Spare wheel – looking for a definative answer

Frank Toogood · Jun 27, 2022

I've looked on all the threads, but still trying to find a definitive answer.

I have a T5 Beach with optional 18" wheels and no spare, though there is a carrier beneath

A month ago I had a puncture in the side wall of my van's front tyre. The puncture repair kit was useless in this situation, so had to get the van low loaded back to a tyre shop, having first called ahead to see if they had a tyre to fit.

They did and the replacement tyre cost £180.

(If I'd used the puncture repair kit for a nail for example, the tyre shop wouldn't have fixed it with all the gunk inside and would have cost £180 for a new tyre anyway.)

Because of this I think the best way to go is to have a spare for an emergancy, get me home.

So, I have 2 questions:

1. Will a 17" steel wheel with a larger tyre depth that matches the circumference of my 18" SportLine alloy and tyre (255/45ZR18 103Y XL) fit over the break calliper. If so, what would the spec be?

2. Will it then fit in the carrier beneath if not fully inflated?

Thanks in advance,
Frank

M88GAV · Jun 27, 2022

Sunny Yellow said:
I've looked on all the threads, but still trying to find a definitive answer.

I have a T5 Beach with optional 18" wheels and no spare, though there is a carrier beneath

A month ago I had a puncture in the side wall of my van's front tyre. The puncture repair kit was useless in this situation, so had to get the van low loaded back to a tyre shop, having first called ahead to see if they had a tyre to fit.

They did and the replacement tyre cost £180.

(If I'd used the puncture repair kit for a nail for example, the tyre shop wouldn't have fixed it with all the gunk inside and would have cost £180 for a new tyre anyway.)

Because of this I think the best way to go is to have a spare for an emergancy, get me home.

So, I have 2 questions:

1. Will a 17" steel wheel with a larger tyre depth that matches the circumference of my 18" SportLine alloy and tyre (255/45ZR18 103Y XL) fit over the break calliper. If so, what would the spec be?

2. Will it then fit in the carrier beneath if not fully inflated?

Thanks in advance,
Frank

View attachment 95251

I’ve just collected a T6.1 Ocean with the sport pack that includes 18” wheels and doesn’t come with a spare or the carrier.
I bought a 17” steel spare from eBay and the official VW carrier from the club shop. I fitted them yesterday, with the tyre fully inflated.
The van would have come with 17” Davenports so the 17” spare will fit over the disc.
The tyre is 215x60x17. The diameter is within 3mm of the 18” tyre

PIERPO · Jun 27, 2022

I have 18” alloys on my t6 and a 17” spare steel under van is it all right to use as a get me home tyre even with 4 motion

M88GAV · Jun 27, 2022

PIERPO said:
I have 18” alloys on my t6 and a 17” spare steel under van is it all right to use as a get me home tyre even with 4 motion

That’s what I have (never used as I only just got my Cali). From everything I’ve read on here and the T6 forum, it will be fine for use as a get me home tyre. The important part for 4motion is having very similar diameters. The 17” spare and 18” wheels are within 3mm, so “think” that is acceptable for emergency use.

SusiBus · Jun 27, 2022

If the diameter of a 17"wheel with say a 235/55 R17 tyre for a 4motion is within 3mm of the diameter of 18" wheel, why don't VW fit an 18" spare.?

M88GAV · Jun 27, 2022

SusiBus said:
If the diameter of a 17"wheel with say a 235/55 R17 tyre for a 4motion is within 3mm of the diameter of 18" wheel, why don't VW fit an 18" spare.?

I’m not sure. That’s the same with FWD too

M88GAV · Jun 27, 2022

SusiBus said:
If the diameter of a 17"wheel with say a 235/55 R17 tyre for a 4motion is within 3mm of the diameter of 18" wheel, why don't VW fit an 18" spare.?

The dealer offered to supply and fit a spare and the carrier

markab · Jun 27, 2022

You can use this to compare different tyre sizes for overall circumference difference. Something within 1or 2% should be ok for slow short trips to the tyre shop.

Tyre Calculator | AlloyWheels.com

Buy alloy wheels from AlloyWheels.com the biggest alloy wheel retailer! Free delivery, finance available, best prices guaranteed.

alloywheels.com

I think there is advice not to run different spec wheels and tyres on 4motion.

B J G · Jun 27, 2022

SusiBus said:
If the diameter of a 17"wheel with say a 235/55 R17 tyre for a 4motion is within 3mm of the diameter of 18" wheel, why don't VW fit an 18" spare.?

