Keeping a spare tire is a sensible idea for anyone hauling a trailer. Finding a place to keep a spare tire can be an adventure!
Thankfully, there are several space-saving options to attach your spare tire to your frame or tongue.
We looked at four of those and sorted them by their price points, value, and customer feedback. They include 4,5, and 6 lug patterns.
Here are the 4 Best Spare Tire Carriers for your Trailer:
1.MaxxHaul Powder Coat Black 70214 Trailer Spare Tire Carrier
Bolt Pattern: 4 or 5 lug
MaxxHaul has a few different options in this category, but this particular mount is by far their best-selling.
The powder coated black mount has a price that can’t be beaten by anything on this list, and comparable solutions can go for triple the price.
This mounts on trailer tongues up to 3 inches wide and 5 inches high. The raised design will give clearance to the dimensions of your boat if you have one. But, it can be used for standard trailer hauling as well.
Mounting hardware is included and consists of 4 bolts with everything else that you’ll need for a snug fit. This gets the job done and holds tires with a weight of up to 100-lbs. There are some heavy-duty options below like our option at #2, but they come at a higher price point.
If you’re shopping and looking for a deal, this is probably going to be the one for you.
2. Extreme Max Standard 3001.0064 High-Mount Spare Tire Carrier
Bolt Pattern: 4, 5, or 6 lug
Extreme Max has an angled and elevated spare tire carrier that is perfect for owners of a boat trailer.
But, you’ll pay quite a bit more for this compared to our first option.
Is it worth it? Well, the heavy-duty steel used weighs double a Maxxhaul unit with a zinc coating to help prevent rust.
They also include a 2-year replacement warranty off the bat and it supports the six lug pattern as well. It’ll fit a spare up to 16″. At this price, we would have preferred a powder coated finish.
But, that’s a minor gripe. It’s still a good heavy-duty choice for someone with a little spare cash to spend.
3. MAXXHAUL 80071 Powder Coat Black Trailer Spare Carrier with Tire Locking Bracket
Bolt Pattern: 4 or 5 lug
Maxxhaul is back at it again, but this carrier features an innovation that made it noteworthy.
The bracket that is extended is made for a padlock, so if you’re looking for something you can secure yourself this design helps.
Of course, there are other ways to lock a spare tire. The most common being a lug nut lock option. But, if you prefer the regular style then this allows it to be a possibility. Outside of this, it shares nearly the exact specifications to its cousin featured at #1.
This will not fit your trailer if the frame is over 5″ tall.
4. Attwood 11090-3 U-Bolt Sytle Tire Carrier
Bolt Pattern: 4 or 5 lug
The U-Bolt tire carrier by Attwood is the least expensive of the lot. It’s a light and simple solution to attaching a spare.
The design is different than the usual pattern seen in other options above but it will still hold 4 or 5 lug patterns with ease.
Tires that work with this have to be between 8 and 15 inches. This will not house your 16″ tire, so double check before ordering. It is still possible to lock this by slipping a padlock through the bracket holes.
If you want an inexpensive no-nonsense solution, this is hard to beat!
FAQS
What is a bolt pattern and why is it important when choosing an option?
The bolt pattern can be better accurately summarized by this article here.
But, to summarize it is an imaginary circle formed by the center of the wheel lugs. So, in addition to knowing how many lugs you need, it’s also important to know whether the diameter of the bolt patterns falls within the specification as well.
You should read each product posting to make sure you’re okay for a good fit.
Are there any other accessories I should consider after getting my spare tire mount?
There are two primary concerns for people who purchase and set up a spare tire mount. Number one, the tire will be exposed to the elements and sunlight all day long. That can be easily fixed with a tire cover.
Number two, the tires are easily removable without a lock. If you are worried about theft, getting a lug nut lock is a peace of mind addition to your purchase.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide helped you see some of the different styles for trailer mounts to make a more informed decision. If you’re hauling a boat trailer, you will probably need an angled mount to give you some clearance. But, that depends on your setup.
We think each of these options offers something of value and for us, it’s between MaxxHaul’s tire mount and the U-Bolt tire carrier by Attwood for the best value.
If you end up picking one of the choices from this guide, be sure to come back and let us know how it worked out for you. Thanks for reading and happy shopping!