Spare Tire Carrier Mount

A spare tire carrier mount is the hardware that secures a spare wheel and tire to your vehicle or trailer. Factory setups often tuck the spare under the chassis or on the tailgate, but they are designed around stock tire sizes. Once you install larger tires, add a bumper, or take a rig off-road, a dedicated carrier mount gives you a stronger, better-positioned place to keep a full-size spare. Carriers are also common on boat and utility trailers, where a spare is essential for roadside recovery.

Why the Right Mount Matters

A spare tire and wheel can easily weigh well over 100 pounds. Mounted poorly, that mass can cause tailgate sag, rattles, vibration, and stress on hinges or brackets. A well-engineered carrier spreads the load into the frame or bed, keeps the spare from shifting on rough trails or highways, and can keep sensors, cameras, and brake lights unobstructed. Corrosion-resistant finishes such as powder coating or zinc plating also help the hardware survive road salt, mud, and water exposure.

Types of Spare Tire Carrier Mounts

• Tailgate and swing-out carriers: Common on Jeep Wranglers and the Ford Bronco, these pivot with the tailgate or a swing arm and can support oversized spares.
• Relocation brackets: Bolt-on brackets that move the factory-position spare up and away from the vehicle to clear a larger tire.
• Bed-mounted vertical carriers: Hold a full-size spare upright in a pickup bed, keeping weight off the tailgate.
• Roof and rack mounts: Attach to a roof rack or accessory platform to carry a spare overhead.
• Trailer carriers: U-bolt or side-mount designs that clamp to a trailer tongue or frame rail.

What to Consider When Shopping

• Vehicle fitment: Many carriers are model- and generation-specific, so confirm year, make, and body style.
• Maximum tire size and weight rating: Match the carrier to your spare's diameter and weight, not just your daily tires.
• Bumper compatibility: Some carriers require a specific aftermarket bumper, while others bolt to the factory one.
• Lug pattern and wheel size: Particularly important for trailer carriers and bolt-through mounts.
• Accessory provisions: Look for third brake light relocation, camera clearance, or mounting points for jacks and fuel cans.

Brands to Know

AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) is known for expedition-grade Jeep and truck equipment, including frame-mounted carriers for Wranglers that keep spare tire weight off the tailgate and vertical bed mounts for trucks like the Jeep Gladiator.

Smittybilt offers a broad range of tire carriers and relocation brackets for Jeeps, Broncos, and Tacomas, with many designs bolting on without drilling and backed by a limited lifetime structural warranty.

C.E. Smith focuses on trailer hardware, and its zinc-plated U-bolt and side-mount spare tire carriers are a practical choice for boat and utility trailers with 4- or 5-lug wheels.

CYBERTRUCKco serves owners of the Tesla Cybertruck with accessories aimed at that distinctive platform, making it a name to check when you want a vehicle-specific solution.

BadAss Tents is better known for overlanding and camping gear, and its presence here reflects how spare tire carrying has become part of the broader outdoor and overland setup.

Carry Your Spare with Confidence

Whether you are running 37-inch tires on the trail, hauling a boat to the ramp, or building out a pickup for overlanding, the right carrier mount keeps your spare secure and accessible. Browse the options above to find a mount that matches your vehicle, tire size, and how you use it.