carrier and fixings are very solid - no problem with two heavy mountain bikes. This was a 700 odd mile trip to Connemara and back, so lots of bad/bouncy roads - it was well tested!

mikescuba · Mar 15, 2016

My spare has been on the back for just over 25 years. I have just had to renew the door mounted carrier as it broke. I went for the same thing again. I also have a bonnet mount but I couldn't get used to it. I found it obscured my vision. I only use it when doing Morocco trips when I want to carry two spares.

Pricilla · Mar 15, 2016

hughesy said:
If you can't lift your bonnet with a spare wheel on it how are you going to lift one on or off the back door? I only open my bonnet maybe once a week but I need to open the back door several times every day so even with a swingaway jobbie to save the door from imminent destruction it would be a pain in the arse to have it on the back.

Yes I was getting fed up with the weight of my back door as I regularly open and close it during the day and often has it close on me if the vehicle is at a difficult angle....MUCH happier with it on the bonnet....plus it was ruining my back door. I should imagine it will be quite important to have the swingaway open when you open the back door rather than have to open the swingaway and THEN the door

To carrier, or not to carrier

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