Spare wheel stowage

[jimed]

I've just been pondering the above as I am doing 2 trips to Scotland in the next few weeks and would like to take the spare with me rather than the sealant jobbies. The issue as most will know is that with the spare strapped in the boot in its correct location it then becomes almost impossible to put the roof panel in and then shut the boot lid. I do have a cut roof and it seems watertight even though no seals (there is the roof fabric down the join at both sides and that has been well proofed but it is not always easy to push both sides together tight enough so always slightly risky) but if it is really wet over a couple of days (and nights when it would just be sat there rather than being driven) I suspect water would eventually find its way down the join and then just pour in so I'd rather not take that risk. (The surrey roof is not much use for me - tried one and one of the struts was almost hitting my head when sat in my normal position so a no-no).
This has set me wondering if I could put the roof panel in and then stow the spare and jack, etc. without it smashing about in the boot. Some strap arrangement for the spare would not be too easy to do as suspect stowing the roof panel would prevent that (jack stuff might go behind one of the seats but nowhere to fix straps or anything at the numberplate end of the boot) so has anyone done anything like that?
Any thoughts appreciated otherwise I might have to finish up with the cut roof and risk it ....
Jim

[ronspeedsix]

I don't understand the fuzz about the roof getting it with spare wheel in place. It's not that hard though ?
The only disadvantage I had on my trips was that I had to take the luggage out when removing/refitting the roof. For that reason I am considering the split roof option.

Getting the split roof watertight I think there are small foam rubbers that filll the room between the two roof sections.Glue it at one panel.

http://www.eagetrubber.com/pps_img/03816_1.jpg

Ronald

Edited by ronspeedsix on Monday 27th June 21:09

[stevesprint]

jimed said:

I do have a cut roof and it seems watertight even though no seals (there is the roof fabric down the join at both sides and that has been well proofed but it is not always easy to push both sides together tight enough so always slightly risky)

Jimed
Persevere with the split roof as they are much more convenient.

ronspeedsix said:

Getting the split roof watertight I think there are small foam rubbers that filll the room between the two roof sections.Glue it at one panel.
http://www.eagetrubber.com/pps_img/03816_1.jpg
Ronald

Glue two flat 2 to 3mm foam strips one on each edge between where the two panels meet and then use 2 x TVR S adjustable roof catches to pull the two halves water tight together.

The adjustable catches are still available from RS plus I used Seals Direct Adhesive Backed Expanded Neoprene Strip - AEN9 25 x 3 mm
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/toggle-latches/24555...

http://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/shopping.asp?intDepar...

The only word of warning is you have to handle the foam edges with care but mine is still intact and water tight after 5 years.

[jimed]

I wonder why my roof won't sit down enough to close the boot lid properly with the spare in? I'll have another go at that.
As everyone says the split roof is so much easier. I did try and put some of the rubber sealant onto the roof fabric where it comes down between the two halves but it just pealed straight off and that was when I had cleaned it (ie. No proofer on it). I assume the split roofs you mean don't have the fabric down between the two halves and as such gluing to the panel itself would be better. I would be reluctant to cut the fabric back as it does look good without that. Guess I might just have to bite the bullet....maybe a simple roof cover for overnight....
Jim

[Colin RedGriff]

Personally I wouldn't bother with the spare wheel. Where are you going to put the wheel you take off when you put the spare on?

I'd take some sealant and make sure your breakdown cost will transport you to a the shop if necessary.

I've not carried mine for years.

[jimed]

I've had another go with the spare in and it does mean that however I try the roof won't sit far enough down to let the boot shut - well I could force it which pushes the lid up so no use.
Re the sealant, the breakdown stuff says you must have the supplied spare with you, I did query that and explain about where to put the punctured wheel but they didn't want to know based on if it comes with it etc. I have gone with the sealant in the past but some roads in Scotland are extremely quiet and often with no phone cover so a blowout type of
damage which is not repairable with the sealant would leave me stranded. Hence the idea to look for a different answer.
Jim

[Big Ashy]

Hi Jim, hope you're well, long time no see!

Having had similar problems going to various events over the years with a boot full of tackle, I have experienced similar issues. However I find the trick is to ensure the spare wheel is strapped in as far to the right as physically possible whilst also keeping it as upright as possible. Once the roof is bagged up, the roof then needs to go in upside down (front facing floor), mohair facing petrol tank and critically the top left hand corner as far into and up inside the rear wing as possible, this allows the top right hand side of the roof to sit lower to allow the boot to close without issue.

