Rear/spare wheel carriers

Submitted: Thursday, Mar 03, 2005 at 17:18

ThreadID: 20937 Views:6840 Replies:8 FollowUps:8

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Pterosaur

Hi,

I've recently purchased a 78 series troopy camper, and am looking at spare wheel carrier options. I have checked the comments in the archive, but wonder if there's any more recent experiences/opinions out there ?

Just got quoted $3k for dual rear (Kaymar) carriers......bit stunned by the cost ! Anyone know of other manufacturers who make similar items ? (cj4wd site is still there, but no contact details) - otherwise will try and get a one - off made. Spoke to a local welding shop bloke, who thought the original rear bar would be strong enough to support the wheels (if so why is the only commercial model I've seen involve complete replacement of the rear bumper ?).

No Opposite lock store here, and I'm a bit suss on that chain since the Perth shop tried to charge me $40 for a replacement globe for my spots.

Any info, (or if you've been here before me) plans would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

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Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 03, 2005 at 17:25

Thursday, Mar 03, 2005 at 17:25

Pterosaur,

After making the Kaymar single wheel carrier into a dual carrier on the 80 Series, I am going to make my own dual wheel carrier for the Troopie.

The main reason for doing it myself is that I want to make it a little different to the average rear bar wheel carrier.

Wayne

AnswerID: 100986

Follow Up By: Pterosaur - Friday, Mar 04, 2005 at 20:27

Friday, Mar 04, 2005 at 20:27

Wayne,

If only my welding didn't look like a cocky with a bad case of diahorrea had been about !

cheers

Terry

FollowupID: 359169

Reply By: Ruffstuff - Thursday, Mar 03, 2005 at 17:29

Thursday, Mar 03, 2005 at 17:29

Try K & N Fabrications in canning vale, they also sell through ARB but you can go direct.

Other than that keep an eye on the quokka for second hand swing out type.
Putting 1 swing out on the standard rear bumper isnt too much of an issue, but i think you will be pushing it with two.
Also if you are loading it up with camping gear , you might want to make sure your suspension is up to the task.

AnswerID: 100988

Follow Up By: Pterosaur - Friday, Mar 04, 2005 at 20:25

Friday, Mar 04, 2005 at 20:25

Thanks ruffstuff, I'll check them out - troopy is still pretty new, I'll load it up and check suspension before any major trip.

cheers

Terry

FollowupID: 359168

Reply By: Big Kidz (Andrew & Jen) - Thursday, Mar 03, 2005 at 18:14

Thursday, Mar 03, 2005 at 18:14

ARB are just about to release their very own Rear bar and you should ring head office and price one and find out just when they are available.

Andrew

AnswerID: 100997

Follow Up By: Pterosaur - Friday, Mar 04, 2005 at 20:21

Friday, Mar 04, 2005 at 20:21

Thanks Andrew,

They're only doing rear carriers for GU, 80 and 100 series (no troopies) at the moment, and will be (slightly) less than Kaymar model.

cheers

Terry

"If fishing is a sport, then I must be an athlete !"

FollowupID: 359166

Reply By: Ray Bates - Thursday, Mar 03, 2005 at 19:49

Thursday, Mar 03, 2005 at 19:49

Hi I had a rear wheel carrier on a 60 ser L'Cruiser. I gave it the flick as it was too much trouble to open the rear doors. One time it swung open and nearly cleaned up another vehicle. I finished up making a false floor behind the back seat and storing the spare there. There is room for tools and recovery gear as well. I have since done the same thing with my 80 series and my dog loves the false floor as she can look out the window as well.
I wouldn't have a spare wheel carrier on the rear as in my opinion they are not worth the money. They may look posh but serve no practicle purpose. Go and buy yourself a piece of good plywood and make yourself a false floor then you can also hide your tools away as well. A lot cheaper as well

AnswerID: 101011

Follow Up By: Pterosaur - Friday, Mar 04, 2005 at 20:22

Friday, Mar 04, 2005 at 20:22

Hi Ray,

no room in my troopie, it's a camper

thanks for the reply, tho'

FollowupID: 359167

Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Thursday, Mar 03, 2005 at 21:55

Thursday, Mar 03, 2005 at 21:55

g'day mate,

Sorry you had a bad experience with Opposite Lock in the past; but my dual wheel carrier is from them. It was one of their first ones and they found that it needed a couple of strengthening gussetts to stop it from cracking. I got Pesty to weld them on for me (he's not a bad bloke for a yota owner...hahaha) and it works really well. It's been over a shyte load of crappy, corrogated roads (including 2 trips to cape York) and never had a problem. It has a small gas strut on each swing arm which limits overall travel and slows the movement down to a manageable speed.

I've gotten used to having to open the swing-arms every time I want to open the back doors. I've never timed it, but I'd be surprised if it takes more than 10 seconds to do them both. It's no big deal, really.

Mine cost about $1,700- (I fitted it myself with a mate's help), but that was about early 2002.

Cheers,

Roachie

AnswerID: 101040

Follow Up By: BenSpoon - Friday, Mar 04, 2005 at 18:37

Friday, Mar 04, 2005 at 18:37

Roachie- Did the same thing with mine- $1700 odd for the gas-strut dual carrier. When I actually went to pick mine up from OL Karratha they had just recieved a fax half an hour earlier quoting the increase in the price of steel as the reason for their 10% price hike. I managed to get in early though. Apparently their price is close to the kaymars nowadays, though slightly less due to the lack of an inbuilt towball.

I have since found that each of the wheel mounts (gusseted models) have needed to be rated to 1 tonne each just to be strong enough to handle the mass of the tyre and forces of corrugations etc. Something to keep in mind if making your own.

FollowupID: 359152

Follow Up By: Pterosaur - Friday, Mar 04, 2005 at 20:18

Friday, Mar 04, 2005 at 20:18

Thanks Roachie - I'm really a croweater too, just been in Tassie almost long enuff to grow the extra head ! No OL down here, but I'll check them out anyway.

cheers

"If fishing is a sport, then I must be an athlete !"

Terry

FollowupID: 359165

Reply By: Alex H - Saturday, Mar 05, 2005 at 12:18

Saturday, Mar 05, 2005 at 12:18

g'day,
I replaced the standard spare wheel mount on the back door of my defender with a swingout that puts the weight on the chassis. As I wanted to be able to open the door from the inside as well, I attached the swingout to the back door with a sliding system so it opens and closes with the door - no need to open it first. Food for thought if nothing else.

Its a homemade job, and I guess my welding can't be too bad, as its survived the Canning Stock Route, Gunbarrell Highway and Heather Highway with no problems at all.

Cheers,
Alex

AnswerID: 101203

Reply By: lost - Saturday, Mar 05, 2005 at 19:53

Saturday, Mar 05, 2005 at 19:53

hello pterosaure,
i have just fitted a kaymar carrier to my 78 series, i got it through arb, its only got the r/h arm on it so far(will get l/h arm in a month or so), it cost me $1900 fitted and when i get the left arm its going to be round $600 fitted.

arb have just brought out there own carrier/tow hitch and i had a look at one on friday and they are orsm, but they are only bringing them out for the 100 series and gu patrol, there is no plans at this time to make them for the 78 series.

i got a quote from K&N in perth for a carrier a couple of months ago, it was $2200 fitted,but it was just a carrier, i would have had to buy a tow hitch as well on top of it.

AnswerID: 101242