Trailer Hitch and Wiring for a 2015 Toyota Highlander with Full Size Spare Tire

Updated 06/05/2020 | Published 05/07/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(1022)

$247.00

etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs

(1381)

$91.74

Question:

I have a 2015 Toyota Highlander XLE with a temporary spare. I plan on mounting a full sized spare instead. It appears that this hitch covers part of the spare tire. Is this true? A full sized tire will hang down about 3inch further than the temporary spare. According to the install pictures, the spare is in between the truck and the hitch, and thus a full sized tire wont fit. Can you confirm this?

asked by: Pete

Expert Reply:

Curt, the manufacturer, used to say that trailer hitch # C13200 is compatible with the full size spare tire on the 2015 Toyota Highlander. But with the caveat that when raising or lowering the spare you will need to angle it some to clear the hitch instead of just straight up or down. Now they are saying that it fits if the vehicle has the mini spare but not the full sized spare.

If you plan on doing some towing you might be interested in etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag.

If the ball mount kit does not have the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, use the link I have included that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.

And for trailer wiring you can use # 118449. I have linked a video showing how it installs.

expert reply by: Michael H

Gary M.

6/2/2020

Hi looking at the curt 13200 which says Hitch will fit with full size spare tire stowed under vehicle unless spare is on an Aluminum rim, which is too wide. I just got my highlander and want to replace my spare donut with "real' tire but does not need to be the factory aluminum rim. Does that mean I can buy a generic steel wheel and tire and still have it fit with curt 13200?