Looking at the way the engine cover luggage rack is fitted it looks like it transfers quite a lot of mechanical stress into the structure, but I'm sure Porsche knew what they were doing. However I want to fit one to a plastic imitation (Apal) - do we think the plastic engine cover will take the stress?
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Majority of the luggage racks mount to the rain shield below the rear engine vent grille. You can reinforce the mounting to the fiberglass with large stainless steel fender washers - or even additional fiberglass cloth and resin. I'd limit loads to say 30# or so. Most just use it for an empty vintage suit case.
I was hoping to use it to carry the spare wheel on long journeys across Europe (if they let us in...) so I can get more luggage in the car. A vintage suitcase isn't much use if it rains!
A spare tire and wheel might be pushing it. These days, flat tires are rare. Do you really think you need one? That's what we have AAA insurance in the USA for. I'm sure there is something comparable in Europe.
Depends on where you live. My son got a nail in his tyre (tire) about 200m from here last week. Rural roads are quite a problem here in Oxfordshire UK, potholes tend to destroy tyres and rims, so a can of foam (which is all I have in my Audi TT) isn't going to rescue me. I must admit I've done several European road trips in recent years and had no problems, but most of Europe has much better roads than the UK. I'll have to weigh my spare when I get the car.
Sally and I spent 3 months in Spain last winter and we drove rental cars all over that country. We were amazed at how nice the highways were compared to at lot of areas in California. The signage was also great, there no highway patrol and we loved the round-abouts! They do have some sort of agency that responds to traffic accidents and emergencies, but we only came across them twice in the thousands of miles we drove. Another thing we noticed was that, for the most part, other drivers were very considerate.
We loved the place!
Indeed, we drove from Santader, via the Rioja over the pyrenees, north through France stopping at St Emillion, and then Paris, in the Boxter - great journey. We drove from UK to Champagne, down the Rhone to Arles then to the Gorges du Tarn for a week, back north via the Millau bridge, Chenonceaux, and then home. That was in the TT. We are retiring soon, and are thinking of taking the Speedster across Europe when it's fully sorted, though our currency may collapse at the end of this year, so Europe may work out too expensive. Ireland last year was much more expensive than we expected, but they earn on average 30% more than we do, so everything being 30% more expensive isn't a big surprise.
All fantasies at the moment...
I'm very surprised to hear that you have potholes in the UK. I thought that's what 3 day old Yorkshire Pudding was for. .....3.....2....1...
In Oxfordshire, there is very little Yorkshire pudding (we're too posh - though I'm from Yorkshire!), but you'd need a full sized Sunday Roast to fill some around here. County with a lot of rural roads and a small population, so no money to maintain roads.
Running a car on 18" wheels and 40 profile tyres is worrying around here, though my Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres have done well. I usually lose one tyre a year, maybe two, and the occasional alloy wheel too. Steel wheels and 60 section tyres are quite appealing.
On my IM there is a forged or cast bracket on the bottom of the grill that is permanently attached securely to the bottom which then allows you to add bolts and your rack on top of the grill. I have never used it personally but it is an option for a suitcase but I am not sure a full spare could be carried. I guess is you found an allow aluminum emergency wheel it might fit, or you could work the trunk area fiberglass to make it bigger by taking up all the room left between and in front of the beam.
One might consider the Continental kit
We've done some touring in our Speedster in the states, and have driven (rental cars) through a lot of rural UK, and in Europe, too. On our last trip, we drove from Southampton to Malvern (to visit the Morgan factory), then to Oxford, then down to the coast west of Weymouth, and back to Gatwick.
I found UK rural roads generally better maintained, if narrower, than similar roads here in California.
We carry a spare in the Speedster, but in seven years have never had to use it. It's a narrow 135/65 tire on a 4.5" rim that just fits. We don't use a luggage rack.
For us, the key is a full tonneau cover. Fully deployed, it will hide your luggage while the car is parked. Half deployed, it covers your luggage while driving, and being soft can accommodate taller bags. We find we can get two large backpacks or duffel bags behind the seats plus a third smaller bag and some loose sweaters and jackets, with a spare pair of shoes or two on the rear floor. This is enough for a few weeks of travel if you pack smart.
The spare and some tools live in the boot.
I guess it helps that we did a lot of bicycle touring through Europe for many years so got used to packing light, but it can be done.
One thing bicycle touring taught us was not to travel in the rain. Caught in the rain, we'd just hole up where we were for a day or two until better weather returned. This is probably good advice for Speedster touring, too!
Cheers!
When Nancy and i travel we pack a lot of stuff into out car. Not as much as El Guapo (Musbjim) but we do get a lot. Or should I say, "Nancy gets a lot in the car."? I use one or two hangers and I put all of the shirts I'm taking on to those hangers. I put any pants I'm taking on to another hanger and all of that goes in a garment bag. Nancy does the same thing. The two garment bags go in the frunk or boot if you prefer. Then, as Mitch said, there's room on the package shelf for a couple of duffle bags for everything else Nancy takes. I limit myself to only one or two pair of PF Flyers or similar soft shoe.
Since we got the Speedster Nancy has gotten better in learning to pack light so that's been helping. She likes choices so she takes choices.
When airlines allowed 2 pieces of luggage per traveler, Jeanie filled both hers and one of mine, along with an entire carry-on. I used to use about 4 things out of my suitcase, and bring home clothes that smelled like an airplane hold (I liked the smell, and just put them away).
With the rise of the discount airlines, we're allowed a "personal item" on domestic flights, and a personal item and carry-on for international travel. We've spent 3-1/2 weeks touring around both France and Italy with this minimal luggage.
You know what? Sometimes less is more.
We have made international trips using an 18" x 14" x 8" bag.
