Has anyone considered swing away spare tire carrier? This one fits in the 2" receiver hitch: http://www.wilcooffroad.com/shop/hitchgate/
Swing away spare tire carrier for AWD?
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I found another option on the same site. This one looks more like something for a van or small SUV. They do say that it might interfere with a backup camera.
http://www.wilcooffroad.com/shop/hitchgate-solo/
http://www.wilcooffroad.com/shop/hitchgate-solo/
I emailed the manufacturer about this hitch. The confirmed that the Solo would work for the Sienna. Here is an excerpt from the return email:
Another option is our new Hitchgate Solo which is a low clearance version of the classic Hitchgate...meaning, it sits almost 5" lower than the regular Classic Hitchgate...the same level as the Hitch itself...which, on a Sienna, is under the bumper. The Solo is over 40lbs lighter than the regular Hitchgate but it does sit very low in comparison...again, the SAME level/height as your hitch is where it's rectangular support tube sits. Ultimately, the Solo is best for when your rear hatch and your hitch are very close, in which case, the regular Hitchgate would prevent the door from opening as it's rectangular support arms sit up much higher.
Let me know if you have any other questions, I'm happy to help!
-Erik
Erik Williams - Sales Manager
Toll-free: (877)945-2684 ext 104
2016 SEMA Booth #36220
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<!-- END TEMPLATE: ame_output -->"]Single Motion JK Tire Carrier[/ame]
Another option is our new Hitchgate Solo which is a low clearance version of the classic Hitchgate...meaning, it sits almost 5" lower than the regular Classic Hitchgate...the same level as the Hitch itself...which, on a Sienna, is under the bumper. The Solo is over 40lbs lighter than the regular Hitchgate but it does sit very low in comparison...again, the SAME level/height as your hitch is where it's rectangular support tube sits. Ultimately, the Solo is best for when your rear hatch and your hitch are very close, in which case, the regular Hitchgate would prevent the door from opening as it's rectangular support arms sit up much higher.
Let me know if you have any other questions, I'm happy to help!
-Erik
Erik Williams - Sales Manager
Toll-free: (877)945-2684 ext 104
2016 SEMA Booth #36220
[ame="<!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: ame_output -->
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<a href="" title="YouTube (Short URL)" target="_blank">YouTube (Short URL)</a>
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<!-- END TEMPLATE: ame_output -->"]Single Motion JK Tire Carrier[/ame]
Good point. My LE doesn't have a power lift gate, so I don't have to worry. Thank you!
I'm talking with a local fabricator who has built several similar tire carriers. He is looking at the design to see if it can be built to still allow partial function of the backup camera, and also allow view of the license plate. He has done excellent work for me before, so if he thinks he can do it, I'll have him build me one. I read online that Toyota says the Sienna is 78" wide, so if the 29" tire takes up the last 30" (inset 1") on the passenger side, that should leave 48" clear. That would leave the license plate clear (with a couple inches to spare) and the camera completely clear (although view to the passenger side will be partially obscured). Now, if this idea just holds up when I get back to the van with a tape measure... .
We'll see. Many construction ideas have fallen apart under the unyielding glare of a simple tape measure.
I'm talking with a local fabricator who has built several similar tire carriers. He is looking at the design to see if it can be built to still allow partial function of the backup camera, and also allow view of the license plate. He has done excellent work for me before, so if he thinks he can do it, I'll have him build me one. I read online that Toyota says the Sienna is 78" wide, so if the 29" tire takes up the last 30" (inset 1") on the passenger side, that should leave 48" clear. That would leave the license plate clear (with a couple inches to spare) and the camera completely clear (although view to the passenger side will be partially obscured). Now, if this idea just holds up when I get back to the van with a tape measure... .
We'll see. Many construction ideas have fallen apart under the unyielding glare of a simple tape measure.
I know a local fabricator. He builds commercial utility trailers, installs truck beds, etc. He told me that he had built several custom tire carriers. He looked at the Wilco products, and says he can build me something similar, but it will be custom fit for the AWD Sienna. It will put the tire on the passenger side in the rear, leave the license plate completely clear, leave the back-up camera completely clear, not infringe significantly on either the rear window view or the rear tail light assembly. He has done quite a bit of work for me previously, and his work is excellent. He said he could do this for about the same price as the Wilco products. It will be a couple of weeks before it is done, but he will start next week. He'll need the van for a day or so during the final fit-up.
I'm pretty excited about this.
I'm pretty excited about this.
