Trailer Towing with Tire/Tire Cover on back of van

travelguy2500 · 10-27-2011, 08:21 AM

I'm finalizing plans for a new EB van conversion (4X4) which I will use as a tow vehicle for my 28' trailer. With a rear bath and generator, I'll need to mount the spare tire on the back of the van. Is this ok? Will it get in the way of towing the trailer? I've only towed with a pick-up (so far) so am not as familiar with using a van as a tow vehicle. Thanks

**BroncoHauler** · 10-27-2011, 08:24 AM

Are you talking about the spare on a bumper mounted carrier? Mines on my Aluminess bumper and it has plenty of clearance for my car hauler trailer.

Herb

travelguy2500 · 10-27-2011, 08:46 AM

It would be the continental carrier mounted to the rear door of the van. Thanks for the quick reply

maxacceleration · 10-27-2011, 04:34 PM

It gets tight.
I had to go to a weight distribution hitch for the extra clearance needed as I could not pull the trailer and make turns otherwise..
Turned out good, better clearance and a WD hitch (w/swaybar) makes it all pull easier with less sway/bucking.
I also had a hand crank tongue jack which did not clear the spare tire. I had to upgrade to an electric jack to make for the needed clearance.
I still need to be careful on not jackknifing to tight backing in to certain spots.
Maybe some trailers have a longer tongue?

If I were you I would plan on the weight distribution hitch and the extra length it provides.
Plus it will pull so much better.
Worked for me. Half of my 25K miles on my van has been pulling a trailer.
Oh, and airbags are helpful too. Helps for a level set-up.

I could not pull with this set-up...

usmc2 · 10-28-2011, 07:10 AM

What hitch is that you have?

maxacceleration · 10-28-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usmc2

What hitch is that you have?

I believe its an EAZ-Lift, which I purchased at Torklift. I think Torklift is a chain but any brand should do.
1000 lb tongue weight/10,000 lb trailer weight rated.

I was told my rig would have clearance to tow, not the case! Car haulers & other various trailers have a longer tongue to provide more clearance (and balance) which my travel trailer does not have.

You know the saying.... A long tongue is good!!!

Greggd · 11-30-2011, 10:49 PM

With a trailer of the size that you have you would be well advised to have the Easy Lift or similar Weight Distribution Hitch !
Makes for not only safer towing but a much nicer ride !
Greggd

travelguy2500 · 12-01-2011, 08:00 PM

Thx - now I'm thinking the aluminess bumper might lift the tire higher. I have a reiss wight distributing hitch with dual Cam sway control which I was told was one of the better systems out there. My bars are rated 1,500 pounds on the tongue - 50% higher per rating than my actual tongue weight. I guess I won't really know until I get the van to see it for real how well the weight distributing hitch combined with the sway control on the hitch and in the sway control quigley is installing in the rear will work.