Vans that came with the optional 14 inch alloy wheels have a spare tire
carrier with a little more drop toit, which you can see at the tab where
the hold-up bolt goes.
Lowering the rear hinge pins works too.

I like the spare under the front.  Helps with crash worthiness and
weight distribution a little.  Nicely outof the way.  I sure do carry a
tarp to put down to lay on to get the tire outif it's wet,snowey, etc.

On 9/11/2013 7:33 PM, JRodgers wrote:
> The spare location on Vanagons is totally miserable. If you are caught
> in the rain, on a muddy road, or in a snow storm or even snowy wet roads
> - it's misery to get that tire out from under there.  No good solution
> unless  you get one of those spare tire racks that mount to the rear of
> the van in front of the hatch.
>
> John
>
> On 9/11/2013 5:21 PM, J Stewart wrote:
>> How big is the spare? Mine would not fit either, its a 195 14 size
>> tire on a 14" VW alloy. I was able to modify the stock carrier so it
>> fit. I removed the stock carrier and bars. Took my angle grinder and
>> trimmed off the area straight across the back of the carrier right at
>> the hinges. I used two U shaped hanger to drop it down about an inch
>> and a half and the spare fits perfectly. Got tired of running around
>> town with no spare and throwing it up on the roof for long trips.
>> Jeff Jeff Stewart ----- Original Message -----
>>> Spare in front of radiator not a good idea. You will need the fan full
>>> tome for cooling. Unless you have a Syncro just get a smaller spare
>>> that fits.
>>> Dennis,
>>>  From my phone.
>>> ________________________________
>>> From: Pat Patterson<mailto:SESRating@AOL.COM>
>>> Sent: ‎9/‎11/‎2013 12:34 AM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>>> Subject: looking for a front reciever
>>> Where can I find a front receiver for my vanagon. I put up to 4 bikes
>>> on
>>> the back (5 once) and tow a trailer sometimes. My spare is too big to
>>> fit
>>> under and I would like to mount it on the front to keep some weight on
>>> the
>>> front wheels in case I lose some weight on my diet. I seen a couple
>>> photos
>>> and would like to keep my front bumper to reduce costs but am not
>>> ruling
>>> out a new front bumper with a 2 inch reciever.
>>> Pat
>>> In SC just south of Charlotte NC
>>
>