My solution to carrying a spare tyre.
I originally liked the swing out solutions that mounted to the tow bar, but then I realised I would lose the camera, the birds eye view and probably the reversing sensors as well. Plus of course it adds length to the vehicle.
Underneath isn't big enough for the diameter even if I moved the muffler which I had considered.
So it came down to exploring the best solution in the load area and I came up with mounting it vertical over to the side.
https://www.myoutlanderphev.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=809
https://www.myoutlanderphev.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=810
https://www.myoutlanderphev.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=811
I welded the frame together and with tyre in place positioned it front/back to allow the back seat to still recline 2 positions. It fixes at the edge of the join to the solid panel immediately behind the rear seats and the hinged section to get to the charger compartment still opens to about 75 - 80 degrees. Plus being fixed to the take-out panel, it can all come out once the tyre is removed to get to jack and everything else.
I will drive for a while and check everything is okay and then remove it and paint it - probably in the POR15 black after the welds and ground areas etch themselves a bit first.
Its also surprising how little rear vision it obstructs. Its only the far left corner and hardly by much. Where the seat belt comes out of the roof is where the edge of the tyre is. I tried to add a photo of the rear view mirror view but despite being under 1mb the attachments won't allow it.
I originally liked the swing out solutions that mounted to the tow bar, but then I realised I would lose the camera, the birds eye view and probably the reversing sensors as well. Plus of course it adds length to the vehicle.
Underneath isn't big enough for the diameter even if I moved the muffler which I had considered.
So it came down to exploring the best solution in the load area and I came up with mounting it vertical over to the side.
https://www.myoutlanderphev.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=809
https://www.myoutlanderphev.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=810
https://www.myoutlanderphev.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=811
I welded the frame together and with tyre in place positioned it front/back to allow the back seat to still recline 2 positions. It fixes at the edge of the join to the solid panel immediately behind the rear seats and the hinged section to get to the charger compartment still opens to about 75 - 80 degrees. Plus being fixed to the take-out panel, it can all come out once the tyre is removed to get to jack and everything else.
I will drive for a while and check everything is okay and then remove it and paint it - probably in the POR15 black after the welds and ground areas etch themselves a bit first.
Its also surprising how little rear vision it obstructs. Its only the far left corner and hardly by much. Where the seat belt comes out of the roof is where the edge of the tyre is. I tried to add a photo of the rear view mirror view but despite being under 1mb the attachments won't allow it.