Where do you store the spare tire?

Cyclonic

@jkjenn, Yes, I use ratcheting straps to get it nice and tight.

@gulfarea , like the mount, may eventually invest in that, or build something similar.

mikesnewjourney

We have just bought our new used 2006 Model T1 and have had the same problem with the spare tire.  I ordered a spare tire carrier from etrailer for 16 dollars plus shipping.  I hope this will work, I will post pictures and weight differences on tongue.  We have a Tacoma so I am in hopes that the tongue weight will not be a problem?  Thank you 

DurangoTaB

Echoing Verna....I recently went through the hassle of measuring our tongue weight...it was 200#, so it'd be nice to put that weight back (so WE could install 2 6V batteries up front!)

Verna

DurangoTaB said:

Echoing Verna....I recently went through the hassle of measuring our tongue weight...it was 200#, so it'd be nice to put that weight back (so WE could install 2 6V batteries up front!)

@DurangoTaB, OK, I bit the bullet last week and had Austin install the Yakima rack with basket on the rear of my T@B for my spare. It actually looks rather good, even if it does cover up my "Indiana Hoosiers" decal . I need to wash the spare, and the T@B after traveling almost 1700 miles in two weeks--whew!  I have two tire covers on order. A waving American flag and an IU (duh, of course!).  With the covers having a white background, I think it will look nice. 

I was told by either Austin or Marvin that the T@B will handle a bit different because the weight of the spare is higher than it was under the rear end. I filled the water tank before leaving üCamp17, with the thought that I could easily dump some fresh water if needed for the handling difference, but I actually got almost 15 mpg driving home with the water tank full without noticing any difference in handling. I'll empty half of the water for my next trip to see if I continue to get better gas mileage. It's worth experimenting!

SilverEagleJC

I store my Tab spare in the rear of my TV.  I made a simple wood box to hold it in an upright position which is also strapped down with the tire to the cargo hooks in the back floor of the TV.   I have an Outback with the cargo rack, but if I was ever in a situation where I had to change to tire without any help, I would not be able to safely remove the spare from the cargo rack due to the height of the rack and my bad back.  If needed, I will be able to get the spare out of the back of the TV.  I use the Outback cargo rack to carry other camping gear.

sqrpeg

For those of you that have the Outback (now Boondock) Edition – if you didn’t want to carry the spare tire on the Yakima rack, do you still have the option to mount it underneath the trailer or has that mounting point been removed on the Outbacks?

EDIT: Oops - forgot to add: new forum member, not-yet owner, first post but have been lurking for weeks now.  I appreciate all of the generous and expert advice – what a great community!

ScottG

I don't know the specific answer, but the critical thing would be to have the two bolts to which the spare tire mounting bracket attaches.

The bracket could likely be purchased separately (or even fabricated), but the bolts appear to have been installed during construction, as their heads are buried up inside the trailer body and are not accessible.

easttntab

I have an additional storage bin behind the jack. I'm storing  my spare in the bed of my truck. I have a hard side tonneau cover and keep the tail gate locked.

donmontalvo

Mr_Mrs_Gnome said:

GlennBeck, I don't see a Jack-E-Up, so take it you don't lower your tailgate when hitched. Trying to figure out a tire mount "up-front" that won't interfere with the tailgate.

I ordered a Jack-Me-Up since my Jeep tailgate cant open with the camper spare mounted on the camper tongue.

Aviatrix

vito said:

Picked up my new T@b today, and was surprised at one of the dealer's recommendations. He said that the spare tire, which is inside the camper, has a mounting place underneath the camper. But he recommended against putting it on the mount, saying it could easily hit the ground or otherwise get torn off or damaged and that I was better off leaving it inside as it came from the factory. The T@b storage room is limited enough  that I hate to give up that space, but I also would not want to lose my spare tire. What do you T@b owners do? 

The dealership installed mine on the tongue for about $200 + tax. They said the under-vehicle tire mount can't be removed, though.

donmontalvo

Aviatrix said:

vito said:

Picked up my new T@b today, and was surprised at one of the dealer's recommendations. He said that the spare tire, which is inside the camper, has a mounting place underneath the camper. But he recommended against putting it on the mount, saying it could easily hit the ground or otherwise get torn off or damaged and that I was better off leaving it inside as it came from the factory. The T@b storage room is limited enough  that I hate to give up that space, but I also would not want to lose my spare tire. What do you T@b owners do? 

The dealership installed mine on the tongue for about $200 + tax. They said the under-vehicle tire mount can't be removed, though.

nuCamp used to put the spare wheel on the included Yamaha roof rack and cargo carrier. Apparently it is an awkward place for some people to have it if they get a flat. Nope. I prefer it there. Out of the way, and doesn’t interfere with tight turns. Shopping for a cool tire cover. 

AnOldUR

Aviatrix said:The dealership installed mine on the tongue for about $200 + tax. They said the under-vehicle tire mount can't be removed, though.

Are you talking about the older T@B's that had the spare under the back end of the trailer or the newer one's with it under the tongue?

edit to add that if you're talking about the 2020 era mount that was under the back, it was easily removable. I removed mine and used it as part of a roof rack tire mount.

Citruscountytab400

Your dealer is correct.  I keep mine in a black bag on blocks under my tab when I am at location, then on the bed for traveling.  

elbolillo

The spare tire on my '23 Tab 400 fits nicely under the tongue. 25,000+ miles on this Tab and 20,000+ on our previous '21 Tab 320, which also had the spare mounted under the tongue and never had an issue with where it is installed.

SLJ

Moved ours from underneath to the front of the tub. Got the mount from Harbor Freight.

Cherokee

All I have to do is keep the bolts tight on my 2019 Boondock

Aviatrix

AnOldUR said:

Aviatrix said:The dealership installed mine on the tongue for about $200 + tax. They said the under-vehicle tire mount can't be removed, though.

Are you talking about the older T@B's that had the spare under the back end of the trailer or the newer one's with it under the tongue?

edit to add that if you're talking about the 2020 era mount that was under the back, it was easily removable. I removed mine and used it as part of a roof rack tire mount.

Yes; interesting, I'll have to have to follow up with the dealership. Thanks for the information!

Cherokee

donmontalvo said:

Mr_Mrs_Gnome said:

GlennBeck, I don't see a Jack-E-Up, so take it you don't lower your tailgate when hitched. Trying to figure out a tire mount "up-front" that won't interfere with the tailgate.

I ordered a Jack-Me-Up since my Jeep tailgate cant open with the camper spare mounted on the camper tongue.

Don - when I pulled my T@B with an XJ that has an aftermarket rear mounted spare, I used an 18" hitch extension without relocating the tongue mounted trailer spare. However, the Jack-e-up will allow you to take full advantage of your Boondock's ground clearance with only a little aggravation each time you set up!