I believe he will start on the tire carrier next week. I suggested that he keep notes/sketches/photos in case others wanted one. He'll have my Sienna to optimize the fit on mine, but he wouldn't have that luxury on an out of town order. Normally, his business doesn't involve shipping products so he may not want to do that. His biggest amount of work is building heavy duty utility trailers for a local dealer, so he is generally busy but takes small jobs like this as fill in.
In other news: I ordered some Michelin X Ice tires mounted on rims from Tire Rack. Only had the new tires for about 4 days and this tank of gas is all in town driving. AVERAGE gas mileage with 100 miles on the current tank of gas was 18.4 before pulling off the new dealer installed run flats and putting on the Michelins. I saw an immediate, and steady increase in the AVERAGE gas mileage with the Michelins, and yesterday at about the 170 mile point (on this tank of gas), I saw the AVERAGE gas mileage break over 20. Looks like going from the Bridgestone run flats to the Michelins is going to get me about 2 mpg increase. But, this is only the first tank. So it is soon to say for sure, but I didn't expect this much of a change. Car drives and handles better as well. No wonder everyone hates the run flats.
I was planning on running the Bridgestones until they were shot (only have about 300 miles on them, newly installed by Carmax where I bought the van a couple weeks ago), but with that amount of gas mileage increase, I'm thinking about going ahead and getting Michelin all season tires. I think I've settled on Michelin LTX based on the reviews at Tire Rack. I wanted a non-directional rotation tire for the spare (the X Ice is directional). I'm talking with a local tire dealer about trading the new take-off Bridgestones in on 5 Michelin LTX that will be mounted on the OEM rims (they can get me a 5th rim).
We'll see how this goes.
In other news: I ordered some Michelin X Ice tires mounted on rims from Tire Rack. Only had the new tires for about 4 days and this tank of gas is all in town driving. AVERAGE gas mileage with 100 miles on the current tank of gas was 18.4 before pulling off the new dealer installed run flats and putting on the Michelins. I saw an immediate, and steady increase in the AVERAGE gas mileage with the Michelins, and yesterday at about the 170 mile point (on this tank of gas), I saw the AVERAGE gas mileage break over 20. Looks like going from the Bridgestone run flats to the Michelins is going to get me about 2 mpg increase. But, this is only the first tank. So it is soon to say for sure, but I didn't expect this much of a change. Car drives and handles better as well. No wonder everyone hates the run flats.
I was planning on running the Bridgestones until they were shot (only have about 300 miles on them, newly installed by Carmax where I bought the van a couple weeks ago), but with that amount of gas mileage increase, I'm thinking about going ahead and getting Michelin all season tires. I think I've settled on Michelin LTX based on the reviews at Tire Rack. I wanted a non-directional rotation tire for the spare (the X Ice is directional). I'm talking with a local tire dealer about trading the new take-off Bridgestones in on 5 Michelin LTX that will be mounted on the OEM rims (they can get me a 5th rim).
We'll see how this goes.
Joined
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10 Posts
I'm curious - what problem are you solving by making this change? What's wrong with the spare where it is??
The AWD does not have a spare tire. It has run flats.:surprise:
I purchased a 2017 Toyota Sienna and my first step is to have a hitch receiver installed.
I am about to pull the trigger on a Wilco Hitchgate Solo, as I plan to carry a spare on it.
A local hitch installer says they can install a Curt or Drawstite. Anybody here know if these are compatible with the Wilco Solo?
Max at Wilco says the receiver should sit flush with the bumper, but the Curt and Drawstite is recessed an inch or two.
Tom in Salem
I am about to pull the trigger on a Wilco Hitchgate Solo, as I plan to carry a spare on it.
A local hitch installer says they can install a Curt or Drawstite. Anybody here know if these are compatible with the Wilco Solo?
Max at Wilco says the receiver should sit flush with the bumper, but the Curt and Drawstite is recessed an inch or two.
Tom in Salem
It'll work. I suggest opting for the Hitchgate Solo High Clearance probably.
Joined
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196 Posts
Looks fantastic. I'd love the AWD, but I don't want run flats, I won't own run flats, again. I hope the 2021 update includes an AWD without run flats.
Joined
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196 Posts
I was curious, likely a dumb question, with this being a 2WD, why not leave the spare tucked under the bumper?
There’s no spare under bumper, it’s under floor behind passenger seat.
Problem is, it’s a donut, not a full size spare. I don’t want to be stuck at 30mph hunting for a tire store.
I'm considering getting the Hitcgate Solo Hi-Clearance. Now that you've had it for a while more, are things still good? No issues? Do you feel it was worth the cost?
No issues. Still great!
Sweet! One more thing, about how much space is there between the back of the tire and the rear door? Is it hanging off the back by a lot with a gap? Thank you again!
Depends which hole you use. I’d say about 3”.
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