I just bought an Al-Ko Spare Wheel Carrier for my Bailey Ranger 550/6 (the spare wheel in the front locker was causing noseweight problems). I have managed to decipher the instructions and fit it to the van (phew!), but there is still one aspect I am unsure about. I would appreciate advice from anyone familiar with fitting these.
Along with the bolt that holds the centre of the wheel in place, there is a second nut and bolt supplied, with the instruction:
"Depending on the diameter of the hole of the wheel, a hexagon head screw M12 is secured in place in the elongated hole of the connection bracket with two
washers and a hexagon nut."
I am unsure whether the second M12 bolt is needed, and what purpose it serves? It looks like it might be intended to pass through one of the bolt holes on the wheel to keep the wheel located in place. Is this right?
I haven't fitted the second bolt yet, but can easily fit it if it turns out I have omitted something crucial!
I'm also not sure why there are two self-locking nuts provided. Again, the instructions are unclear. There is only room for one locking nut to act as a stop underneath the wheel rim as described in the instructions.
The second bolt goes through one of the holes in the wheel and through the slot to prevent the wheel turning and just not relying on the center bolt to hold it.
Quote: Originally posted by albee on 03/6/2015
Hi, glad its just not me that has nose weight problems with bailey ranger. with spare wheel and 2 gas cylinders in there got no chance.
Hi. Yes, with spare wheel and 2 Calor Light bottles it was well over 100kg. Moving the spare wheel to the back and removing one gas bottle got it down to 75kg.
Quote: Originally posted by iscacamper on 03/6/2015
Hi. Yes, with spare wheel and 2 Calor Light bottles it was well over 100kg. Moving the spare wheel to the back and removing one gas bottle got it down to 75kg.
Yes - thats what we had to do with our old Ranger. I sometimes wonder if the people who design caravans have ever used one in their life !
I think the spare wheel was an optional extra. If you want everything sorted, buy the more expensive Pageant or Senator. The Ranger was a lot of van for your money so worth living worth its limitations.
Mine was the same and coupled with the other optional extra, the front chest and two gas bottles gave 140kg noseweight.
I just carried the spare inside the van and put it in the locker on site. I bought the spare wheel & tyre as it did not come with the van.
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Topic: Al-Ko Spare Wheel Carrier help!
