Wanted: Ideas and thoughts on moving the spare tire to the trailer tongue!

I get your drift so far as your limitations and what you are trying to accomplish here.  There is a ton of information with the forum too via the search function as this has been a topic of interest many times, but you could also try looking on etrailer.com as they have many products that might fit the bill for what you are trying to achieve here.  

For me personally and when I hear these types of discussions I'm always thinking about tongue weight and what an additional tire and bracket adds to the overall weight given you have a 20# propane tank, battery and tub mounted to the front of the trailer.  That concerns me, but with physical limitations/need as you have it is probably a more viable alternative.  

If it were me I would look to mount the trailer in a similar fashion as shown in the photo below as it keeps the weight/center of gravity to the center near the trailer tongue, still allows for access to the tub area and still gives one access to the spare tire if a flat or damage is encountered along the trail.  I'd probably have someone fabricate something like this and weld it permanently to the frame or come up with a removable mount to allow someone else down the line the ability to do what they wanted with the spare & mount.  As for the underside spare mounting bracket I would just leave it as is and allow someone else the ability to use it should you sell your trailer.  I'm not sure whether or not it is welded to the trailer, but it shouldn't present any clearance issues and you won't risk burning the fabric should it need to be cut off with a torch, etc.

This is the one I used. It is very beefy. We first mounted it to the side of the tongue but felt the tire was too low to the ground so we mounted it crosswise attached it to the jack post. I feel like it is better balanced that way. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00RJKB2FQ/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I would like to find one that mounts right next to the propane box.  I have an '06 and have seen a couple, but have yet to find something hat would fit and seems reasonable to mount in the area.  Not sure of the clearance on the newer T@Bs....

This is the one I use.  It was one of the first mods I made.  It has been riding here for almost three years without incident.  Weight and balance considerations can be more critical if your TV is already close to its limits.  I pull with a full-sized pickup, so it is not as critical for me.  

I do pay attention to balance and weight distribution by not storing as much in front of the axle as I would if the tire were still mounted in back.  Mine is mounted on the right side of the tongue, so a little more weight on the left side of the trailer, etc.

What Scott said about the bracket.  Mine is in the storage shed until such time as I decide to let go of the T@B.

BTW, this is not a permanent mod and is not that expensive, so if you decide it is not working out, just take it off and try something else.



https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Cargo-Control/Fulton/FSTC1000301.html

ericnliz said:

Makes sense, that way your skivvies don't get caught on the bracket!

Especially his prized pink flamingo ones!

Mounted on the passenger side leaves everything you need access to - propane, battery, dump valves - all out in the open.
It's been mounted there just shy of two years without a problem.

Verna, Mike, I appreciate your mentioning this.  Although I haven't had any problems, I know things like this can work loose over time.  AND, this discussion reminded me that I haven't checked the nuts on this mount since I installed, nor have I checked the air in the spare (other than just hitting it with my fist).  Will check today.

I only change out my propane tank in my skivvies in the dark of night when it's warm out. When it's hot...You don't want to know.

There's more than 4 letters in that word, @ericnliz !

Verna - They're so easily set up :-)