Hi Guys,

In case you're not aware, Van-Cafe sells a carrier for this purpose.
http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagonparts.jsp?pa=ip&ip=764380099

I have an oxy-acetylene torch and made my own about 7 years ago using about
$20 worth of materials - 1/2" steel rod bent to shape, steel plumbing
C-clamp cut in half for the hinges, and a scrap of 1/4" plate to engage the
nylon catch on the front. The one Van-Cafe (Volks-Cafe at the time) came out
with several years ago is essentially identical. If the Van-cafe model was
available at the time, I'd have probably spent the extra $70 rather than
spending a day fiddling with getting the bend angles and lengths just right.

I keep a 217/75R15 tire up front - it fits between the frame rails with no
need for trimming them - there's probably 1/4" to spare on each side. I do
store the tire deflated because the steering shaft rubs otherwise, but
Keith's idea of sheathing the steering shaft sounds like it's worth trying!

Doug Fitz-Randolph
Freeport, ME