Spare Tire Carriers
Tie Down Engineering 86091 U-Bolt Spare Tire Carrier Zinc-Plated Without Brackets
Tie Down Engineering 86069 Adjustable Spare Tire Carrier for 4, 5 & 6-Lug Wheels
Tie Down Engineering 86068 Spare Tire Carrier with Eliminator Removable Spindle/Hub
Tie Down Engineering 86064 Hot-Dip Galvanized Spare Tire Carrier for Aluminum I-Beam Trailers
Tie Down Engineering 86060 Heavy-Duty Spare Tire Carrier for Boat, I-Beam & Aluminum Trailers
Why a Spare Tire Carrier Matters for Trailers and RVs
Whether you're hauling a boat to the lake, rolling a fifth wheel to a campsite, or towing a utility trailer across open country, a flat tire on the road is an inconvenience you can't always avoid — but being stranded without a spare is a choice you can. A spare tire carrier keeps your backup tire securely mounted, easily accessible, and out of the way so it doesn't interfere with your cargo, hitch accessories, or the vessel you're towing. For any serious trailer owner, it's as essential as the jack in your toolkit.
Types of Trailer Spare Tire Carriers
Not all spare tire carriers are built the same, and the right style depends on your trailer's frame, tongue dimensions, and how you use it.
- Tongue-mount / offset carriers bolt directly to the trailer tongue and extend the spare tire up and outward — keeping it clear of the boat hull or cargo. These are popular for boat trailers where avoiding contact with the hull is critical.
- Under-frame / under-chassis carriers mount beneath the trailer frame, tucking the spare out of sight and freeing up the rear bumper for bike racks, cargo trays, or step systems. These are especially common on travel trailers and fifth wheels.
- U-bolt style carriers offer a simple, cost-effective solution for smaller trailers — they clamp directly to the frame or tongue with minimal hardware and accommodate a range of rim sizes.
Key Considerations When Shopping
Before selecting a carrier, measure your trailer tongue or frame dimensions carefully. Most manufacturers list tongue width and height compatibility (for example, tongues up to 3" x 5") as well as compatible rim sizes and lug patterns. Also consider your environment: saltwater and coastal use demand galvanized or zinc-plated steel to resist corrosion over time. Finally, check whether mounting hardware is included — many carriers come ready to install, but some require additional hardware for your specific frame configuration.
Top Brands in Spare Tire Carriers
BAL — A Division of Norco Industries is the top-selling brand in this category, well known for its innovative RV-focused designs. Their flagship Retract-A-Spare features a telescoping, under-frame design with a cable-lowering system, and their Hide-A-Spare mounts beneath the trailer to keep the rear bumper completely clear — both are made for travel trailers and fifth wheels.
C.E. Smith has long been a trusted name in boat trailer hardware. They manufacture a full line of replacement parts and accessories for small to mid-size boat trailers, including heavy-duty galvanized spare tire carriers designed for side or tongue mounting with 4- or 5-lug wheel compatibility.
SeaSense brings marine-focused engineering to its spare tire carrier lineup, offering galvanized carriers built specifically to stand up to corrosive saltwater environments. Their offset and U-bolt style carriers are compact, straightforward to install, and fit a range of trailer tongue sizes.
Tie Down Engineering offers galvanized high-mount and frame-mount carriers engineered for boat and utility trailers, with options to accommodate 4, 5, or 6-lug wheels. Their unique Eliminator-series carriers are designed to carry both the spare tire and a pre-greased hub assembly for maximum roadside preparedness.
Dutton-Lainson rounds out the top brands with its U-bolt style and offset carriers, known for their zinc TUFFPLATE finish and wide trailer tongue compatibility. Their offset designs extend the spare tire up and away from the trailer and boat, making them a smart choice for preventing hull contact.