Would you buy a full size spare wheel carrier if it was available for your Tiguan?

**Transporter** · 14-05-2010, 05:45 PM

As you probably know the full size spare wheel carrier may be available, if enough interest is shown.
Please read More in this thread. before you vote.

**jimbomort** · 27-06-2010, 08:27 PM

Transporter I might be interested, though not sure whether you are still pursuing?

Took the wheel out today and the load space is quite cavernous without it. If you slide the rear seat forward a little as well (even 10cm), the load space in the Tig actually looks quite impressive. So I am interested if cost including the bike carrier is <$500, but not sure if thats possible.

Alternatively thinking of modifying a unirak from Bakrak in the UK. I imported one along with the basket rak carrier pictured in my pics of trip to Moreton Island. It would not be as fleixible for daily use, be harder to drop down out of the way of the door, though it might be possible if the wheel was angled slightly to avoid having to move it at all. In any event it would be suitable for freeing up space in the boot for 4wd or longer trips. Pic below.
http://i.imagehost.org/0055/unirak2.jpg
The unirak is very strong and the towball mount works pretty well, so I'd have no doubt it would handle a spare wheel. Its design also alloys fixing of all sorts of things, though not sure what those things might actually be.

**BigTig** · 29-06-2010, 09:28 PM

I am keen also...

**Transporter** · 29-06-2010, 10:48 PM

As there was no interest first I kind of abandoned the idea/project.

But, if there would be more people interested it may go ahead.

**BigTig** · 29-06-2010, 11:25 PM

I am keen mate as I picked up my car today and am either gonna work something off a Towbar or off the roofracks?

**jimbomort** · 30-06-2010, 02:41 PM

Transporter looks like there are a few interested, any idea of cost? I ask as I know Thule certainly dont mind charging for their stuff and I agine that will quickly put it in the over $500 category, but noting you had that category in the original post, not sure what you had in mind. A lot of the Thule Towball mounted carriers are $399 and up.

Not sure we could make it as convenient to use, but if we could the bakrak product I refer above would be a much cheaper base. Bak rak also have bike carriers which might have the tilt advantage, though I haven't looked at closely yet. bags, tow-ball mounted luggage, boxes, luggage, clam-shell bag, carrier, holiday luggage,waterproof bag, toeball, tow-ball, towball

**BigTig** · 30-06-2010, 10:04 PM

Guys,

Stupid question here but what would be the chances of mounting one on roof racks or is this a dumb idea? Sorry, I am new to all of this.

**jcubed** · 30-06-2010, 10:35 PM

Hi BT,

You can catch up on the history of this post in the Modifications and 'How To' guide sticky. The article explains all of the options considered, one of them being the roof rails - a la Touareg.

If you have a healthy back, this could work. A full size steel rim with tyre weighs just under 22kg - surprisingly only 4kg heavier than the space saver - so should be quite manageable, as the Tiguan roof is not that high.

Just check your Owner's Manual for the maximum allowable weight the roof is permitted to carry. I seem to recall around 50kg (or perhaps I'm confusing this with the LR2?). The mass of a set of Thule roof rails - Rapid Crossroad - is 3kg. If you use a basket also, that would probably add another 12kg - Thule does not specify - which leaves you the option of either adding a bag of wood or half a jerry can prior to reaching the load limit.

A very expensive spare wheel carrier, I would say.

**BigTig** · 30-06-2010, 10:49 PM

jcubed mate thank you so much for the detailed response, I greatly appreciate it.

I am keen to go with the Towbar option, how many people do you need in on it before we can get the ball rolling?

**jcubed** · 30-06-2010, 11:34 PM

Hi BT,

There are two issues at stake here. One is the minimum quantity of the laser cut part - to which the wheel attaches - in order to get it within reasonable cost, and the other is the point at which Transporter can offset the cost and time he must put in - being your local manufacturer/assembler/distributor. It is not simply a matter of just copying an existing design - there will definately be some trial and error - possible even improvement - on his part to compensate for e.g. the exact bought out component not being available locally. He would have to come up with his own engineering solution.

I think what both Transporter and myself are trying to avoid here, is a flash-in-the-pan event, where say, 5 of the carriers are built and then interest is lost, not by the motoring public, but by the supply chain. I.e. the product must be sustainable.

However, it is encouraging how the interest has picked up lately since the initial "thank you, but no thank you" reaction, and I think we can shortly expect a response from Transporter as to if, when, how and how much.