[homemade spare wheel carrier anyone made one?]

It uses a ratchet strap to pull the two (telescopic) halves of the top bar together. As it's drawn, the last part of this motion engages the carrier with the knuckle attached to the door. On looking at it again, it might be better if you raise the carrier above the knuckle, then lower the pin into the knuckle bush - so the knuckle is partially responsible for keeping up that end should the ratchet strap fail.

This should make lifting a 100kg wheel rather easy! It's also easy to build! Why have I not built it? I have a drop down tail gate!

I like LR Farmers idea above of using Track Rod End ball joints. They might just have enough offset for my idea.

Si

Looking at LR farmers wheel carrier, It should be possible to use the hi-lift, when attached to simonr's wheel carrier, to use it to lift the carrier thus removing the need of the ratchet strap..

grts

Patrick