Rear Tire Carrier?

[ventureforth]

I'm wanting to add a 2nd fuel tank to my '82 Rabbit Diesel, and I want to put it in the spare tire well.  However, I also don't want to be without my spare as I seem to be a magnet for flat-tire causing debris, and I don't want to switch over to run-flats until my current tires wear out, which will be a while.  I've seen a rear tire carrier on the Golf Country, but I don't expect to have any luck finding one of those.

Are there any excellent fit options?  Anything that was actually designed for the MK1 that I am for some reason unable to locate?

Also, the other factor I'm curious about is how it might effect driving dynamics.  Any reason to think a 13" tire hanging off the  back will have any significant impact on driving characteristics?

Thanks.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

Could go "Safari Style" and mount one on the hood - or roof.

How about in the storage area behind rear seat (above spare tire well) hidden under the canopy/valance ?

[rabbitman]

Yeah one of those tanks would be really nice....... 900-1000 mile range

It would look the best on the front bumper......but then it would mess up airflow to the radiator. In the rear it would cover the license plate, the roof would be very un-aerodynamic and the hood would mess up vision.

FIX A FLAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mystery3]

How much clearance do you have out back? Perhaps you could use one from a caddy? I have no idea what the spare tire holder looks like on the country.
 
I pulled a tank out of a rabbit in the junkyard that was rectangular and fit just beneath the rear windscreen when the tailgate was closed, it's probably good for around 8 gallons or so. I might mount it behind the cab on the caddy down the road sometime.

[DCC]

I red somewhere that the Audi TT fuel tank is an interesting option. It mounts under the rear seats, and it isn't too bulky, perhaps with some adaptation it would turn out great.

[745 turbogreasel]

http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?route=product/category&path=39&page=4

Start here?

[Rabbit on Roids]

build a spare tire holder that bolts or clamps to the bed rail..

like the older broncos, and blazers/jimmys... they had them inside the rig, mounted in the back, standing upright.

[tSoG-84bit]

do you really think it'd be that detrimental to airflow over the radiator having one stick out from the front bumper?

I'll have to add one to the hood or front bumper. won't be anywhere else to put one in operation broken crayon.

[rabbitman]

do you really think it'd be that detrimental to airflow over the radiator having one stick out from the front bumper?

I'll have to add one to the hood or front bumper. won't be anywhere else to put one in operation broken crayon.

These thing make some serious heat on long hills!!! Maybe the fan would just come on more often and make up for it.

[VWCaddy]

How about a hitch receiver mounted tire carrier?

http://www.yotatech.com/f116/home-made-cbi-spare-carrier-166066/

[Rabbit on Roids]

for some reason i thought you were working with a caddy..

[theman53]

I have an old bronco with the tire carrier on it...15.00 plus shipping if you want it.
It is the in cab style not the one that was on the back gate.

[ventureforth]

Sorry.  Should have been more clear.  My Rabbit is a 2-door.  I don't think the "in-bed" Jimmy style thing would work unless I always kept the back seat down (or took it out).  That might not be out of the question, though, as it really only becomes a 3-seater when I'm driving (I'm 6'4") and even then the back seat is only good for a tiny, tiny person and impossible to get in and out of.  Maybe I'll just remove the back seat and make it a flat cargo floor...put some metal plating or something back there a la those concept Baja New Beetles I saw years ago.

[Rabbit on Roids]

Sorry.  Should have been more clear.  My Rabbit is a 2-door.  I don't think the "in-bed" Jimmy style thing would work unless I always kept the back seat down (or took it out).  That might not be out of the question, though, as it really only becomes a 3-seater when I'm driving (I'm 6'4") and even then the back seat is only good for a tiny, tiny person and impossible to get in and out of.  Maybe I'll just remove the back seat and make it a flat cargo floor...put some metal plating or something back there a la those concept Baja New Beetles I saw years ago.

my rabbits are only 3 seaters too, my tools ride on the seat behind me. and my seat is always all the way back, pretty much in the back seat..

gotta move it far back to be comfy in a VW when your 6'7".. haha

[ventureforth]

That said, I'm impressed how comfy I am in such a tiny car.  I was in a friend's XTerra the other day in the front passenger seat and it was not nearly as roomy.