I have been over to the storage site of our new caravan this morning to sort a few things out cupboard-wise and decided to have a look at the under-slung spare wheel. Guess what - there is not even enough ground clearance to get it out at the site, let alone when the main wheel may be deflated. What a load of cr**, I do wish I still had the Avondale features of through floor spare wheel; and over-axle gas cylinder cupboard (as I am also struggling to get the nose weight down to 75kg with just a single part-filled cylinder in the front).
You're right - NOT fit for purpose
- Thread starter WoodlandsCamper
- Start date
Having bought one of the Avondales from their last year I am afraid the internal storage had gone. Not sure why as it was one of the best ideas for many years.
I agree. with WCamper.
Prior to our current Bailey Senator with Alko wheel carrier we had an Avodale Malvern and a A/D Landranger. Both had the internal, underfloor spare wheel well.. I had to change the wheel on both 'vans, easy peasey. Lovely clean spare wheel which lifted easily out of the storage well. Whe the wheel had been changed the wheel with the puncture dropped easily into the well until the tyre could be repaire.
A couple of years ago at a night halt in France with the Senator we awoke to find a flat nearside tyre. It was a tustle to lift the c'van high enough on the muddy pitch to get the spare wheel out. I hasten to add the wheel carrier was well greased AND I had practised removing the spare wheel when we first got the c'van. After I had changed the alloy wheel for the steel spare as space in the car was at a premium I foolishly tried to get the alloy wheel into the underslung spare wheel rack. It wouldn't fit and I ended up badly scratching the wheel on the securing bolts. Wheel with the puncture had to be squeezed into the car. By this time I looked like a mud wrestler and had to have another shower
before we could get going, delaying our journey even more.
When we got home I had to have alloy wheel refurbished.
As you say not fit for purpose. The Avondale central gas locker was brilliant too. No noseweight problems with those c'vans.
So much for progress.
Tim
Prior to our current Bailey Senator with Alko wheel carrier we had an Avodale Malvern and a A/D Landranger. Both had the internal, underfloor spare wheel well.. I had to change the wheel on both 'vans, easy peasey. Lovely clean spare wheel which lifted easily out of the storage well. Whe the wheel had been changed the wheel with the puncture dropped easily into the well until the tyre could be repaire.
A couple of years ago at a night halt in France with the Senator we awoke to find a flat nearside tyre. It was a tustle to lift the c'van high enough on the muddy pitch to get the spare wheel out. I hasten to add the wheel carrier was well greased AND I had practised removing the spare wheel when we first got the c'van. After I had changed the alloy wheel for the steel spare as space in the car was at a premium I foolishly tried to get the alloy wheel into the underslung spare wheel rack. It wouldn't fit and I ended up badly scratching the wheel on the securing bolts. Wheel with the puncture had to be squeezed into the car. By this time I looked like a mud wrestler and had to have another shower
before we could get going, delaying our journey even more.
When we got home I had to have alloy wheel refurbished.
As you say not fit for purpose. The Avondale central gas locker was brilliant too. No noseweight problems with those c'vans.
So much for progress.
Tim
My Challenger has it in the front locker. Why o why dont they put the underslung spare available from the rear of the caravan?
every one seems that the front window is more important than a spare wheel yes you can look at the stars but can you get to site if you get a flatty.
The Swift Corniche 1994/6 era had the spare wheel in a small locker in the rear panel. Very easy to get to and helped to keep the noseweight reasonable, although I appreciate it is not ideal to put heavy items extreme front or rear. This seems the next best idea to the Avondale method. Strange that neither is available these days.
The new carrier by Bailey (page 99 of Nov edition PCv magazine) doesn't look much better either. It's still open to the elements and could be difficult to get out if you have a flat.
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