17" rims are 7" wide. 18" are 8" wide.

It's the rim width that is the problem as ground clearance with an 18" wheel may be an issue especially if the Cali is lowered. Tyres squash rims don't.

Amorak Durban wheel is an 18" option as they are 7.5" wide. A 235/50/18 101 tyre could be used as a spare as the circumference closely matches that of a 255/45/18 Tyre plus it will fit in the spare carrier rack for a 17" wheel. Load rating is still OK but only just.

Frank Toogood · Jun 27, 2022

M88GAV said:
I’ve just collected a T6.1 Ocean with the sport pack that includes 18” wheels and doesn’t come with a spare of the carrier.
I bought a 17” steel spare from eBay and the official VW carrier from the club shop. I fitted them yesterday, with the tyre fully inflated.
The van would have come with 17” Davenports so the 17” spare will fit over the disc.
The tyre is 215x60x17. The diameter is within 3mm of the 18” tyre

Thanks M88GAV

GollyOlly · Jun 27, 2022

I have a 2017 T6 with 18" wheels. I have just fitted a 17" spare tyre beneath the van in the cavity with no problems. The diameter and radius of the spare is equal to the diameter and radius of the 18" wheels/tyres. If you need, I can get you the specs of what was fitted. The people that fitted the wheel/tyre do all the insurance repair work for VW in my area and, in my opinion, are as good or batter than VW..

GollyOlly · Jun 27, 2022

This is what I had fitted...and costs. I am running 255/45ZR18. The spare is below and fits in the spare tyre cavity of the 2017 VW California Ocean.

FIT NEW
TYRE 235/55/17 103, STEEL WHEEL 17", BRACKET S/WHEEL, SCREW,
SLEEVE, ROD, BRACKET X 2,
PARTS AS PER CURRENT RRP (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
TYRE 235/55/17 103 135.00
STEEL WHEEL 17" 106.34
BRACKET S/WHEEL 55.58
SCREW 21.39
SLEEVE 7.36
ROD 2.54
BRACKET X 2 30.60

GollyOlly · Jun 27, 2022

Sunny Yellow said:
I've looked on all the threads, but still trying to find a definitive answer.

I have a T5 Beach with optional 18" wheels and no spare, though there is a carrier beneath

A month ago I had a puncture in the side wall of my van's front tyre. The puncture repair kit was useless in this situation, so had to get the van low loaded back to a tyre shop, having first called ahead to see if they had a tyre to fit.

They did and the replacement tyre cost £180.

(If I'd used the puncture repair kit for a nail for example, the tyre shop wouldn't have fixed it with all the gunk inside and would have cost £180 for a new tyre anyway.)

Because of this I think the best way to go is to have a spare for an emergancy, get me home.

So, I have 2 questions:

1. Will a 17" steel wheel with a larger tyre depth that matches the circumference of my 18" SportLine alloy and tyre (255/45ZR18 103Y XL) fit over the break calliper. If so, what would the spec be?

2. Will it then fit in the carrier beneath if not fully inflated?

Thanks in advance,
Frank

View attachment 95251

Hi Frank, see my response below.

Frank Toogood · Jun 27, 2022

GollyOlly · Jun 27, 2022

Sunny Yellow said:

BTW...I trust the company implicitly to give good advice. Their advice was to ditch the gooey gunk as a spare "get me home" and go with a true spare tyre. Also, many roadside repair companies will walk away from filling the tyres with the gooey gunk.

andyinluton · Jun 27, 2022

GollyOlly said:
This is what I had fitted...and costs. I am running 255/45ZR18. The spare is below and fits in the spare tyre cavity of the 2017 VW California Ocean.

FIT NEW
TYRE 235/55/17 103, STEEL WHEEL 17", BRACKET S/WHEEL, SCREW,
SLEEVE, ROD, BRACKET X 2,
PARTS AS PER CURRENT RRP (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
TYRE 235/55/17 103 135.00
STEEL WHEEL 17" 106.34
BRACKET S/WHEEL 55.58
SCREW 21.39
SLEEVE 7.36
ROD 2.54
BRACKET X 2 30.60

Having fitted one of these myself - I don't know why the Bracket X2 are needed, all the brackets that the carrier fits to are already welded to the van.

