Tow Hitch with spare tire?

[chevymotocross]

I soon would like to mount a trailer hitch to my 87 swb 2wd. The factory spare tire mounting setup is still there. I don't have a step bumper and want to keep the bumper I have. Is there anyway to mount a trailer hitch without interfering with the spare tire? I don't want to have to carry the spare in the bed.

[tyjoja]

great question, i've been wondering the same. I just intalled an under the bed spare set up on my 73, and don't see where the hitch would have room to bolt on, but I hope it is possible. thanks bob

[Slonaker]

I have a frame mounted hitch, and the spare is under the bed, so it has to be possible. I don't know anything about the hitch. It was on the truck when I bought it.

Slonaker

[bigblock73]

Most hitches bolt to the frame rails, and the spare sits between the rails...so you should be fine with pretty much any frame mounted hitch out there.

BTW - Welcome to the board from MN.

[neverfinished]

The only problem I've had in the past was with a short bed truck and a hitch designed to hide behind the bumper. Everything fit well side to side but the spare hit the cross member that the receiver was welded to. A smaller tire may have fit but the problem was more an issue of how the hitch was built. It sat way back behind the edge of the bed and had a longer receiver.

[chevymotocross]

I'll have to check into this more, I have a Reese hitch mounted to my 78 ford that fits chevy as well with different brackets, I may just pull it off and try mounting it to the chevy. Bigblock73, your photo icon of the chevy racing trucks, is that from Nascar truck racing from the 80's?

[Eyegore]

My box hitch is attached to my step bumper, true I cannot haul a huge trailer with it, but a smaller 5 x 12 maybe, and that depends what's loaded on it. Remember though it's not what you can haul but how you stop the load your towing, you may need a trailer brake.

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by chevymotocross

Bigblock73, your photo icon of the chevy racing trucks, is that from Nascar truck racing from the 80's?

Here you go

http://www.73-87.com/7387info/Circle_Track_7387.htm

[boxrodz]

I have a Reese Class III or IV receiver mounted under the frame of my truck. Although, it's a tight fit, the spare tire sits in the original location. Only mod I made was to relocate the long threaded carrier bolt that holds up the spare tire by using 1/4" plate steel. The plate steel replaces the 1/4" spacers use between the frame and the receiver. (The pic is deceiving. It makes the steel plate look off-kilter. It isn't, but the carrier bolt is - slightly.)