Moving from factory tires to 33-, 35- or 37-inch off-road tires can create a problem that many truck, Jeep and UTV builds overlook: where do you put the full-size spare? From bed-mounted carriers and tailgate systems to swing-out bumpers and rear cargo racks, choosing the right spare tire carrier can affect cargo room, departure angle, visibility, weight distribution and how quickly you can get back on the trail after a puncture.
A full-size spare is one of the most practical pieces of equipment on an off-road vehicle. Canadian trails, logging roads, rocky terrain and remote backcountry routes can be unforgiving to tires, and a repair kit is not a replacement for a spare when a tire suffers a damaged sidewall, torn bead or other failure that cannot be plugged.
The challenge is that factory spare-tire storage was normally engineered around the vehicle's original tire size. Once an owner installs larger off-road tires and aftermarket truck wheels, the original carrier may no longer provide enough room or support.
Why Oversized Tires Create Spare-Tire Problems
A larger tire does much more than increase overall diameter. It can also be wider, substantially heavier and mounted on a wheel with different width, backspacing and offset. Those changes can make an upgraded spare incompatible with the original storage location.
A 35-inch or 37-inch tire, for example, may interfere with the truck bed, rear bumper, hitch, crossmembers, suspension or other components when placed in an under-bed location. On a Jeep or SUV with a rear-mounted spare, the additional tire-and-wheel mass can also place more load on the factory tailgate, hinges and carrier.
Factory Under-Bed Spare Tire Locations
Many pickup trucks store the spare horizontally underneath the cargo bed. This arrangement is excellent for maintaining cargo space and keeping the tire out of the driver's rearward view. For a stock truck, it is also a convenient use of otherwise empty chassis space.
Problems can begin when tire diameter increases. There is only so much space between the rear axle, frame, bumper, hitch, exhaust and bed structure. Even if a larger spare can technically be raised into place, there still needs to be adequate clearance for suspension movement and surrounding components.
Advantages of the factory under-bed location
- Keeps the pickup bed completely available for cargo.
- Does not obstruct the rear window.
- Places the spare relatively low on the vehicle.
- Requires no additional exterior carrier when the upgraded tire still fits.
Disadvantages with larger off-road tires
- Physical clearance can become limited as tire diameter increases.
- Mud, salt, water and road debris can make the spare and lowering hardware dirty or difficult to access.
- Recovery equipment or aftermarket hitches and bumpers can further reduce available space.
- A heavily modified truck may simply outgrow the factory spare location.
Tailgate-Mounted Spare Tires
Tailgate-mounted spares are common on Jeep Wranglers and other off-road SUVs. They provide excellent accessibility because the tire is carried vertically at the rear of the vehicle rather than underneath it.
The issue is weight. Increasing tire diameter normally increases the overall mass of the wheel-and-tire package. A heavy aftermarket wheel paired with an aggressive 35- or 37-inch tire can create considerably more leverage on the carrier and tailgate than the original spare.
That does not mean every larger tire automatically damages a tailgate. Vehicle-specific weight limits, hinge design and the construction of the carrier matter. The correct approach is to verify the capacity of the factory system or move to a reinforced carrier designed for the intended tire size.
Watch for camera and brake-light interference
Modern rear spare systems may incorporate the backup camera, third brake light and license-plate mounting. Installing a larger spare or replacing the carrier can therefore require relocation brackets or a vehicle-specific system that preserves these components.
Bed-Mounted Spare Tire Carriers
A bed-mounted carrier is one of the simplest ways to accommodate a large spare on a pickup. Instead of trying to squeeze a 35- or 37-inch tire underneath the chassis, the spare sits securely inside the bed.
This location also keeps the spare easy to see and relatively easy to access. That can be valuable on a trail where lowering a muddy under-bed spare onto uneven ground is inconvenient.
Why bed mounts work well for larger tires
- They provide significantly more physical room for oversized tires.
- The tire is easy to reach when needed.
- There is no additional load placed directly on a factory tailgate carrier.
- A properly designed mount prevents a loose spare from sliding around the cargo bed.
- Some systems adjust for different tire diameters, widths and wheel offsets.
The trade-off: bed space
The obvious disadvantage is cargo capacity. A 35- or 37-inch spare occupies a meaningful portion of a pickup bed. Owners who regularly haul construction material, motorcycles, camping equipment or other large cargo should consider how much usable bed floor they are willing to sacrifice.
For dedicated trail trucks, overland builds or weekend off-road vehicles, the accessibility and simplicity of a bed-mounted carrier can be worth that compromise.
