I will submit a contrasting opinion.  I mean, what is wrong with a standard Vanagon 14" steel wheel and tire put up into clamshell?  It's a spare....just to get you to next town.  OK, I might understand it if you guys are using big burly tires where the difference in rubber OD causes a problem when getting to the next nearest tire shop.  For the many others of us, say using GoWesty 16" alloys and tires which nearly match the original OD and on a 2WD, this is not an issue.
Meanwhile, the trouble and expense of mounting a rear tire carrier?  Or some contraption to accommodate big tires in clamshell?  After all, rotating 4 tires is surely easier than trying to figure out the logistics of rotating 5 tires.
What am I missing here?

    On Thursday, April 1, 2021, 2:06:11 PM PDT, Bruce Todd <beeceetee@gmail.com> wrote:  
 
 I have given up on the clam shell and think it would be a good spot to pack
tarps or other things.  I use a tire holder in its place - no cramming or
jamming required.

Thanks for the input.

BT

On Thursday, April 1, 2021, vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@cox.net> wrote:

> That tire size and rim should be fine on a Syncro, other than squeezing it
> into the stock spare tire area. That could be a chore to make happen.
>
> On a 2wd that combo will usually rub up front on the edge of the upper
> control arm.
> Depending how badly, you can remove some metal from the lip/edge of the
> upper control arm to make some room or use spacers along with long enough
> front lugs/studs. I'm not a fan of spacers so I grind off the lip/edge as
> needed.
>
> I put some black spray paint over the bare metal where I grind some away
> and then check for that paint to be rubbed off to let me know if it still
> rubs after some driving. New tires may seem to clear for a while but the
> shape of the tire can change over time and rubbing can result.
>
> There is considerable variation in the dimensions of tires of different
> brands and models even with the same supposed size.
>
> Mark
>
>
> Bruce Todd wrote:
>
>> 215/65/16 - 7” rim width.
>>
>> On Thursday, April 1, 2021, vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@cox.net
>> <mailto:madvws@cox.net>> wrote:
>>
>>    The width of the 16" rim as well as the size of the tire are
>>    important factors.
>>
>>    ET38 is at the hairy edge of what can work without spacers.
>>    What size tire did you have in mind?
>>
>>    Mark
>>
>>    Bruce Todd wrote:
>>
>>        I checked into buying Ultra wheels (the Alpines) in Canada and
>>        found they
>>        were about $255/ rim (CDN) not including tax.  I've been
>>        searching for
>>        alternatives online as I would like to spend a bit less.
>> Although I
>>        considered 17" rims, I've pretty much decided to go with a 16x7
>>        so that I
>>        can look at moderately aggressive all terrain tires - the
>>        Rotiiva is in the
>>        group of comparables which all hover around 27" full tire
>>        diameter.  Most
>>        of the rims that seem applicable in terms of load rating and
>>        bolt pattern
>>        are around a 38 to 45 ET.  According to the literature out there
>>        - the
>>        ideal ET is 30 to 35 - so I am wondering if 38mm is cutting it a
>>        little
>>        close especially for the fronts?
>>
>>        There is a pretty good wheel site called Canada Wheels that
>>        allows you to
>>        search wheels with multiple filters.  RWC, Vision, and ION
>>        wheels all have
>>        wheels that look to work - the ION 103 in particular looks nice
>>        to me but
>>        is not in stock anywhere.
>>
>>        Bruce
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>