Hymer Rear Chassis Wheels

Dorset Diver

Dorset Diver

Joined
Dec 23, 2014
Posts
2,297
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Location
South Somerset
Funster No
34,546
MH
Carthago C-Line I 50
Exp
Since 2009
I recently noticed a Hymer about 7.5m with small wheels fitted to the rear end of the chassis. These were really very neat and looked to be very effective at avoiding the rear end dragging. The chassis on my Carthago is basically the same and I would like to get a pair of these wheels. I have tried Travel World who were less than helpful. Can anybody help with the likely part number and supplier? Memo Europe do a similar thing but not as good.
 
Dorset Diver said:
I recently noticed a Hymer about 7.5m with small wheels fitted to the rear end of the chassis. These were really very neat and looked to be very effective at avoiding the rear end dragging. The chassis on my Carthago is basically the same and I would like to get a pair of these wheels. I have tried Travel World who were less than helpful. Can anybody help with the likely part number and supplier? Memo Europe do a similar thing but not as good.
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Seen those also on the rear of the Concorde motorhomes
 
Really not advisable likely to do far more damage to the chassis than without. On most Hymer's the rear of the chassis is an extension to support the garage it's not the main chassis.
If you need more clearance fit air suspension.
 
If you want something to stop it getting down to the rear cap , then better to fit skids as they are less likely to dig in than wheels which are due to location only of small diameter. this is dependent on design of course

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IF you really must have them. Then these are what are fitted to many R-V`s both UK and stateside.
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"Gold R-V" sell them at about £36 each and they are welded on.
 
I have these on my Carthago due to,the long overhang and are described as ferry wheels as when going on and off a ferry especially Greek ones they are brilliant. Had mine fitted by Camper UK at Lincoln, main Carthago dealers and if you phone the parts department they will help. Off hand they were about £135 for the pair and are not difficult to fit. They are also very useful over the speed humps in French villages as some are very high to go over. The solid nylon wheels really do help. Good luck
 
Just noticed that Road pro show them on their web site. Slightly dearer that I pad two years ago but still not ridiculous. Hope this helps.
 
With both wheels you will ground sooner as they both stick down below the chassis rail , ok if they are not below rear panel/chassis cross-member , otherwise you are making the situation worse . JMHO . Ferries will usually assist with boards if you think you are at serious risk of grounding .

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One of the issues, is that UNLIKE many, if not all US R-V`s the rear structure of European Motorhomes is not substantial enough IMV to cope with the added stresses imposed. The Rear chassis members on My R-V where far more heavy in construction than that of my current Rapido "A" class Mercedes. I would never fit them to an Alko Chassis and to so do could well invalidate any warranty?.
 
have to agree with PeteH above, to fit them on a light gauge pressed steel European chassis is asking for trouble.
American RVs are built on heavy truck or coach chassis which will be twice as thick gauge steel as a European van chassis, especially if its an extension.
 
As said. the Thickness of steel on an R-V chassis is nearer to 8mm and most are even heavier. The Winnebago was 9t rated and built on a 22000lb F40/F53 Chassis.
 
I already have the Memo Europe skid wheels fitted and have been using them for about three years without any problems of which I'm aware. They ground firmly every time I leave or return to our home and without them the back end of the van would be dragged and seriously damaged. The van is fitted with VB 4C air but the added protection is still needed. The skid wheels I noticed on the Hymer were positioned slightly further back, slightly higher, and were a little smaller. I just think they looked more suitable for my needs and would take a little pressure off the frame.
 
Dorset Diver said:
I already have the Memo Europe skid wheels fitted and have been using them for about three years without any problems of which I'm aware. They ground firmly every time I leave or return to our home and without them the back end of the van would be dragged and seriously damaged. The van is fitted with VB 4C air but the added protection is still needed. The skid wheels I noticed on the Hymer were positioned slightly further back, slightly higher, and were a little smaller. I just think they looked more suitable for my needs and would take a little pressure off the frame.
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Looking at the issue from a purely engineering perspective, placing the skid wheels further back increases the load on the frame (mass x distance) and would have to be taken into consideration. The other thing which would concern me, is the construction of the rear?. Is it a subframe extension, or part of the main chassis. If the former will the attachment fastenings over time become overstressed?. I can see the dilemma, Protect the vehicle rear end and risk damage to the chassis (maybe) or accept that the vehicle will inevitably suffer a possibly more cosmetic issue with the bodywork?. Not a choice I would wish to make.

One thought which does occur, "They ground firmly every time I leave or return to our home and without them the back end of the van would be dragged and seriously damaged." Can this be alleviated with extension ramps to access the driveway as an alternative.

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I agree with comments that suggest that fitting the wheels in some cases just makes the grounding more frequent BUT If the wheels are required I would have thought that fitting them to the chassis extension that is designed for a tow would be OK.

I trust that they are just taking a bit of weight rather than lifting the rear wheels clear of the ground, what you do have to be careful with though is that any loading is vertical without sideways loading from skidding it around corners.
Martin
 
Dorset Diver said:
Re your second para PeteH. Not possible I'm afraid.
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Well what can`t be, can`t be. I lived in Yeovil for over 18 years, at the top of Lyde Road, before retiring, and can imagine how difficult some of the access can be due to terrain.

Many years back I saw a Motorhome which had the Spare wheel under the very rear. The fascinating thing was, to access it the owner Unlocked and lifted the WHOLE rear "Bumper/Skirt"!! and it came out that way. Shame that some way of lifting the "grounding" Part temporarily clear, cannot be found?. Whilst it might not work in this particular case if the chassis is already grounding, it could be all some M-H`s need?
 

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