Accessing Spare Tire on 1995 Volkswagen Eurovan With Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver

Updated 05/10/2021 | Published 05/07/2021

Question:

Hello, I’m hoping you will have a good tip on my dilemma. I have a Curt 2” hitch on my 1995 Eurovan camper. Even though the Curt hitch doesn’t prevent access to the retaining and mounting bolts of the spare tire support, the hole where a lug wrench is supposed to fit for lowering/raising the support is blocked by the crossbar of the hitch. Do you have an alternative way to lower/raise the spare tire support without having to use the lug wrench? I’m not able to benchpress the support up and down :. Please see pics for VW manual instructions about lowering/raising support and the hitch on my van. Thanks in advance for your advice on this!

asked by: Tina S

Expert Reply:

I do see your issue and I have a few options that come to mind for overcoming this on your 1995 VW Eurovan.

First the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # 13217 does have a unique design in that the cross tube is bolted to the brackets and can be removed. You would be able to remove the 6 bolts that retain the cross tube and that will give you access to the lifting point and would allow you to use the lug wrench to raise and lower the spare tire.

Second if you do not wish to have to remove the cross tube you can try using your vehicle jack to raise and lower the tire. This may be easier with 2 people to help align the bolt in the spare tire support.

Lastly I cannot tell from your picture but you may be able to have a piece of tube welded onto the bottom of the spare tire support that may allow you to use the lug wrench below the receiver cross tube. This would allow you to more closely access the spare tire using the steps in the manual but lifting and lowering from a different point.

expert reply by: Bud M