6 Best Trailer Spare Tire Mounts For Emergencies Built for Rough Roads
Secure your trailer’s spare for any terrain. We review 6 heavy-duty, rugged tire mounts built to withstand rough roads and prevent emergency delays.
You’re miles down a jarring, rock-strewn forest service road when you hear it—the unmistakable hiss and thump of a flat trailer tire. The good news is you brought a spare. The bad news is that the flimsy mount it was on rattled apart ten miles back, and your ticket home is now lying somewhere in the dust.
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Why a Robust Spare Mount is Non-Negotiable
The factory-installed spare tire holder on many trailers is often an afterthought, designed for smooth pavement, not the relentless vibration of washboard roads. On rough terrain, your trailer is constantly twisting and jolting. These forces are transferred directly to the mount, and a weak weld or thin-gauge steel will inevitably fail.
When a mount breaks, you don’t just lose a spare tire; you create a serious road hazard. That wheel can become a dangerous projectile for anyone behind you. More likely, it will simply disappear, leaving you completely stranded when you need it most. Investing in a solid mount isn’t about upgrading your gear; it’s about ensuring your trip doesn’t end prematurely with a long walk for help.
BAL Hide-A-Spare for Under-Frame Security
If your goal is to get the spare tire completely out of sight and out of the way, an under-frame carrier is your best bet. This approach is fantastic for protecting the tire from UV degradation and potential theft. It also keeps your trailer’s center of gravity low, which is a subtle but real benefit on off-camber trails.
The BAL Hide-A-Spare is a popular and clever telescoping system that can be bolted or welded underneath your trailer’s frame. It’s adjustable to fit various frame widths and tire sizes, making it a versatile choice for many teardrop, overland, and utility trailers. Once installed, the tire is tucked securely away, safe from the elements and trail hazards like low-hanging branches.
The primary tradeoff here is accessibility. Getting to the spare means getting on the ground, which can be a real pain in mud, snow, or on the side of a steep track. If you get a flat on truly uneven ground, getting enough clearance to drop the tire could be a challenge. It’s a superb solution for those who prioritize a clean profile and security over immediate access.
CURT 31006: A Versatile Frame-Mount Option
For a straightforward, reliable solution that fits a huge range of trailers, a simple frame-mount bracket is tough to beat. This is the classic design you see on everything from small boat trailers to pop-up campers. It’s a proven concept that gets the job done without complexity.
The CURT 31006 is a prime example of this design philosophy. It’s essentially a heavy-duty, L-shaped steel bracket that bolts directly to the trailer tongue or side frame. The design allows for significant adjustability in both height and offset, accommodating different wheel bolt patterns and tire widths. This ensures you can get a snug fit against the frame, minimizing vibration.
This mount is an excellent choice for weekend adventurers and anyone whose travels stick to highways and moderately rough backroads. Its simplicity is its strength—it’s affordable, easy to install, and provides decent access. The main consideration is that the tire is exposed to the elements, and on extremely punishing terrain, you’ll want to periodically check that the mounting bolts remain tight.
Extreme Max 3005.3813 for Custom Setups
What if your trailer frame isn’t a standard I-beam or you’re hesitant to drill holes into it? This is where clamp-on style mounts shine, offering incredible versatility for non-standard configurations. They are perfect for boat trailers with unique frame shapes or custom-built overland rigs.
The Extreme Max 3005.3813 uses a heavy-duty clamp system that grabs onto the trailer frame, allowing you to position the spare exactly where you need it without permanent modification. This is a huge advantage for maintaining the integrity of your frame or for those who may want to reconfigure their setup later.
The key to success with any clamp-on system is proper installation and vigilance. The clamps must be tightened to the correct torque specification to prevent slipping under the constant stress of rough roads. While it offers unmatched placement flexibility, it is critical to make checking these clamps a part of your pre-trip inspection every single time.
Fulton FSTC1000301 for Heavy-Duty Side Mounting
When you’re hauling a larger, heavier spare for a toy hauler or an enclosed cargo trailer, you need a mount that is explicitly built for the load. Side-mounting keeps the tire accessible without taking up valuable tongue space. This is where a heavy-duty, purpose-built bracket becomes essential.
