Can't fit the spare wheel under the van !!!!!

[dazzler441]

I have a set of 14" Carat's on the van including a spare, I was doing routine maintenance and checked the spare wheel for pressure etc and noticed that it was a 185 R14 tyre compared to 205 R14 tryes that I have fitted to the rest of the van. Went off and got the tyre changed (it was well worn) to the same as the rest of the van and now I can't get the spare wheel back under the van.
Is there an art to this? Do I have to modify the spare wheel cover? Am I the only one that has this problem with the larger tyres?
All ideas and help greatfully received.
Thanks

[itchyfeet]

Dont think it was designed for more than a 185 some of those can be a squeeze

[ghost123uk]

Question, did you get a 205/70 profile, or a straight 205 (which is actually a 205/85)

On mine a 205/70 profile just about fits with a good shove, but I changed over the the slightly taller straight 205's and the spare now does not fit I have to carry a std steel as an emergency "get me home" spare, not forgetting a set of studs and nuts (for front/rear) as the Carrat ones are different to steel ones.

[R0B]

A deeper carrier was an option on these vans.I have been looking for one for many years as i have carats,But with no luck.Although i can get mine closed with a bit of persuading,

[ghost123uk]

A deeper carrier was an option on these vans. I have been looking for one for many years as i have carats, but with no luck. Although i can get mine closed with a bit of persuading,

Good info

If yours are 70 profile dazzler, give it some welly

[dazzler441]

Welly it is Thanks all

[g60steve]

I have a set of 14" Carat's on the van including a spare, I was doing routine maintenance and checked the spare wheel for pressure etc and noticed that it was a 185 R14 tyre compared to 205 R14 tryes that I have fitted to the rest of the van.

There's the problem right there....standard steels and tyres are 185R14C...standard alloys and tyres are 205/70/14.

205R14's will not fit in the wheel carrier because they are 80 or 82 profile.....at least 41mm bigger than 205/70/14's!!

[billy739]

an easy way to tell if your van came from factory with alloys!

it WILL have a slightly different wheel carrier ( and bars I believe) to the standard one.!

its only the front bracket that's different.

I have always sold my 'full' sets of alloys (x5) with the spare wheel carrier ! not that anyone ever noticed! lol

and I do have one going spare.......

[R0B]

PM sent mate.Put my name on it.

[CovKid]

It is possible (though not straightforward) to modify the carrier to accept a fatter, bigger tyre, but it takes some welding and sussing.

Mind you, you'll need to eat plenty of spinach to push the carrier up with a bigger tyre/wheel in it anyway

[California Dreamin]

I did the same as you when I picked up a Carat for the spare o my California...swapped the 185R14C for a 205/70R14 and after 20 minutes of swearing gave up and put the 185 back on.

Martin

[CovKid]

Its no better with a 195 x 15. Trouble is, even if the carrier is altered, it has to be done incredibly well lest it drops down when you're bombing down some dual carriageway and pole-vaults you into oblivion. Spare wheels on tailgates aren't perfect by any means and making space inside is plain silly.

I just have a stock wheel and tyre like everyone else. Its got me out of trouble once or twice anyway. The only other option is mod the carrier but you'll need your thinking cap on and put safety first in any changes made. Wheels & tyres outside the norm don't even fit the well of the carrier properly so it tends to amplify the problem.

[Midge]

This might be a hopeless idea, but my first thought is to try fitting it under there with most of the air out - maybe 5 or 10 psi.

So long as you have a 12v compressor in a cubby hole somewhere you can inflate the spare after-removal/before-swapping?

My logic is not of Vulcan proportions, feel free to tell me I'm daft

[ghost123uk]

If anyone tries that idea ^^^ let us know if it works

[CovKid]

If only it were just an air problem. The well accepts the profile (shape) of a stock tyre and not much else. If its a bigger tyre (ie taller), it won't fit even if basically the same thickness as a stock one so letting the air out won't help much if at all. I think you have to see how well your spare sits in the well when its down, and go from there.