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MG TD TF 1500 - Wooden luggage rack support advice


I'm having a luggage rack made along the lines of the one in the link shown below.

http://www.gblandco.com/gb/rack/rack.html

I converted my TF to wire wheels, and so the spare wheel is also wire. The friend who is building this rack for me, brought over a prototype to see if he had the dimensions correct, but our discussion soon turned to how should this wooden rack be attached to the spare wire wheel. The wooden rack shown in the link above was attached to a steel rim wheel and the attachment solution was fairly straight forward it seems. My apologies to the creator of this rack, if that was not the case. Although numerous solutions were discussed by the rack maker and myself, each seemed to present question of how effective each would be.

I may be missing something here and there may be a means to secure this rack to the tire that I just can't see, that will carry the load (most likely no more than a single average size suitcase), resist vibration and the like. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I hope to have this rack finished and attached in time for my trip from Olympia WA to attend the Glenwood Springs rallye in Colorado, joining up with LaVerne, Ed Haskel and other like-minded folks.

TIA -- John

John Brickell

I don't really have a clue but I wonder how the adapter for the spare wheel hub is attached to the spare tire carrier and whether there may be an option to insert a plate there with long studs coming through (between?) the spokes to attach the luggage rack? It might also be possible (necessary?) to remove the spinner so that the rack can be closer to the tire. Maybe a plate could be held on by the spinner but I don't see how one would prevent rotation if the rack were top-heavy.

Just musing before heading out for a 30 mile spin in 85+ F southern weather.

Jud
J K Chapin

Thanks for your input Jud and trust your ride today was delightful. The part of the rack frame that will rest against the tire will be thick enough to allow for clearance of the spanner. We'll would use felt on the side of the wood that will rest against rubber of the tire.

I was thinking of straps through the spokes and then around the rack and tire, doing so in several places. However, is securing to the spokes a good idea? Strength, rubbing, and the like? Concerns doing this?

Again, input would be greatly appreciated -- John
John Brickell

A few years ago Larry Leclerc in Fargo had some of these made up. He may still have them. I can check if anyone wants to know..
Tom Maine

Yes Tom, I would interested in knowing what Larry has or what suggestions he may have to offer.

Thanks -- John
John Brickell

John - A number of years ago, Ben Prince in our local register made something like that using 3/4" PVC pipe. It had a piece that went over the spare wheel and hooked behind it. I don't know how it would be adapted to a spare sire wheel (or for that matter how the wood version will do that also). I believe that I still have pictures and dimensions for the PVC rack somewhere.
Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Dave, any such photos would be appreciated. Regardless, that's an interesting idea that Ben thought up and then produced. It must be our clean, clear Northwest air, right Dave?

John
John Brickell

Here's the PVC rack. It was simple to make, and quite inexpensive. I probably have Ben's dimensions somewhere in my archives. Bud

Bud Krueger

Thanks Bud -- That's gives me some ideas on how to proceed. I could build a frame that attaches to the back of the TF and then attach the wooden rack to the frame. I'll work on that. Whatever I end up with I will post.

John
John Brickell

John,
It's a mysery to me how your spare is attached,,, I guess you don't have the factory mount that has tubes that attached to the strap mounting points above the gas tank? Or the cross member that the Marker Plate attaches to ??
SPW
STEVE WINCZE

I found some that are like yours,,, I guess I just wasn't familiar with the TF's

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

The PVC one hooks over the spare tire (a somewhat snug fit). The bottom is then secured by bunji cords. Bud
Bud Krueger

Thanks Bud, and that makes sense -- John
John Brickell

After looking more carefully over the photo that Bud attached in his previous message, I can now see that this pvc set fits over the spare tire, not attached to the back of the TF as I first thought.

I have now decided on replicating that design to fit to my TF's spare wheel. I haven't decided on how to attach it at the bottom, as I'm not sure I want to use bungee cords. I would like to have it bolted in some way to the rear splash apron. More to come on that one.

Thanks to all for your input. I now have my solution.

John
John Brickell

Go to the www.Princessauto.com web site and search for 300 lb Truck Tire Service Step
SKU: 8268617
Very simple solution and easy to remove.
Norm Peacey

Talked to Larry L and he indicates his brackets for the wooden carrier were for a TD. The angle is different for a TF. His rack looks similar to what is being shown.
Tom Maine

I decided to post some early shots of the pvc piece that I made based on the photos Bud supplied. Yes, the spare tire mount for the TF is different enough from the TD that I had to make some modifications. Remember that Ben Prince's original was a pvc "luggage rack" itself. Like the one of Bud's in his photos. Mine is to be a support system for a wooden luggage rack that will be attached to it. More to come when the project is completed.

John

John Brickell

Another view

John Brickell

And another

John Brickell

Looks good but remember, PVC pipe gets brittle after prolonged exposure to sunlight - hopefully a good coating of paint will prevent/retard that.

Jud
J K Chapin

I constructed mine in 2003. Painted it with Moss engine paint (matches Autumn Red fairly well). Still going strong. But it's rarely used. John, your design is right on. Good job. Bud
Bud Krueger

John,
Do the lower ends just rest on the rear apron??


17 DAYS TILL BTITISH BY THE SEA !!!!
SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Steve -- Yes, at this point they do. I'm thinking of ways to secure them to the apron, that will also allow for easy removal. As an interim measure I may use the bunggie suggestion to hold them down tightly to the apron, and will have some kind of padding at the bottom of the posts to keep from scratching the apron.

John
John Brickell

This thread was discussed between 07/05/2014 and 15/05/2014

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