Mounting the Tire to the Tongue?

Nomad

I want to mount the tire to the tongue/frame - have seen pictures where people have done it - but am having trouble finding a mount that will fit. The ones I've found so far fit (up to) a 4" frame but my T@B is 4.5".

Can anyone that's done it tell me where they got the bracket?

TIA

RZRBUG

This is the one I used.  There are probably others out there.

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Cargo-Control/Fulton/FHDSTC0101.html

Nomad

Thanks RzrBug - I found that utility/cargo/livestock trailer dealers don't stock anything for this. Marine/boat dealers do but all the local ones were out of stock. Heading to MN tomorrow where there's a boat dealer on every corner so I should be able to score one this weekend.  

T@Balong

Larry,

Did the mount you posted the link to have everything one needs?   Are there any modifications that need to be made or is it a fairly simple switch?

RZRBUG

I seem to recall having to add a washer or two because the bolts supplied were a bit long.  I think someone else who used this mount said theirs came with two different lengths of bolts, but mine did not.  If I had ready access to shorter ones, I would have used them.  I think the mount was designed for trailers with wider/thicker rails.  Not really a big deal since the bolts extend inside the tongue.  I was able to mount it with the hardware that was included.  I mounted mine on the passenger side as close to the LP/Battery cover as I could get it and still have it not interfere with anything.  I chose this mount because it extends the tire out away from the tongue a bit and allows you to mount if further back.  When it stops raining, I could take a couple photos if that would be helpful.

CaptRon

Hi all.

My wife and I are new to the forum and new owners (in the Seattle area) of a 2007 T@B and have been on two outings so far.  We are still going through the getting-to-know-the-T@B stage.  We noticed that the spare tire is mounted under the body and is hard to get to.  I didn't want to unscrew the mounting nut for fear of breaking my arm when the tire falls down.  So, I too am interested in mounting the tire elsewhere.  However, in your mounting the spare on the tongue, has anyone noticed much of an impact on load on the tow vehicle due to increased tongue weight?  The original mounting location is close to the axle and doesn't cause any tongue weight.  Comments?

RZRBUG

My T@B is a 2013 model.  I understand it and the 2007 may be designed somewhat differently, so I'm not sure how my situation would relate to yours.  Moving the spare from the back to the tongue will make some difference, but I'm not sure just how much.  It is one of the reasons I made the move.  It helped balance the weight by getting some of the weight ahead of the axle and helped solve some of the wiggle I was having while towing.  Also the increased weight on the tongue had very little effect on my tow vehicle since I tow with a full-sized pickup.

Jimbo

CaptRon,

I also have a 2013 model (Q model) and did not like the spare mounted under the rear of the trailer. Primarily very little travel clearance aside form actually changing a flat.  And OK I am a little older and did not want to have to crawl under the trailer on the side of a road and retrieve the spare. When I removed it I did follow the instructions in the manual and lowed the tongue to the ground which made it more accessible. I put it back in it's original carrying place in early models. The storage area under the rear dinette seat on the door side holds it just fine. Personally I think the manual contradicts itself by telling you not to use the jacks to lift the trailer and then tells you to change the tire to lower the tongue to the ground and then extend the rear jacks and then crank up the tongue to lift the axle and flat tire to be changed. I am sure this will work but to do this one has to disconnect the trailer from the TV. This most likely will have to be accomplished on the side of a road that may or may not be flat terrain.  Fortunately I have a TV that I can stow a lot of things that I might need the on board storage to carry primarily larger items. So far I have not missed the loss of the storage under the rear dinette seat. I have a sissor jack and crank handle and a foam insert that holds the jack and crank handle and lug wrench and fits in the tires rim depression and all all fits in the storage compartment. I was going to go with the tongue mount if this had not worked so well for me. The weight distribution is almost unchanged but RZRBUG's point about tongue weight improvement may be desired in your situation aside form the loss of on board storage with my solution.

CaptRon

Thanks Jim and Larry.  I like the idea of putting it in the storage area under the seat.  We don't store much in the trailer and that would make it more accessible. 

Nomad

I moved mine and haven't noticed any difference in towing - 2015-S

And, I need the storage.

judymac

Where did you remount your tire and what fitting did you use?

Nomad

It's mounted to the frame on the passenger side right in front of the propane tank cover. I used the same one RZRBUG referenced above... http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Cargo-Control/Fulton/FHDSTC0101.html ...Not the best picture but the only one that shows the spare tire.

judymac

Thanks. We have a bike hitch receiver being shipped from dealer. Guess we will see how this comes together as to not interfere with that and our lift gate

RetAF

This thread reminds me that I need to seal the bolts on the rear of the T@B where I took off the spare to mount it to the tongue. I plan on using clear silicone and tightening the nuts to aid in keeping water out...

Nomad

RetAF - Thanks for the reminder - I need to do that also.

judymac

We are removing the spare tire mounted underneath our T@B. Should we be concerned about the Alde heat while the tire is stored under the rear bench? I haven't convinced my husband to mount on the tongue. We received our new dual hitch today and will have to wait until warm weather to see how much space we will have.