if there's much weight involved,
and using the PVC tube method ..
a metal tube is a lot safer.

time for a swing-away tire rack. A well-disigned one opens in a second.
    One version I know of takes two hands, one to life the tire a bit ,
the other to release the catch ..and reaching across each arm with the
other  is the only handy way to do both of these movements at the same
time, and they have to be done simultaneously. This is why good
companies test their products extensively and carefully before marketing
them ..including customer feed back.

It's real nice to be able to get at the engine quickly and easily.
...like ah ..'did I leave any tools in there ? ....did I remember to
tighten that one thing really well? '   etc.

On 11/21/2012 10:13 AM, Craig Cowan wrote:
> Be careful doing this. My rear hatch for instance with gas can and spare weights in around 300lbs. Anything breaking loose and the hatch falling could literally kill me.
>
> I now take the spare off anytime I need to open the tailgate. Inconvenient, but so is being chopped in half.
>
> -craig
>
>
> On Nov 21, 2012, at 12:47 PM, Geneva Saint-Amour <genevasaintamour@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
>> A small diameter piece of PVC pipe can be slipped over the strut.  When the door is lifted, the PVC slips into place to support the door (regardless of the weight on it) When you are ready to close the hatch you simply move the PVC to align with the larger part of the strut and the door closes.  Need photos? Email me.