Featured: Rough Country Tacoma Bed Mount Spare Tire Carrier
Rough Country Bed Mount Spare Tire Carrier – 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma
The Rough Country Tacoma Bed Mount Spare Tire Carrier is a dedicated solution for 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma models that have outgrown the original spare location.
Rough Country specifies support for tires up to 40 inches. The mounting system is adjustable to account for tire size and wheel offset, an important feature because aftermarket Tacoma wheels can position the tire differently than the original wheel.
- Designed for 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma applications.
- Supports tires up to 40 inches.
- Adjustable for tire size and wheel offset.
- Durable steel construction.
- Black powder-coated finish for corrosion resistance.
- Rubber gaskets help protect the bed from scrapes and scuffs.
- Installation requires drilling.
This type of carrier is especially useful for Tacomas running larger tires where under-bed clearance becomes difficult or where quick trail access to the spare is a priority.
View Rough Country Tacoma Spare Tire CarrierFeatured: Rough Country Universal Bed Mount Spare Tire Carrier
Rough Country Universal Bed Mount Spare Tire Carrier
Trucks from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC and Ram can face the same problem once factory-size tires are replaced with larger off-road rubber. Rough Country's Universal Bed Mount Spare Tire Carrier provides a bed-mounted option for a range of pickup applications.
The carrier is designed for tire sizes from 33 inches through 40 inches, with a maximum listed tire width of 14 inches. Its steel construction and black powder-coated finish make it suited to the environment found in an exposed truck bed.
- Universal design intended for many truck beds.
- Designed for 33- to 40-inch tires.
- Maximum listed tire width of 14 inches.
- Steel construction.
- Black powder-coated finish.
- Spare can be accessed from the top of the bed.
- Installation requires drilling.
Rear Cargo-Rack Spare Tire Carriers
Trucks are not the only vehicles that struggle with spare-tire storage. Side-by-sides and UTVs have much less cargo room to begin with, making it particularly inconvenient to simply place a full-size spare in the cargo bed.
A cage-mounted cargo rack can move the spare upward and rearward, keeping more of the cargo area open. This is especially useful on trail machines carrying tools, coolers, recovery equipment or camping gear.
Featured: Rough Country Polaris RZR Spare Tire Carrier / Cargo Rack
Rough Country Spare Tire Carrier Cargo Rack – Polaris RZR
Rough Country's Polaris RZR Spare Tire Carrier/Cargo Rack mounts directly to the UTV's tube cage rather than consuming the cargo bed. Its high-mount design is intended to maintain cargo space while positioning the spare at the rear of the machine.
- 28 x 11.5-inch rack platform.
- Mounts to the RZR tube cage.
- Uses 12mm x 1.5 wheel studs.
- Designed to carry tires up to 30 inches.
- High mounting position helps preserve cargo space.
- Black powder-coated finish.
- Includes tube clamps and four lug nuts.
This illustrates why spare-tire location should be chosen around the vehicle. A pickup can sacrifice some bed space, while a UTV may benefit more from moving the tire onto the cage.
View Polaris RZR Spare Tire CarrierSwing-Out Bumper Spare Tire Carriers
For serious off-road and overland builds, a rear aftermarket bumper with a swing-out tire carrier can be one of the most functional solutions.
Instead of attaching a heavy spare directly to a tailgate or occupying the pickup bed, the tire is supported by a structure tied into the bumper system. Opening the carrier swings the spare away from the tailgate or rear cargo door.
Why choose a swing-out carrier?
- Keeps the full-size spare outside the cargo area.
- Can support larger off-road tire packages when properly rated.
- Reduces dependence on the factory tailgate carrier.
- Can integrate with recovery, fuel, jack or cargo accessories depending on the bumper design.
Possible disadvantages
- Adds weight at the rear of the vehicle.
- Can make access to the cargo area a two-step process.
- May affect rear visibility.
- Carrier and bumper position can influence departure clearance.
- More complex systems may require more maintenance than a fixed bed mount.
How Spare Tire Location Affects Departure Angle
Departure angle describes the angle a vehicle can descend from an obstacle without the rear of the vehicle contacting the ground. Rear bumpers, hitches, spare tires and cargo accessories can all affect usable rear clearance.
A properly positioned vertical spare may stay well above the lowest point of the bumper, while a poorly positioned carrier can hang low enough to reduce clearance. Off-road owners should therefore evaluate the entire rear profile of the vehicle rather than focusing only on whether the spare physically fits.
