If you’ve been unfortunate enough to suffer a flat tyre without having a spare wheel to hand, you’ll know just how inconvenient it is. Yet, did you know it’s not a legal requirement to carry a spare on board your VW Crafter or any other vehicle? In fact, these days it’s quite the opposite as The AA details:
“…with alloy wheels now commonplace but more expensive than the steel wheels they’ve replaced, and car manufacturers looking for opportunities to cut costs, space and weight, you’re lucky to find a spare wheel in the boot at all. There may just be a tyre sealant and inflator kit but if there is a spare then the chances are it’ll be a non-standard spare designed for temporary use only, and considerably narrower than your standard road wheels and tyres.”
While the lack of spare tyre may be inconvenient and rather annoying, it’s not the end of the world when you’re close to home or within an urban area. But, what if you’re travelling further afield and nowhere near any source of help? That’s where our VW Crafter Spare Wheel Carrier upgrade could come in handy!
Introducing the spare wheel carrier
Alongside other touring essentials like additional fuel tanks and roof racks, you’ll find our selection of spare wheel carriers. These upgrades are ideal for vehicles that are regularly used for overlanding and remote travel, with candidates for camper conversion such as the Volkswagen Crafter popularly fitted with aftermarket spare wheel carriers.
As the name suggests, a spare wheel carrier offers a storage solution for a recovery must-have. It is generally mounted on the rear door of the Crafter to provide a secure and robust area for stowing your extra wheel.
Best brands for VW spare wheel carriers
Here at 4×4 Works, we are proud to stock the best brands, and the most premium parts and accessories, and this extends to our range of spare wheel carriers. For VW Crafters, our vehicle-specific kits from Oryx Solutions and N4 Off Road Parts offer the best options.
German brand Oryx Solutions manufactures spare wheel carriers for the Volkswagen Crafter VW Series 1 (2007-17) and Volkswagen Crafter VW Series 2 (2018-on). Each delivers a heavy duty construction and durable powder coat finish that is made for rigorous use both on and off the road.
Our N4 Rear Door Spare Wheel Carrier for the Volkswagen Crafter Series 1 is another option. This high-grade, functional addition promises the same build quality and performance, with unique design features and a robust steel construction making it suitable for both 4×2 and 4×4 models.
Fitting your VW spare wheel carrier
While our VW Crafter spare wheel carriers can be fitted without modification and with only minor drilling thanks to their vehicle-specific design, it is recommended that your VW Crafter is installed with 180 degree hinges for the best and safest results. With 270 degree hinges, there’s a risk of the carrier slamming into the side of the van in windy conditions, which can cause panel damage.
It is also important to note that these kits are only designed to be compatible with standard wheels. They can also be used to carry any standard-size, 20-litre jerry can.
For further details about our VW Crafter spare wheel carriers, please click here.