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Post by glenw on Feb 26, 2008 16:11:13 GMT
the spare wheel for my daihatsu based romahome is currently taking up valuable space inside the camper body. The man I bought it off told me it can't go in its proper storage space underneath the vehicle because its impossible to get to it should you have a puncture.
I have seen bambi's (I think) with the spare mounted to the front on bull bars but I wondered if anyone had tried it on a Daihatsu or if anyone else had other cunning storage solutions!
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Post by barry5933 on Feb 28, 2008 13:21:38 GMT
The Berlingo based Romahomes carry their spare wheel in the standard van carrier under the floor, just behind the back axle. Easy to get at in the Berlingo delivery van format, but the Romahome has an extra three to four feet of bodywork behind the back wheel. Therefore to gain access to the spare would seem to involve a major expedition with miner's helmets, safety ropes and an absence of claustrophobia! As for putting it back in the carrier ...
I have not yet needed to take the spare out, and I am not convinced by the instructional pictures in the Romahome manual.
Has any-one first hand experience of a roadside spare wheel retrieval?
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Post by Derek on Feb 28, 2008 14:21:41 GMT
I have taken the spare wheel out but not at the roadside, I was fitting an anchorage for the dog harness. There aint much room, OK if you are slender, I am 60 Kilo of muscle and sinew  , I don't think one of my porky mates could get under there. |
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Post by romingtim on Feb 28, 2008 19:09:52 GMT
Barry,
My Outlook Duo, delivered January 07, has it's spare wheel directly behind the drivers seat. I used to think it was a big waste of space but looking at the road clearance it would be tight to get it out from under the van.
Also I have discovered that it creates a perfect place to install a good quality alarm as there is a gap behind the wheel on the bulkhead, above the jack.
Romahome also supply a nice 'leatherette' brown wheel cover to make it look less obvious!
Tim
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Post by barry5933 on Feb 28, 2008 19:53:09 GMT
There is no such wasted space in our HyLo.  Behind the driver's seat lives; - the bagged awning - poles and pegs - awning hammers and suchlike - silver screen - two folding camp chairs - other general cargo (walking boots, thermos flasks etc) encroaching from the space behind the passenger seat, which in turn is filled with; - bike panniers - bike water bottles - oil filled heater - sundry shoes - etc etc Under the chassis is the only place available for the spare wheel  |
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jax
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
1986 D Reg called Elvis
Posts: 47
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Post by jax on Feb 29, 2008 9:26:45 GMT
Yep to all these comments! The spare wheel exists in solitary beauty out of reach underneath Elvis's bottom (Citroen C15) so I just make sure I have one of those aerosol blowy-up tyre widgets in a handy place in case of a flat. You wouldn't believe they can work BUT, years ago when I had a flat in my previous Romahome, it miraculously inflated the tyre and I could drive to the nearest garage where a nice man in overalls sorted it out. Trouble is, even if you can't reach it, I think its illegal not to have a spare on board.
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Post by playallday on Feb 29, 2008 11:19:14 GMT
Yep to all these comments! The spare wheel exists in solitary beauty out of reach underneath Elvis's bottom (Citroen C15) so I just make sure I have one of those aerosol blowy-up tyre widgets in a handy place in case of a flat. As does mine. What a great idea...what is the product you mentioned and where might I find it? Just for the craic, I googled for "aerosol blowy-up tyre widgets" and nothing showed!! But.....it did ask "Do you mean 'aerosol blow-up tyre widgets'?" and listed half a dozen sites telling me how to use an aerosol to blow things up!!  |
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Post by jayjay on Feb 29, 2008 12:28:44 GMT
I have two spare wheels! One is inaccessible as it is behind the step up into the living space at the back of the pick-up bit. Its impossible to get at without cutting a hole in the inside step! I have another which just sits on the floor and slides out when I want the leg room, although I'd love to find one of those bull bar things to stick it on out of the way.
When you find out about these aerosol gismos, let me know - sounds a handy thing to have!
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Post by playallday on Feb 29, 2008 12:50:21 GMT
Isn't there already a hole on the riser? I just replaced the flooring and found one there and assumed you put your hand in there to remove the wheel although I haven't practised yet
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Post by romingtim on Feb 29, 2008 18:08:18 GMT
The spare wheel does jostle for space in mine too....
There are the jump leads, the extra wheel brace, the torch...es, mini toolkit, ice scraper (in the winter)...and general other bits that need a home.
So it's not really such a wasted space, and it means no crawling under the vehicle in the wet and cold....as it invariably is if you get a puncture!!
Tim
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Post by Pauline on Feb 29, 2008 19:39:14 GMT
I keep mine round my waist ;D
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robin
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 65
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Post by robin on Mar 1, 2008 11:35:05 GMT
oooeerrrr I had better go and look where mine is! But if I ever get a puncture I will send for a very very nice man.
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jax
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
1986 D Reg called Elvis
Posts: 47
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Post by jax on Mar 2, 2008 10:20:16 GMT
The aerosol thingy is called Hots Tyre Weld, emergency puncture repair. I got mine from Halfords and it was the larger of two sizes for about eight pounds, I think. You can't use it for big holes or if the tyre is away from the rim, but for a simple flat it will do the job on a temporary basis. A very handy gizmo to have! Blimey, Playallday, your google search was a bit of an eye opener, telling you how to blow things up! Anyway, hope you can find this product or something similar. If I was 60Kilo of sinew and muscle like Derek I might not need one. Ho Ho!
