Under slung spare wheel carrier

Baymare, spare caravan wheels have always been a bit of a nightmare. We erred on the side of caution, and never used the underslung cradle, simple carried it in the van, wrapped up, and then when on site, it went under the  van still wrapped up out of the way. Thankfully, we only ever needed to change a van wheel once, but it was on the M1. The van was jacked up, wheel off, spare on and we were back rolling in around 15 minutes. Got off and checked everything was ok asap, and then we continued onwards. Long time ago, and the M1 is far busier nowadays, and far more dangerous, but even if you need to get out rescue services, at least the wheel will be accessible. Our spare stayed in good condition as well, not being under van, having all wet and salt spraying over it.

I have a 2008 Coachman Amara with Alko underslung spare wheel carrier, only had 2 flats in 20+ years of caravanning, however, with mine the cradle simply slides out, firstly you have to take the split pin out of the retaining nut, unscrew the retaining nut and then pull the cradle/carrier out, it should just slide out of the supporting frame, the tyre sits in the cradle/carrier, 2 nuts hold the tyre inplace, undo, remove tyre, slide cradle back into storage position, return returning nut and split pin, no point putting flat tyre under van better to put inside van until you get to nearest repair garage, do not loose the nuts that you have taken off to remove the tyre

I find this whole process much easier if you can raise the caravan 2 or 3 inches, i did this by moving the caravan onto a leveling block, attach tow car, brakes on, brake on caravan, chock the good wheel, this also makes it easier to get the jack in place, I use a trolley jack, ensuring you have released the wheel nuts before jacking up, you can also use the lock and level if you have one but at £150 i found this too expensive. I do have Tyron bands fitted so on both occasions the tyre was stil sitting firmly on the wheel.

have to admit it is not easy and was a sprightly 65 when i last had a puncture, i think now i would call them that have all the good gear.

Your system seems to be slightly different, have you tried Youtube lots of videos on there re changing a wheel etc.

Thanks have worked it out I have to take the weight off it then pull the metal flap off and the wheel drops to the ground.

Once it's off and checked I will be carrying in the caravan don't fancy having to get underneath on a busy road if I have a puncture.

I think that the best purpose of the underslung spare wheel carrier is to create a misconception that you’re equipped to deal with a flat there. If, as suggested above, we’re expected to carry a trolly Jack, ignoring recommended bottle jacks, then consider for a moment, the weight and space taken by the trolly version. Even so, the weight and awkwardness of the spare wheel’s storage is enough to tax anyone of middle age and beyond. The universally best plan is to organise roadside rescue and leave the job to others.

It is an inherently bad design like many AlKo accessories, my Swift has a purpose built space in the front locker.

Agreed it would be easier to let the RAC or who ever to do it. But the last time I called them out I had to wait 4 hours. Getting it out wasn't as bad as I thought but glad I did the tyre was 16 years old still had the paper sticker on it. However, new tyre on wheel now inside the caravan and if I have flat its easy access jack up and be back on the road in minutes rather than hanging about.