Spare tire

Pearl

Here's what my mechanic came up with for the spare tire

jkjenn

Pearl, any idea what size the ubolts are? I really like the way this looks.

Cyclonic

Yes, I like it.  This is what I will be doing.

mawebb

It's such a great idea and seems so simple. Once you see it you wonder why you didn't think of it. I like that the frame actually supports the weight of the spare and the bracket simply holds it in place. 

judymac

I like this, also!  Only problem is that after my DH worked 3 days to install our bike racks for proper turning radius, it would alleviate our ability to carry bikes. 
This is a great spare tire alternative.

jdargis

Like the idea, but a few concerns I see.  For vehicles with a light tongue capacity, the weight of the tire bracket (5lb), spare tire (30lb),  bike rack (20lb) and two bicycles (60lb)  sends the tongue weight soaring.  I would like to just move the spare tire to the front, but the 200lb tongue capacity on my 2 dr Wrangler Jeep makes it to much, just something to keep in mind, with vehicles like mine.

leenscottfl

Slaps self on forehead for not being creative enough to do that by myself. Thanks for sharing.

Cyclonic

Lee N Scott, I pretty much did the same thing.

jdargis, you are absolutely right.  This is not a mod for everyone.  It will work for many, but if you have a Class I hitch, you are already coming close to you tongue capacity, so you would have to be careful just how much you add.

in2mtns

Clever idea!   Hi Pearl:  Where did you find the bracket to hold the tire?  Is this something you found "off the shelf" or did you fabricate it yourself?  Thanks!

cortlandjim

also interested in parts list? sizes, etc. 
cool idea. did you offset the added tongue weight by adding something to the rear?

in2mtns

Answered my own question about where to find brackets.  ETrailer has quite a variety of "offset style" spare tire carriers:

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer_Cargo_Control-pt-Frame_Mount-pc-Offset_Style.aspx

mawebb

I am pretty sure from the photos that it is the Maxx Tow Spare Tire Carrier for 3" x 5" Trailer Frames - 4-Lug and 5-Lug Wheels. I bought the Fulton and it might work as well. I will have to give it a try.

DABWCA

The label shown on the carrier in the photo says it's an Ultra-Tow carrier, which is sold through Northern Tool. The U-bolt is a cleaver adaptation for mounting it on the T@B.  For details see http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200414722_200414722

DurangoTaB

I'm a little surprised, living in the mountains, that we haven't had problems with the spare tire hitting the ground....but I am intrigued by that bike rack.  I plan on using Rocky Mount (go CO!) fork mounted roof racks for the bikes on our trip to the coast this May...

kybob

I, too, would be interested in what size U-Bolts to use. I may ask my dealer to not mount the tire underneath, and hook this up when I pick it up. Thanks!

Rad

I removed my spare and the mount from under the T@B yesterday.  I will carry the spare in my tv until I decide on a mount for it.   I'm  glad I will not have to remove it from the  underneath mount If I get a flat on the road.  There was not much room to get under it and I would assume there would be even less with a flat wheel.

Rad

Walloe said:

I'm thinking of putting the spare under the back floor of my Rav 4.  It looks like there will be enough space for the spare.  If not then I will sit it upright on the side and tie it in place.

I have no space problem in my tv, it is a Ford F-150, lots of bed room.  I'm just not sure I want to worry about one more thing to pack when we take off for a trip.

ChanW

That's the best plan I've seen for the spare. I too slap my forehead.

Would need to compensate the extra tongue weight somehow, with more weight to the rear of the axle.

After having dealt with it more than once, removing & replacing the rear-mounted spare tire is painful, to say the least.

tabasco

I had planned to mount the spare up forward but did not want to increase tongue weight, eventually mounted it just behind the axle with a through bolt coming up under the rear seat.

Yes, I know I have to get under the trailer to remove the spare, but dont you have to get underneath to  jack up the trailer in the first place? Either way, if you have a flat its going to be

tight and probably messy under there. Not to sure about L.G. framework but it works out well on my early Alko frame. This brings my tongue weight to under 150

driftless

was anyone taken the rear tire bracket off from under the T@B and then used u bolt to mount the bracket to the side of the tongue.  This seem like it would work.

Verna

driftless said:

was anyone taken the rear tire bracket off from under the T@B and then used u bolt to mount the bracket to the side of the tongue.  This seem like it would work.

I think that would make the tire too close to the ground.  I have an elevated spare tire holder and I still hit the pavement in Carlsbad, CA this winter and knocked the holder loose and my spare tire ended up on the pavement, but still attached to the tongue.  (I had to angle the holder back so that the tire would quit hitting the bumper on my new Tacoma, so it's lower to the ground than this picture shows.)

leenscottfl

I moved my spare to the side of the tongue and within 30 minutes it bottomed out. Just in time Pearl opted the pics above. Now my spare rides on top of the tongue secured to the jack. Thanks again to Pearl for sharing that solution.

mickietucs

I know this is an older thread but now that my T@B will be ready next month I was thinking of asking the dealer to mount the spare as shown in Pearl's photos. Only thing I'm not finding is where everyone who did it that way got the u-bolts. The part "Maxx Tow Spare Carrier" from Northern Tools doesn't come with those bolts. Did anyone else do this and if so, where did you get the u-bolts? Thanks!

gilbutler

I found this mount at Lowe’s:  http://www.lowes.com/pd_220453-15476-628___#BVRRWidgetID. I didn’t find U-bolts I liked, so I just used the included hardware.  I did use heavy duty rubber between the jack post and both tire mount plates.  It seems quite secure and easy to check.