Moving spare tire

Mags80Mags80 Member Posts: 13
edited March 28 in Trailer & Towing
2018 T@b 320s towed with 2018 Toyota Highlander with factory tow pkg.  The spare is mounted under the t@b and low enough that it scrapes when I back into my driveway.  My question is…if I can figure out how to mount the spare to sit across the trailer tongue (in front of custom cargo box) will the angle of the tongue change? Because now, both the tire and the hitch scrape on the drive incline.  I dread that portion of any journey.
Thank you for any advice.

Comments

  • MuttonChopsMuttonChops Member Posts: 1,750
    For Future Posting:
    yr-2018 TABs are not Dutchman or Vintage TAB
    You'll get more responses posting questions in the Main Topics Sections
    .

    As for the spare tire mounting.

    Most folks mount the spare at the front Tongue Jack location.
    It is easy to do:


    Here is a Forum Discussion Link that has additional links on moving the spare tire

    Spare Tire Location

    Welcome to the TAB Family.

    '18 320 Spitched axle, 3020HE; PNW based
    TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
    Adventures:  55   Nights:  376  Towing Miles 46,920
  • FreespiritFreespirit Member Posts: 167
    @Mags80, we tow our 2020 TAB 320 with a 2020 highlander and did move our spare tire as @MuttonChops pictures show. We did not notice any difference in the angle of the tongue. However it only corrected one of your/our issue, the spare no longer scraper, but the tongue still scrapes a little given the slope of our driveway. Like you I dreaded backing the TAB down the driveway when leaving and as soon as that was done dreaded the reverse about 1 hour from home. 
    Our solution while not ideal has taken the dread out of leaving and returning. I repurposed some scrap 2X8’s(about 2 to 3 feet long) from lumber piles from houses being built around us. I now place them behind the highlander rear wheels and scraping is not an issue any more. 
    2020 TAB 320 U
    TV 2022 Highlander
  • SlackersSlackers Member Posts: 480
    We had the same issues backing our '19 CSS into our side yard. So we moved the spare as @MuttonChops described. We also place 2x8s as @Freespirit described. An added benefit is our Tab rides smoother with the weight of the tire moved forward.
    What @MuttonChops shows in red (in our case) are a pair of muffler clamps.
    2019 Tab 320 CSS, 2019 Ranger TV, OH
  • B0atguyB0atguy Member Posts: 218
    edited March 30
    When we had our 2019 320 , we were able to mount a "donut" spare tire from a car in the same spot as the original spare for more rear ground clearance . I forget the make of the car , will look back if you are interested (its been 6-7 years now) . The donut size was 155/90/16 mounted on a rim that fit the T@B lug spacing perfectly . It gave quite a bit of extra ground clearance in the rear . Will attach a few pictures of before and after .

    Edit - just found that our "donut" car spare tire came from a 2007 Chevy Equinox . Was a direct bolt on to the T@B lug nut spacing , and it fit on the spare tire mount spot without too much trouble if I recall . 

    2023 Ford F150 Sport 3.5 Ecoboost 
    2024 NuCamp T@B 400 BD,  Grey / White 
    2016 Ford Transit 350 XLT - Adventure / Travel Van / 320s interior !
    2019 NuCamp T@B 320s Grey / Black - SOLD 

     

  • SLJSLJ Member Posts: 588
    Harbor Freight mount attached to the box.

    2021 T@B 320 S Boondock
    2025 KZ Sportsmen 130RD
    2023 Ford Maverick XLT
    The Finger Lakes of New York
  • Mags80Mags80 Member Posts: 13
    My neighbor might help attach the spare to the cargo box; he pointed out that the tire would block the hasp and lock.  So, onward with yet another project of relocating the lock. Tapping screws? Every day I hear something new-to-me.
  • ScottGScottG Administrator Posts: 5,573
    edited April 1
    FWIW, mine's been attached to the tongue jack (see @MuttonChops post above) for almost a decade without incident. It's a simple bolt-on application with the right-sized muffler clamps. Completely removable. No drilling or tapping. No blocking access to the storage tub. YMMV!

    2015 T@B S

  • dsfdogsdsfdogs Member Posts: 612
    @Mags80 here is a link to the post I created when I moved the spare to the tongue of my 2018 320S (with lots of detail). I was towing with a 4Runner. You should still be towing level, but moving the tire will add more weight to your tongue. The 4Runner suspension was soft so it squatted, so I had Les Schwab Tire add Sumo Springs to help level. I would guess the Highlander suspension is stiffer. 

    My 320S was a non-boondock, so wheels/tires were 14".

    I assume you don't have a foot plate or wheel attached to the jack post when towing/backing up to give more clearance?

    I had to back into the driveway at an angle before straightening out to get the 320 into the garage. It was a standard 20' driveway which meant a lot of back and forth to get the trailer into position once I was over the hump. (I was parking on the right side of the garage but backing in from passenger side blind).


    Debbie in Oregon
    2023 Tab 400 / 2022 F150 XLT Sport 3.5EB
    Traded in - 2018 T@B 320 S/2019 Toyota 4Runner SR5

  • EBastowEBastow Member Posts: 6
    edited April 1
    @ScottG The muffler clamp that fits the Harbor Freight spare tire tongue mount from O'Reilly's is Nickson 2-1/2 Inch Steel Exhaust Clamp - 35337 https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/nickson/nickson-2-1-2-inch-steel-exhaust-clamp/nicb/35337 

    Harbor Freight spare tire mount: https://www.harborfreight.com/trailer-spare-tire-carrier-93341.html 

    Evan Bastow
    Travels with 320-S

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