33-, 35- and 37-Inch Spare Tire Considerations
| Tire Size | Typical Carrier Consideration | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| 33-inch | Often easier to accommodate, although fitment still depends on the vehicle and actual tire dimensions. | Factory location clearance, tire width, hitch clearance and wheel offset. |
| 35-inch | Frequently large enough to make factory under-bed or tailgate locations more challenging. | Carrier rating, tailgate load, wheel offset, visibility and bed-space alternatives. |
| 37-inch | Often better suited to a purpose-built bed carrier, reinforced rear carrier or bumper-mounted system. | Total tire/wheel mass, structural capacity, rear clearance, weight distribution and accessibility. |
Remember that the number printed on the sidewall is not a substitute for checking the manufacturer's actual dimensions. Two tires sold as the same nominal size can vary in measured diameter and section width.
Tire Weight Matters as Much as Diameter
Diameter is only one part of spare-tire fitment. Tire construction, load range, tread design and wheel construction all affect total weight.
A large mud-terrain tire on a heavy aftermarket wheel can place much more stress on a carrier than a smaller factory tire on an original wheel. That additional weight also affects how easily a person can lift the spare into a truck bed or swing it out from behind a vehicle.
When comparing off-road tires and truck wheels, calculate the spare as a complete wheel-and-tire assembly rather than considering the tire alone.
Why Wheel Offset Matters on a Spare Tire Carrier
Wheel offset determines where the mounting pad sits relative to the wheel's centreline. Changing offset changes how far the wheel and tire project inward or outward once installed on a carrier.
This is important because an oversized spare may contact the bed wall, carrier structure, tailgate, rear glass or body even when the tire diameter itself is technically within the carrier's limit.
An adjustable system such as the Rough Country Tacoma carrier can help accommodate differences in tire diameter and wheel offset, but the complete combination still needs to be checked for clearance.
Rear Visibility and Backup Camera Considerations
A large spare mounted vertically can block a substantial portion of the rear window. The effect depends on vehicle design, spare diameter and how high the carrier positions the tire.
Backup cameras become even more important when rear visibility is reduced. On vehicles where the camera is incorporated into the factory spare-tire carrier, removing or changing that carrier requires a solution for repositioning the camera.
Featured: Rough Country Jeep Wrangler JL Spare Tire Carrier Delete
Rough Country Spare Tire Carrier Delete with 8-Inch Black-Series LED
Not every Jeep owner wants to carry a rear-mounted spare. Rough Country's Jeep Wrangler JL Spare Tire Carrier Delete demonstrates the opposite approach: removing the factory rear spare and cleaning up the rear of the Jeep.
The kit replaces the spare-tire carrier with a cover plate while providing locations for the license plate, factory backup camera and third brake light. The configuration also incorporates an 8-inch Black-Series LED setup.
A spare delete can reduce the weight hanging from the rear tailgate and provide a cleaner rear profile, but owners should understand the obvious trade-off: the vehicle no longer has a full-size spare mounted there.
View Jeep Wrangler JL Spare Tire DeleteFull-Size Spare vs Tire-Repair Kit
Tire-repair equipment is still worth carrying even when a vehicle has a full-size spare. A plug kit and air compressor can sometimes repair a simple tread puncture without requiring a wheel change.
The limitation is that not every off-road tire failure is repairable on the trail. Sidewall cuts, torn beads, severe impact damage and some punctures can make the tire unusable. That is why vehicles travelling far from paved roads generally benefit from carrying a true replacement wheel and tire.
Why Matching Spare-Tire Diameter Matters on 4WD and AWD Vehicles
On many four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles, differences in tire circumference mean the tires rotate at different speeds. Significant mismatches can force differentials, transfer cases or AWD systems to compensate continuously.
For that reason, the safest approach is to use a spare that closely matches the rolling diameter of the tires currently installed on the vehicle and to follow the tolerance specified by the vehicle manufacturer.
This is especially important after upgrading from factory tires to 33-, 35- or 37-inch tires. Keeping a stock-diameter spare while installing substantially larger tires on the vehicle may defeat the purpose of carrying a full-size trail spare.
Tread wear also changes rolling diameter. Owners of AWD and full-time 4WD vehicles should consult the owner's manual for the manufacturer's specific requirements regarding tire size, circumference and allowable tread-depth variation.
