Tigger73's 125TSI Tiguan Build Thread

[tigger73]

I do a lot of camping so I needed to go for a vertical installation of the spare wheel.
It's quite secure with ratchet straps and anchor points above and below the spare.
As you can see in the picture the space saver wheel gives me room for a fridge and some storage.
But it can be done with a full sized wheel.
I'll be buying a full sized wheel that I will attach to the camper trailer.
This will give me two spairs.

Yes I thought about going this way as well, however opted for the (wasteful) install with the wheel flat on the floor. I use the car for work and need to fit boxes/equipment in the boot. I think access is better with full width rather than having a deep (but narrower) boot.

[tigger73]

Just added a top layer of 3mm MDF and then double-sided taped everything together.

See edit to post #8 above

[Transporter]

Good job!
Did you take the picture how high was the floor before?
I use the woodworking glue for bonding the polystyrene foam.

[tigger73]

Good job!
Did you take the picture how high was the floor before?
I use the woodworking glue for bonding the polystyrene foam.

I thought I had a photo of the original floor sitting on top of the full size spare but can't seem to find it. The original floor used to sit up from the boot lip and now the new floor is slightly lower which is a big improvement.

All I have on top of the wheel now is some 3mm MDF and auto carpet so it's about as low as you're going to get with a full size spare. I did try without the 3mm MDF but then you got some lumpy bits over the tyre so added the MDF - $7 for a 1200x900 sheet so money well spent.

Also the MDF on top protects the polystyrene so it's probably worth it just for that.

If it comes apart then I'll try using soem PFA glue.

[tigger73]

OK. Here's a few "before" and "after" photos.

Original is just for reference with the space saver (stock):



Now with the full size wheel and the original flooring sitting on top:



After mods:




Here's the boot lip level view with full size wheel and "orginal" floor sitting on top:



And after fitting the new floor, the carpet now sits just under the height of the boot lip:




So it was a bit of effort but for around $300 I've now got a full size spare(second hand) and new boot floor. Certainly a worthwhile addition given that I do a fair bit of country driving and the occasional 100km on dirt.

Though (touch wood) I've never had a flat in 15months / 35,000km of driving.

[MGV]

Good work & thanks for the inspiration!

Got a flat the other day & it was a bit of a worry driving just 1km to have it repaired on the space saver as i was quite loaded up, was being a 'removalist' at the time!

As a side note, from now on, if & when i ever get another flat, i am going to offer the repair shop $10 on top of their repair price to not scratch my rims, as i now have a deepish scrape around each of the 10 spokes on an otherwise 'as new' wheel...

[tigger73]

Good work & thanks for the inspiration!

Thanks. At least someone appreciates my work. My wife couldn't understand why I spent all the time and energy just to drop the boot floor a few centimetres - she said she couldn't even notice the difference

Got a flat the other day & it was a bit of a worry driving just 1km to have it repaired on the space saver as i was quite loaded up, was being a 'removalist' at the time!

Have you ever looked at the load rating of that space saver?

I would worry about putting too much side load on the thing and popping it off the rim if you go around a corner just a little too quick.

As a side note, from now on, if & when i ever get another flat, i am going to offer the repair shop $10 on top of their repair price to not scratch my rims, as i now have a deepish scrape around each of the 10 spokes on an otherwise 'as new' wheel...

Bugger.

[towbar]

Tigger 73,
You have done a good job there retaining the original fit and look to the boot area. Having just done a bush trip, I must say the full size spare does ease some concerns associated with such travel. A question, the standard stubby radio antenna provides poor reception outside the metro area, do you know of any options in that area. Thanks, Alan.

[tigger73]

Tigger 73,
You have done a good job there retaining the original fit and look to the boot area. Having just done a bush trip, I must say the full size spare does ease some concerns associated with such travel.

Yes I see a full-size spare as a bit of an insurance policy when outside metro area.

A question, the standard stubby radio antenna provides poor reception outside the metro area, do you know of any options in that area. Thanks, Alan.

Actually this is the reason I haven't changed antennas from the standard "whip" antenna. I've looked at the various sharkfin and stubby options around, however think that they would be worse in terms of antenna gain/reception so I've stayed "stock".

If you're serious about wanting decent radio reception in remote areas I'd suggest installing a purpose built aftermarket antenna something like: AM/FM Radio Vehicle Mount Mobile Antennas: The largest and best range in Australia - ZCG Scalar

[Tiggy1]

Have found that setting boost options in 'Advanced' settings to 'Diagnostic', instead of 'Automatic' provides more recognisable readings in PSI.

That is, 0 to 12 PSI for my stock 147.

Cool - will have to try that. Didn't want to appear too much of a dummy by asking why it is showing as -ve