Spare Tire Carrier Mount

What Is a Spare Tire Carrier Mount?

A spare tire carrier mount is the hardware system that secures your spare tire to your vehicle, trailer, or RV when it's not in use. Far more than a simple bracket, a quality carrier mount keeps your spare accessible, protects it from road damage, and — depending on your application — can mean the difference between a quick trailside fix and being stranded for hours. Whether you're towing a travel trailer across the country, overlanding in a Jeep Wrangler, or heading out on an off-road trail, having your spare properly mounted is a fundamental part of any prepared build.

Carrier Mount Types: Matching the Mount to the Machine

Spare tire carrier mounts are not one-size-fits-all. The right choice depends entirely on your vehicle or trailer type and how you use it. Here are the main categories to consider:

• Under-frame / underslung mounts — Popular for travel trailers and 5th wheels, these carriers secure the spare beneath the chassis, keeping it out of the way and off the rear bumper. Telescoping designs allow easy lowering and retrieval without crawling under the vehicle.
• Rear bumper / tailgate-hinged mounts — Common on trucks and off-road SUVs like the Jeep Wrangler, these swing-out carriers attach to the tailgate or rear hinge points and can support full-size, oversized tires while still allowing access to the cargo area.
• Relocation brackets — For vehicles that need to accommodate larger aftermarket tires, relocation brackets push the spare mount farther out to create clearance for bigger wheel-and-tire combos.
• Roof and side-mount carriers — Found on overlanding and off-road builds, these mount the spare to the roof rack or body side panels to free up rear access.

Key Considerations When Shopping

Before purchasing a spare tire carrier mount, think through a few critical factors. First, consider tire size and weight — heavier, oversized tires require reinforced mounts with higher load ratings. Second, evaluate mounting location compatibility: an under-frame trailer carrier needs to match your frame width, while a Jeep-style swing carrier must align with factory hinge points or aftermarket bumper specs. Third, look at material and finish — steel construction with a powder-coat or e-coat finish resists corrosion, especially important for trailers that travel through wet and muddy conditions. Finally, consider accessibility: can you retrieve your spare quickly in an emergency, or does the design require tools and awkward maneuvering?

Top Brands in Spare Tire Carrier Mounts

BAL — A Division of Norco Industries is the dominant name in the RV and trailer segment. Their innovative lineup includes the Retract-A-Spare and Hide-A-Spare systems — under-frame carriers designed for travel trailers and 5th wheels with telescoping designs that fit a wide range of frame widths. The BAL Hide-A-Spare stores the spare beneath the trailer and out of sight, eliminating the need for a cumbersome rear-bumper mount while keeping the tire easily retrievable.

For serious off-road and Jeep enthusiasts, TeraFlex Suspension has set the benchmark with their Alpha HD Hinged Spare Tire Carrier system. Engineered specifically for Jeep Wrangler JK and JL platforms, TeraFlex carriers use factory tailgate hinge mounting points to spread load across a wider area and support oversized tires up to 40 inches. The heavily gusseted mounts are CNC laser-cut and welded for strength and include additional mounting points for recovery gear and accessories.

Warn brings its legendary off-road engineering pedigree to the spare tire carrier category, offering solutions built for durability in demanding environments. Warn's reputation for rugged, trail-ready hardware makes their carrier products a trusted choice for truck and 4x4 owners who demand reliability.

C.E. Smith offers spare tire carrier hardware oriented toward trailer and marine towing applications, a natural extension of their broader towing accessories lineup. And Kleinn Horns rounds out the category with specialized mounting hardware that integrates spare tire carriers with their accessory mounting systems, appealing to truck owners building multi-function rear setups.

Getting the Right Fit

Always verify frame width, bolt pattern, and maximum tire diameter specs before purchasing. For trailer applications, confirm whether your frame has an enclosed underbelly, as this affects which under-frame mount style will work. For off-road vehicles, check aftermarket bumper compatibility if you've already upgraded from the factory rear bumper. The right spare tire carrier mount isn't just a convenience — it's a critical piece of your vehicle's emergency preparedness kit.