GollyOlly · Jun 27, 2022

andyinluton said:
Having fitted one of these myself - I don't know why the Bracket X2 are needed, all the brackets that the carrier fits to are already welded to the van.

Don't know. Don't care. Didn't ask.

Randwick · Jul 2, 2022

Hi. I have 18 inch alloys and having had two sidewall punctures on separate occasions that entailed staying a night in a hotel while the local garage sourced a replacement tyre a dealer recommended fitting a steel spare underneath. I drove back from the south of France one year with my emergency steel wheel on without any apparent problems.

SWRocks · Mar 4, 2023

GollyOlly said:
This is what I had fitted...and costs. I am running 255/45ZR18. The spare is below and fits in the spare tyre cavity of the 2017 VW California Ocean.

FIT NEW
TYRE 235/55/17 103, STEEL WHEEL 17", BRACKET S/WHEEL, SCREW,
SLEEVE, ROD, BRACKET X 2,
PARTS AS PER CURRENT RRP (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
TYRE 235/55/17 103 135.00
STEEL WHEEL 17" 106.34
BRACKET S/WHEEL 55.58
SCREW 21.39
SLEEVE 7.36
ROD 2.54
BRACKET X 2 30.60

Can I ask where you got this from? Struggling to find a spare steel wheel rim 17” anywhere!

andyinluton · Mar 4, 2023

SWRocks said:
Can I ask where you got this from? Struggling to find a spare steel wheel rim 17” anywhere!

Theres a chap in St Neots - 2 mins off the A1 who can do a full set of parts including tyre for about £200 but he won't post.
PM me if you want contact details. Its where I got my last one from in January.

GollyOlly · Mar 4, 2023

SWRocks said:
Can I ask where you got this from? Struggling to find a spare steel wheel rim 17” anywhere!

Rackhams in Ipswich. I highly recommend them if you are near Ipswich.

GollyOlly · Mar 5, 2023

SWRocks said:
Can I ask where you got this from? Struggling to find a spare steel wheel rim 17” anywhere!

Also, I bought mine new from Rackhams. I considered buying a used rim but then decided against it because you can't see hairline fractures, etc., in the rim, and driving down the road with a loaded 3.0T vehicle I didn't want any problems. So, I went new. Rackhams advised as to the rim size and tyre size to ensure proper load rating.

Broadstone Bob · Mar 10, 2023

andyinluton said:
Theres a chap in St Neots - 2 mins off the A1 who can do a full set of parts including tyre for about £200 but he won't post.
PM me if you want contact details. Its where I got my last one from in January.

Evening Andy, bob in Kent calling. Breeze have just advised that my red 204 Cali sports pack ( with 18”) will be here end of May. I’ll need a proper spare .. would you mind giving me your St. Neots contact? I’ll have to pass on the T4 caravelle 2.5 now … been in the family for 27 years! Retirement looms and time to hit the road again .

andyinluton · Mar 10, 2023

Broadstone Bob said:
Evening Andy, bob in Kent calling. Breeze have just advised that my red 204 Cali sports pack ( with 18”) will be here end of May. I’ll need a proper spare .. would you mind giving me your St. Neots contact? I’ll have to pass on the T4 caravelle 2.5 now … been in the family for 27 years! Retirement looms and time to hit the road again .

Your van sounds perfect, the black bits in the sports pack work really well with the red, & looks even better in the flesh than the brochure.

Try Daryl - he's on info@uniquevans.co.uk

B J G · Mar 11, 2023

17" FULL SIZE STEEL SPARE WHEEL RIM FITS VOLKSWAGEN VW T5, T6, T7 (2003-2021) | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 17" FULL SIZE STEEL SPARE WHEEL RIM FITS VOLKSWAGEN VW T5, T6, T7 (2003-2021) at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

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Spare wheel – looking for a definative answer

Frank Toogood

M88GAV

PIERPO

M88GAV

SusiBus

2-pedal power Peppa Pig trike

M88GAV

M88GAV

markab

Tyre Calculator | AlloyWheels.com

B J G

Frank Toogood

GollyOlly

GollyOlly

GollyOlly

Frank Toogood

GollyOlly

andyinluton

GollyOlly

Randwick

SWRocks

andyinluton

GollyOlly

GollyOlly

Broadstone Bob

andyinluton

B J G

17" FULL SIZE STEEL SPARE WHEEL RIM FITS VOLKSWAGEN VW T5, T6, T7 (2003-2021) | eBay

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