Bed Mount vs Rear Mount vs Cargo Rack: Which Is Best?
| Carrier Type | Best For | Main Advantage | Main Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory Under-Bed | Stock and mildly modified pickups | Preserves cargo and rear visibility | Limited space for larger tires |
| Bed-Mounted | Lifted trucks on 33s, 35s, 37s or larger tires | Simple access and room for oversized spares | Consumes bed space |
| Factory Tailgate | Jeep/SUV builds within carrier capacity | Convenient and easy to access | Large tires can add tailgate stress |
| Reinforced Rear Carrier | Modified Jeeps and SUVs | Designed to better manage larger spare assemblies | Additional cost and weight |
| Swing-Out Bumper | Overland and serious off-road builds | Keeps spare outside cargo area and off the tailgate | Adds rear weight and complexity |
| Cage/Cargo Rack | UTVs and side-by-sides | Preserves limited cargo-bed space | Can affect rearward visibility and weight placement |
| Spare Delete | Builds where the owner intentionally removes the spare | Clean rear profile and reduced rear-mounted weight | No immediately available full-size spare |
What to Check Before Buying a Spare Tire Carrier
- Actual tire diameter: Verify the tire manufacturer's dimensions rather than relying exclusively on the nominal size.
- Tire width: Some carriers have a maximum supported width.
- Wheel bolt pattern: The wheel needs to physically attach to the carrier.
- Wheel offset and backspacing: These determine where the spare sits in relation to the carrier and vehicle.
- Total tire-and-wheel weight: Confirm the carrier is appropriate for the complete assembly.
- Tailgate capacity: Do not assume the factory carrier is designed for unlimited additional weight.
- Rear visibility: Consider both the rear window and backup-camera view.
- Third brake light: Ensure it remains visible and properly positioned.
- Backup camera: Determine whether relocation is required.
- License plate: Confirm the finished installation retains the required mounting location and visibility.
- Departure clearance: Check that the carrier does not unnecessarily reduce rear trail clearance.
- Cargo requirements: A bed-mounted carrier may be excellent for the trail but inconvenient for regular hauling.
Build the Complete Spare-Tire Setup
A spare-tire carrier works best when it is selected alongside the rest of the wheel-and-tire package. Explore related Off-Road Canada categories:
Frequently Asked Questions About Off-Road Spare Tire Carriers
Will a 35-inch spare tire fit in the factory location?
It depends on the vehicle. Some pickups and SUVs have enough space while others do not. Check clearance around the frame, hitch, bumper, suspension, exhaust and body before assuming a 35-inch spare will fit.
Can I put a 37-inch spare tire on a factory Jeep tailgate?
Do not assume that the factory carrier and hinges are rated for every 37-inch wheel-and-tire combination. Tire construction and wheel choice can produce large differences in total weight. Check the vehicle and carrier manufacturer's limits and use a reinforced carrier when required.
Is a bed-mounted spare tire carrier good for off-roading?
Yes. Bed-mounted carriers are popular because they provide easy access and can accommodate tire sizes that no longer fit underneath the vehicle. Their main disadvantage is the amount of bed space occupied by the spare.
Does wheel offset matter on a spare tire carrier?
Yes. Offset changes where the wheel sits relative to the mounting surface. A different offset can cause the tire to sit farther inward or outward and may affect clearance with the carrier, bed, tailgate or body.
Should my off-road spare be the same size as my other tires?
A matching rolling diameter is strongly preferred, particularly on 4WD and AWD vehicles. Differences in tire circumference create different wheel speeds and may place unnecessary stress on drivetrain components. Always follow the vehicle manufacturer's allowable tire-size and tread-depth tolerances.
Is a tire plug kit enough for off-roading?
A plug kit is useful for certain tread punctures but cannot solve every type of tire damage. Serious sidewall, bead or impact damage may require a complete replacement, which is why a full-size spare is valuable for remote off-road travel.
What is the best spare tire carrier for a lifted pickup?
It depends on how the truck is used. Bed-mounted carriers provide simple access and plenty of room for large tires. A rear bumper or swing-out carrier preserves the pickup bed but adds weight and complexity at the rear. The best option balances tire size, cargo requirements, accessibility and trail clearance.
Choosing the Right Spare Tire Carrier for Your Off-Road Build
There is no single spare-tire location that works best for every truck, Jeep or UTV. Factory under-bed storage is clean and convenient until an oversized tire no longer fits. Tailgate mounting provides quick access but requires careful attention to added tire-and-wheel weight. Bed-mounted carriers offer room for large tires at the cost of cargo capacity, while swing-out bumpers and rear racks move the spare outside the main storage area.
The most important point is to plan for the spare at the same time as your main wheel-and-tire upgrade. A truck running 35s or 37s should have a spare, wheel and carrier that work together rather than treating the fifth tire as an afterthought.
Explore spare tire carriers, off-road tires, truck wheels and off-road bumpers at Off-Road Canada to build a complete tire and recovery setup for your truck, Jeep, SUV or UTV.
