Al-Ko Spare Wheel Carrier.

[Paullus1959]

I removed the underslung Al-Ko spare wheel carrier from my caravan today, a job I'd planned for some time and I'm so pleased I've done so.
This is also a word of warning to anyone who has this device to carry their spare wheel and like me have tended to forget about it.
Removing the carrier itself from the caravan chassis is relatively easy, even with the spare wheel still attached.
However, actually removing the wheel from the carrier proved to be a problem. The wheel is secured in two ways. Firstly, a pressed steel boss with a captive nut goes through the centre of the wheel and tightens up on a bolt attatched to the carrier. Secondly, there is another bolt attached to the carrier which goes through one of the holes the wheel studs fit through and a 19mm nut goes on this bolt. A real belt and braces arrangement.
However, both fastenings had rusted up solid and would not budge. Only after soaking the nuts with WD4 and using lump hammer on the central fixing and a 19mm socket and extension bar on the other nut could I get the wheel off.
I certainly could not have have done this by hand and the thought of doing it at the side of the road on a dark rainy night doesn't bear thinking about.
I have bought a heavy duty storage bag for the wheel and it is now living under the bed.
My caravan is serviced every year and I know the spare wheel carrier has been greased so the tubes slide in and out but the retainers clearly have not been touched.
So, if your spare wheel lives under your caravan I suggest you check the retainers haven't seized up before you need the spare wheel in an emergency.

 

[Hutch]

Thanks Paullus, a timely reminded for all, I removed mine as soon as I got my caravan , and it also saves about 6kg in weight.

 

[Ern]

Our Alko spare wheel carrier is OK. I modified it in several ways to make it useable (just about). Took it out earlier this month and did the annual refurb, and it's back on for another year. These things are rubbish really, but you can improve them if you really need to use it.

 

[Hutch]

Our Alko spare wheel carrier is OK. I modified it in several ways to make it useable (just about). Took it out earlier this month and did the annual refurb, and it's back on for another year. These things are rubbish really, but you can improve them if you really need to use it.

How did you modify yours, please tell us.

 

[Beachball]

On our caravan the Alko spare wheel carrier where our spare is has now moved to the front box so it easier to access when needed

 

[Buckman]

Ours is a straight drop down carrier although we have an ALKO chassis. The carrier with the spare on top of it is held in placed with a clip. Even my wife can access the spare wheel easily. I think it was a carry over from the BPW chassis.

 

[Woodentop]

Our two previous Bailey's had a slide carrier which I had to use once when I clipped the steel edge of a pump island in France and it took a chunk out of the side of the tyre. Had no trouble getting it off but when we got back and with the subsequent van I removed the slide and coated the tubes with Waxoyl. I also did same to the wheel mount and the retaining knob on the outside. All stayed perfectly usable.
For anyone who has a slide carrier in case you haven't noticed there is a hole in the end of the retaining knob shaft which used to be supplied fitted with a split-pin. I took it off and fitted a (Waxoyl soaked) Abus padlock and put a Durex over it all. Never had a moments trouble getting the padlock off!
Current Bailey has the crane type wheel retainer. I did take the precaution of wiping the steel wire with Waxoyl though just to make it slide well.

 

[DaveA1]

Took my carrier off the first chance I got. Tyre needed replacing because, two grooves had been worn into the side of the tyre, where the tyre sat on the carrier frame,
The rim was in the first stages of decay because of the amount of rust.
Removed all the rust and resprayed it, it now sits just in front of the axle, under the near side bed, always clean. Gave me another 6kg pay load, I use for other things.