Swing rear bumper & Shower system

[kanya3]

Hi Guys. I am trying to get some upgrades for my 120 for a long driving trip in Africa later this year. In my previous trips, I have carried an extra spare tyre secured on the roof.
This time around we are getting a roof tent so have to find space for the tyre elsewhere. I am getting a fridge and some storage space organised for cooking etc in the rear boot space.
One option is to get a rear tyre bumper with a swing. Was thinking of getting a double swing one for the jerry cans & other for the tyre.

I can't seem to find these sort of swing bumpers online. There are lots of videos with vehicles having them perhaps all locally designed.

The overland specialist that is doing the work has suggested an Acayx swing bumper. It's quite expensive anyway but there doesn't seem to be pic/video of it online.
I have asked the garage to source pics from the company just to check out how it looks.

Is any member using a rear swing bumper and where did they source it from? Any downsides to having it?

Another query, has anyone tried the Glind hot shower system? It looks reasonable but would like to hear from someone who has used it before and what they though about it.

Thanks

 

[Howmanygoes]

Where are you based?

 

[kanya3]

London.

 

[Howmanygoes]

Fabryka4x4 do a relatively cheap rear bumper. Could search ARB, Gobi or even some of the US fabrication firms. Can't help with the shower you mention but iam quite impressed by my eccotemp tankless gas shower.

 

[GeekOKent]

Dara at tufftrek has gobi_x and a few other brands. Also, West coast will likely source iron Man for you

 

[kanya3]

Thanks Howmanygoes. I had checked ARB they don't seem to have any rear bumpers. called Tuff Trek for Gobi X, they also don't seem to have any and not sure when they will get them.

 

[kanya3]

Thanks GOK. Called them today, didn't seem to have any at present or in near future.

 

[Tractionman]

Kanya, you may have already asked him, but as your lc is going to Paul at West Coast could he help, either with sourcing one or fabbing one ?
I know one offs don't come cheap, but but neither do 'named' manufacturer ones.

 

[kanya3]

Thanks Tractionman. He is on the case and has suggested we use an Acayx one. The issue is they don’t have it on their website & I want to have a look first so he has requested some photos from the company. Not to mention, it’s eye wateringly expensive

 

[GeekOKent]

I guess you already have a spare on the back door ? And the under slung one is not viable?

 

[kanya3]

We do have spare underneath but the other one we used to keep on the roof. Don’t want the tyre carrier bolted to the rear door, I think it will be bit of hassle with rear door being in regular use due to Fridge/kitchen access.

 

[GeekOKent]

Majority of 120s sold worldwide are sold with the spare on the back door. If you can find one, try it. You may save yourself £2000 and more importantly, a lot of weight and grief.

Besides, the swing away mount is going to add more hassle, and still needs to be moved around.

 

[kanya3]

Thanks GOK. We have decided to go for the Acayx rear bumper. I don’t like the look of tyre bolted on the rear door and some people have mentioned that in rough terrain the fixings don’t remain waterproof.

 

[Lorin]

We do have spare underneath but the other one we used to keep on the roof. Don’t want the tyre carrier bolted to the rear door, I think it will be bit of hassle with rear door being in regular use due to Fridge/kitchen access.

I’m curious, given you’ve travelled with two spares before, how often have you actually needed the second spare in a situation where you couldn’t have solved it another way? I’d personally save the money on the rear bumper and put it towards travelling. One spare with a basic tyre repair kit is more than enough in 99.9% of situations. A rear bumper will add weight, impact fuel consumption and wear on the vehicle, and in my mind brings no practical benefit for significant cost.

 

[GeekOKent]

Could always just carry the 2nd spare as a tyre body only, strap it to the bonnet. Carry some tyre irons and I guess there is already a compressor in the car.

 

[kanya3]

Thanks Lorin. We have never used a spare. Our LC has travelled 50K miles on long trips including 25K to India and didn't have any issues but....and a big one, if we did need it in the middle of no where on a remote road in Africa then it can cause quiet a bit of hassle and delay. I agree it will add up weight but it's just about planning for the worst case scenario in an area where options might be limited. I do feel lot of prep in Overlanding is just for those unlikely scenarios.

I’m curious, given you’ve travelled with two spares before, how often have you actually needed the second spare in a situation where you couldn’t have solved it another way? I’d personally save the money on the rear bumper and put it towards travelling. One spare with a basic tyre repair kit is more than enough in 99.9% of situations. A rear bumper will add weight, impact fuel consumption and wear on the vehicle, and in my mind brings no practical benefit for significant cost.

 

[kanya3]

This is what we are going to get...

 

[GeekOKent]

Are you also thinking of changing the alloys for steel?

 

[kanya3]

GOK we don't have air suspension on this model.

Could always just carry the 2nd spare as a tyre body only, strap it to the bonnet. Carry some tyre irons and I guess there is already a compressor in the car.

 

[Shayne]

Who makes that bumper ?

I been designing almost identical in my head for the 80 !

Ah should have read the whole thread but i've never given a shower much thought

Acayx looks good