As long as you have these 'wire-like bar things' up in there, that squeeze
on the tire, you'll be fine.  
Look at the hinge points for the thing the tire sits on, the hinge pins, as
long as they're not bolts that someone put in or something silly like
that....the 'hinge pins' continue on up to these wire-like bars, which hold
the tire down. 
  It's sized to take a stock size tire, or a little larger.  If your tire is
way too big, the spare can even rub on the steering shaft going back to the
steering rack, causing very heavy steering.  So check that clearance if your
spare is bigger than stock size. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Allan Streib
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:13 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: securing the spare tire?

Is the spare tire secured in any way?  Or does it just sit in the
tray under the front?

I had no spare in my '91 Vanagon, and I now have a spare wheel but am
not sure if it is supposed to be strapped down or secured in some way.

Thanks,

Allan