The Fulton FSTC1000301 is engineered from heavy-gauge, zinc-plated steel to handle the weight and leverage of larger tires. Its angled, offset design holds the wheel up and away from the trailer’s siding, preventing chafing and damage to both the tire and the trailer wall. This is a crucial detail that less robust mounts often overlook.
This is a workhorse mount built for durability above all else. Its main tradeoff is weight and profile; it adds to your trailer’s overall width and places the weight higher than an under-frame mount. But for enclosed trailers where other locations aren’t an option, its sheer strength provides peace of mind that your heavy spare will stay put, no matter how rough the road gets.
Buyers Products 1701010: The Bolt-On Workhorse
For some applications, especially on heavy-duty utility or equipment trailers, simplicity equals reliability. You don’t need fancy features or infinite adjustability. You need an overbuilt piece of steel that you can bolt on and forget about, and that’s precisely the role this type of mount fills.
The Buyers Products 1701010 is a perfect example of this industrial-grade approach. It’s a straight-up, no-frills carrier designed to be bolted directly through the side of a trailer frame. Made from thick, powder-coated steel, it’s designed to resist corrosion and handle the abuse of a commercial or backcountry environment.
This isn’t the most elegant solution, but it is one of the most rugged. It’s ideal for the adventurer whose trailer pulls double duty as a work rig or for anyone who values ultimate strength over fine-tuned placement. If your adventures involve hauling heavy loads down unmaintained roads, this is the kind of bombproof reliability you need.
Wilco Offroad Hitchgate Solo: Ultimate Accessibility
For the serious off-road trailer enthusiast, access to the spare can be just as important as its security. Changing a tire in a precarious, off-camber spot is stressful enough without having to crawl in the mud. A swing-out, hitch-mounted carrier offers the ultimate solution for quick and easy access.
The Wilco Offroad Hitchgate Solo isn’t just a mount; it’s a complete system that fits into your trailer’s 2-inch receiver. The robust swing-arm design holds the spare securely on the back of the trailer and allows it to pivot completely out of the way. This is the pinnacle of convenience, especially for trailers with a rear ramp or door.
This level of performance comes with significant tradeoffs. The Hitchgate is by far the most expensive option, and it adds considerable weight and length to your trailer setup. It also occupies your receiver hitch, which may be needed for other accessories. This is a specialized piece of equipment for dedicated overlanders who see a spare tire as critical recovery gear and are willing to invest in immediate, hassle-free access.
Selecting the Right Mount for Your Trailer & Terrain
Choosing the right mount starts with understanding your specific trailer and the kinds of roads you plan to travel. There is no single "best" option, only the one that best fits your needs. Don’t get caught up in finding the perfect product; focus on finding the right solution for your adventure.
First, assess your rig. Look at your trailer’s frame construction (I-beam, C-channel, tube), tongue design, and available real estate. This will immediately narrow your options. An A-frame tongue has different mounting possibilities than the straight side rail of a cargo trailer.
Next, be honest about your terrain. Your choice depends heavily on where you’re going.
- Paved Roads & Graded Gravel: A standard frame mount like the CURT is perfectly adequate.
- Washboard Roads & Forest Trails: Step up to a heavy-duty bolt-on like the Buyers or a secure under-frame system like the BAL.
- Technical Off-Road & Rock Crawling: This is where the extreme security of an under-frame mount or the supreme access of a hitch-mount like the Wilco pays dividends.
Finally, balance the key tradeoffs: security, accessibility, and cost. A cheap mount that fails costs far more than a quality one in the long run. The most important action you can take, regardless of your choice, is to grab a wrench and check that all mounting hardware is tight before every single trip. Vibration is relentless, and a little prevention goes a long way.
A reliable spare tire mount is a piece of gear you hope to never truly need, but its value is immeasurable when you do. It’s about buying peace of mind so you can focus less on what might go wrong and more on the road ahead. Now, get it installed, check your bolts, and go find some adventure.