Apologies in advance if this is all straightforward stuff known to Griff owners prior, but without wanting to teach you to suck eggs so to speak, this works for me and leaves plenty of space for luggage etc

Enjoy your trip!

Cheers

Adrian

[jimed]

Hi Adrian - as you say long time etc! Nice to hear from you. Yes I have done all the things that you advise but it still sits up at the right hand side. Real nuisance ...
Jim

[stevesprint]

jimed said:

I assume the split roofs you mean don't have the fabric down between the two halves and as such gluing to the panel itself would be better. I would be reluctant to cut the fabric back as it does look good without that. Guess I might just have to bite the bullet....maybe a simple roof cover for overnight....
Jim

Yes I do have fabric down the sides and that's why the foam edges have to be handled with care. You're right not to cut the fabric as that would leave a rough unsightly edge.


If you already have a good consistent join hopefully you'll get away with one strip of foam and the TVR S catches to put the join tight together, Otherwise you’ll have to peel back the fabric and sand the fibreglass to make the gap wide enough for two strips of foam.

Edited by stevesprint on Tuesday 28th June 19:39

[Pete Mac]

jimed said:

I've had another go with the spare in and it does mean that however I try the roof won't sit far enough down to let the boot shut - well I could force it which pushes the lid up so no use.

Discussions about split roofs and sealant aside, you are not doing it right. There is only one way. Are you by chance putting the wheel in first? Because that won't work...... sorry if I sound patronising and I am sure you are not. You need to empty the boot, with the roof inside facing out and slide it down to the nearside corner. Quite a tight technique and perhaps a video would help. Pete

[jimed]

That does look a lovely neat job Steve - especially the box to hide the clips!! What glue did you use to put the seal on? Think the stuff I tried already had the glue on as from memory it had a peal off layer on it but it wouldn't stop on - not even for a few seconds it just dropped straight off.
I have been pondering Adrian's post and decided to have another go with the spare in a bit earlier and after some shoving/lifting at the near side success! Despite this I still think the split roof is the easiest one to go with so guess it is currently down to the weather forecast.
Jim

[stevesprint]

jimed said:

That does look a lovely neat job Steve - especially the box to hide the clips!! What glue did you use to put the seal on? Think the stuff I tried already had the glue on as from memory it had a peal off layer on it but it wouldn't stop on - not even for a few seconds it just dropped straight off.
I have been pondering Adrian's post and decided to have another go with the spare in a bit earlier and after some shoving/lifting at the near side success! Despite this I still think the split roof is the easiest one to go with so guess it is currently down to the weather forecast.
Jim

Jim,
That's not a box hiding the clip, that's the actual latch/catch, see the RS link above.


I didn't use glue, the foam has a sticky back. Here's the rest of the roll with the supplier and part number.


Pleased to hear you finally made the spare wheel fit, might be worth checking your spare tyre size isn't larger than normal.

Have a safe trip.
Steve

[jimed]

Thanks Steve. Yes the spare tyre is the normal one as far as I can see, however it does say that the tyre should be inflated to 60psi with the implication that it is also run at that pressure. As such the tyre is certainly bigger than it would be at a lower pressure and I suspect that with the normal tyres being at a much lower pressure I probably wouldn't need the spare at 60 so if anyone has any good advice re that it might make it easier to get the roof in as a little less tyre sticking out would make a difference!!
Jim

[Hoover.]

Colin RedGriff said:

Personally I wouldn't bother with the spare wheel. Where are you going to put the wheel you take off when you put the spare on?

^^^^^^THIS....... If you are struggling with your boot being full, where are you going to put the wheel you take off.....they are huge in comparison to the spare.... try fitting a full size one in an empty boot and you will see what we mean

[PershoreTVR]

At risk of taking this train off on a tangent - have you looked at a Surrey roof from Roger Morris? I have had mine for 2 years, it folds nicely into a bag and sits on top of whatever else I have in the boot. Easy to move out in the bag and fitting is a 2-3 minute job and no worries about leaks.

In the summer I only ever carry the Surrey roof and the normal roof never finds its way into the boot (I do miss the slight sense of achievement of getting it in an reminisce over my struggles when a new Griff owner).

Web address:
http://www.cambria-cirrus.com

Cheers

Shaun