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jax
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
1986 D Reg called Elvis
Posts: 47
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Post by jax on Mar 2, 2008 10:22:36 GMT
Woops!! HOLTS Tyre Weld, not "Hots". I should re-read before I post. Sorry. Jax.
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Post by Derek on Mar 2, 2008 11:12:46 GMT
You can gain a bit of height by raising the back end with the jacks, get the wheel out, tie up the carrier with string or a plastic cable tie, raise the jacks, then lift the vehicle with the car jack and change the wheel. Bung the flat tyre into the back and off you go.
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Post by glenw on Mar 4, 2008 18:49:38 GMT
thanks for all your replies and helpful suggestions.
I now need to get some "blowing up stuff" in a can and to call at the mans house who I bought the van off in the first place as I have now found that the carrier under the vehicle isn't even in situ. He removed it and never gave it to me when I bought the van.! Luckily, he lives just outside Kidderminster so is perfectly placed for a slight detour en-route to Wolverley!
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Post by barry5933 on Mar 5, 2008 20:15:32 GMT
You can gain a bit of height by raising the back end with the jacks, get the wheel out, tie up the carrier with string or a plastic cable tie, raise the jacks, then lift the vehicle with the car jack and change the wheel. Bung the flat tyre into the back and off you go. I thought that the Romahome manual said NOT to use the jacks(corner steadies) to raise the back up as the body was not designed to take stress in that direction. And all advice says never to go under a vehicle supported only on the vehicle jack. I had another look under the van today, fully intending to take the spare wheel out for practice ... I went back indoors and had a cup of tea instead.  The thought of lying in 4" of space wiggling a heavy wheel and tyre out of a cage and then putting it back, just for fun . I know I have to do it someday, but perhaps some other day Seems that the nice Romahome people expect all users of their products to be superslim and agile.  |
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Post by Derek on Mar 5, 2008 21:45:11 GMT
I thought that the Romahome manual said NOT to use the jacks(corner steadies) to raise the back up as the body was not designed to take stress in that direction. I just knew I would regret putting that , I am not suggesting lifting the van off the ground with the steadies. just easing the back up an inch or so and giving a degree of confidence when you slide under. And all advice says never to go under a vehicle supported only on the vehicle jack. No argument with that. The thought of lying in 4" of space wiggling a heavy wheel and tyre out of a cage and then putting it back, just for fun Blimey, what you got in your van, mine has 11" clearance. Getting it out is not too bad as you just slide it off the carrier, putting it back on to the carrier and lifting it onto the hook is more of a struggle, not a fun job. |
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Post by barry5933 on Mar 6, 2008 20:39:23 GMT
No, it's not the load in the van that's the problem, rather the ground contours under the van. The wheels are supported on paving slab runs, which have sunk below the level of the adjoining grassed surface. So although there may be more clearance at the edges, in the middle there is enough room for a mouse but nothing much taller!  |
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Post by scruffin on Apr 10, 2008 15:00:33 GMT
I know where mine is, as I had to put a new tyre on it on purchase last year. Made sure I was up to date with Green Flag, and as 70ish will wait for some kind soul to help me!
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kriss63
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 98
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Post by kriss63 on Apr 10, 2008 21:37:50 GMT
Mine is on the front bull bars (thank goodness) Suzuki Romahome - dont fancy wiggling under the back one bit.....
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Post by peterholden on Apr 11, 2008 19:53:51 GMT
The spare wheel on our Outlook Exclusive is behind the drivers seat. although I am 6ft tall we still manage to keep the silver screens and a folding chair and table there as well. the hook up cable lives in the centre of the spre wheel. I have made a bracket under the bonnet for the jeck and that allows the space behind the wheel to be used for the awning poles, pegs and mallet. I also have a number of plastic boxes on the floor behind the seat. The table etc stand ontop of them. At the side of the wheel next to the door pillar ar the warning triangle and the rechargeable torch. I have fitted a tray under the drivers seat. The space behind the drivers seat - well that is filled with all sorts, filled to the maximum. We have to use all available space because we have the toilet option and so have lost most of the cupboard at the back, but we do have a bag that fits ontop of the porta potti for shoes and folding step. Oh and we carry two foling bikes and table and chairs in the Luton.
We used to have a C15 and going on holiday we had a puncture on the Thelwall Viaduct. getting the spare wheel out and changing the tyre was an experience that I would not like to repeat.
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Post by dancer on Apr 11, 2008 20:45:23 GMT
In my duo outlook the spare wheel is also behind the drivers seat, and there it is alone i have nothing else stored there, i find i have enough space everywhere else, under the seats, over the cab, ect, ect i try to keep it to a minimum, don`t want to over load the van, the suspention is bad enough as it is, but having said that there are some good storage tips mentioned.
Steve
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Post by peterholden on Apr 12, 2008 10:37:26 GMT
Dancer
What suspension problems do you have?
I fitted Grayston spring assisters to our C15 but our Outlook came with MAD assisters fitted. Our only problem is that it appears a little low at the back but we have never had any difficulty.
By the way Ant reckons that the Grayston assisters are the better buy.
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Post by dancer on Apr 13, 2008 22:25:56 GMT
Hi peter, theres no suspension problem, i just meant in my opinion the suspension is to soft, every bump the van is nearly scraping on the floor, i will change the shocks for better ones me thinks,
steve
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, I don't think one of my porky mates could get under there.
The thought of lying in 4" of space wiggling a heavy wheel and tyre out of a cage and then putting it back, just for fun 
