Best way to fit a full size spare in the boot

[Ralphs]

Work on my wife's Tiguan ???

But then it would take all the satisfaction out of working on your own car to make it better

...and probably bump up the price too.

Perhaps I wasn't clear ..... the Tig is the wife's car.

You are assuming that I can wield those power tools in my shed to do something useful! Even my wife doesn't expect I can do anything useful with them, in fact if I start one up she get nervous!

[tigger73]

Thanks for this link and for sharing. Great idea and good work.

I just don't understand though; how when an owner can do this .... why can't VW engineer it that way out of the factory? Even if the full size cost more at least have it available.

But then it would take all the satisfaction out of working on your own car to make it better

...and probably bump up the price too.

[Ralphs]

Thanks for this link and for sharing. Great idea and good work.

I just don't understand though; how when an owner can do this .... why can't VW engineer it that way out of the factory? Even if the full size cost more at least have it available.

[desvejk]

I have one - A good idea.

An air pump is also a necessity.

[pologti18t]

You could invest in a puncture repair kit....



All CX5s have a space saver.

[Transporter]

Nice solution.

You could also put the spare tyre on the roof for the long trips when you don't tow the trailer.

[desvejk]

In the best of all worlds I'd love a full size spare on the Tiguan.

I though about modifying the existing boot area for a full size wheel but rejected it because I carry a fridge and pantry storage for camping. Imagine taking all that out in the event of a flat!

My solution was to stay with the existing space saver but to place it in a upright position to the side. This means I can get to the spare without moving my fridge.

The fridge and the pantry occupies the area taken up by the space saver wheel and substantially increases the amount of usable space!!! This is a big advantage for me.

To get a full size wheel I have attached one to my Cub Off-Road camper trailer on Cub’s utility arm. In fact I have two spares - one for the Tiguan and one for the Cub. This has an added advantage of lowering the ball weight on the Tiguan for towing, so it’s a win win situation.

Admittedly when I don’t have the Cub camper with me I’m back to the space saver only. On balance, I believe this is a reasonable solution.

I’ve done lots of outback travel with the Tiguan and it’s a fantastic tow vehicle and handles rough roads extremely well. The includes the Flinders Ranges, the Savannah Way, Outback Queensland and many bush tracks.

As far as value for money and comfort goes the Tiguan and Cub camper trailer is great for travelling.

The Tiguan is a solid 4WD with only low clearance limiting it’s performance.

[JohnoC]

PS. Neat job!

[JohnoC]

Thanks for sharing the photo's, I'm now on the hunt for a spare full-size tyre for 'the Quan'! It's a lack of a full-size tyre that has played on my mind wheneverwe decide 'not' to venture too far off the beaten track. cheers

[TobyJ82]

Desvejk,

Could you repost the picture? Doesn't seem to be working and would love to see the setup. I've had my car 6 months and had two flats already, and the space saver is a right royal pain. The speed rating of 80km/h is severe inconvenience when you need to get around and use the freeway.

[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

[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]

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.

[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]

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.