Which swing-away tire carrier?

[Kfumer]

[bsrad]

[Corwyn]

Any chance Burley will make them again? I'm in the market for a passenger-side swing . . .
_________________
'90 White Westy ("White Lightning")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja

"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~

[vanhelper]

I am trying to replicate the Pathfinder install. Maybe I can get some advice. I note that many mount the Pathfinder carrier with the top bar just below the bottom edge of the hatch window and it ends up pointing down slightly. I find, with my smaller diameter spare tire (Cooper Discoverer 205/65R15C), that I could mount it lower down, with the latch mounted to the hatch lining up with the very bottom edge of the hatch, while still not blocking the view of the license plate with the spare. Since the body quarter panel slopes out at the top hinge and in at the bottom hinge, this helps to level the carrier (and lower the CG of the carrier and spare). The main problem is that the gap along the top edge of the upper hinge increases and there is not enough meat to the top hinge to grind it to make a snug fit to the body over its full footprint. So I need something to fill the gap, something firm enough to take a compression and shear load. Any ideas? Maybe JB Weld? I could mold it with non-stick paper separating it from the body to keep it removable.

Also I am thinking I will make the backing plates linked together with angle iron or something so the lower one is easier to hold in place 'til I get the hinge bolts started. I can make the backing plate assembly using the carrier itself as a jig, off the van. If the backing plates match the carrier and the carrier is a good match to the body, then the backing plates should fit nicely inside. Again, any thoughts?

I will also add a short cable to prevent the carrier from swinging too far and denting the body at the hinge mounts.

Later.....
I think I will try WB Weld's product called SteelStik to fill the gaps between the Pathfinder hinges and the Vanagon body. That is after grinding the hinges to minimize the gaps. I will use non-stick paper between the body and the hinges to allow the carrier to be removed. I will probably use some double sided tape (like shadetreetim as I recall) between the outside of the body and the hinges when I finally install the carrier, just to provide some stick and a little cushioning. Hopefully I can scrape the tape off if needs be.

I will let you know how it turns out.

[vanhelper]

I think I will try WB Weld's product called SteelStik to fill the gaps between the Pathfinder hinges and the Vanagon body. That is after grinding the hinges to minimize the gaps. I will use non-stick paper between the body and the hinges to allow the carrier to be removed. I will probably use some double sided tape (like shadetreetim as I recall) between the outside of the body and the hinges when I finally install the carrier, just to provide some stick and a little cushioning. Hopefully I can scrape the tape off if needs be.

I will let you know how it turns out.

[SoloTheSyncro]

[chrismsnt]

Two is ALWAYS better than one...

_________________
Chris
1989 T3 Vanagon 16" Syncro
1967 Squareback
https://vwvandiesel.com
Instagram @VW_VanDiesel

[SoloTheSyncro]

Thank you all for the feedback! I tend to way over-think these things so this forum is a major tool for me! Appreciate it.

[mrshrimp]

[jimf909]

I don't think you'll be disappointed. It's a well designed, well executed product. The packaging is very good. Here are the parts for two swingouts and two complete Switchback systems (the table i'd 4'x6').

These clamps helped...

_________________
- Jim

[candyman]

[SoloTheSyncro]

After months of consideration and countless hours reading all the associated threads..., we just went all in on the RMW bumpers front/back/tire carrier/full guard,and swing out for box. Just put the order in this morning. I too was concerned about drilling into the body but it just seemed like the best choice for our overland use. Stock 2.1L so as much as I love the westy world bumpers, too heavy. I've seen several GoWesty full systems loaded and just doesn't seem all that stable. RMW seems like a good middle ground. We will see!

[912 outlaw]

If u decide to go with go westy,only get this 1 ,i have the short 1 is garbage ,and wobbles too much.You will need to purchase there bumpers though,so the cost is kind of steep

[jimf909]

^^^ Three years of carrying way too much stuff (far mor than a spare tire) and the racks and body are holding up just fine. I just took these pics and don't see any problems...

Too much stuff but the racks make it so easy to haul, swing open and open the hatch, etc. Recommended...

For a year or two I considered trying to mount the GW swing outs on the Twin Peaks bumper but didn't see an easy path. Plus, after seeing the GW swing outs Ikm not crazy about the design, fit and finish. FWIW, YMMV.
_________________
- Jim

[jiperrault]

Hey guys. We're contemplating a rear spare tire mount on our '91 Multivan/weekender.

Not to sound like the department of redundancy Dept., but how do theses holes in the sheet metal hold up after all this time with RMW/ Van Cafe spare tire mount, or is the jury still out ?
Any loss of strength in the sheet metal, rusted fastening points etc ?

I, like many others, are adverse to drilling holes in sheet metal, especially with our Van probably ending up in the Northeast in the future. But the design does look pretty well designed.

Has anyone attempted to mount a GoWesty bumper mounted swing arm to a RMW Twin Peaks bumper ?

Also, it looks as though Van Cafe has an stock location option too:
https://www.vancafe.com/SPTIRECARRIER-p/rmw-tc-spare.htm

[rontv]

I actually did

thx for the tip

[Abscate]

A clamp on set and a trailer harness and you are all set


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[rontv]

[chompy]

I think he's referring to the fact that you can't see your brake lights at all.
_________________
'81 Westfalia Subaru EJ22
Manual Transmission

[rontv]

It definitely looks like alot

but not more than what see of quy with double swingarms with sparewheels and lots of jerrycans an a box

but still im looking for something more simple