{"id":187722,"date":"2026-04-08T22:20:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T05:20:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/?p=187722"},"modified":"2026-04-08T22:20:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T05:20:21","slug":"how-to-install-a-spare-tire-carrier-tips-for-truck-and-suv-owners-quickref","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-install-a-spare-tire-carrier-tips-for-truck-and-suv-owners-quickref\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Install a Spare Tire Carrier: Tips for Truck and SUV Owners"},"content":{"rendered":"\nReading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

Installing a spare tire carrier<\/a> is one of the more useful upgrades a truck or SUV owner can make. It frees up interior cargo space, lets you carry a full-size spare that may not fit the factory location, and keeps the tire within easy reach when you actually need it. The job is straightforward once the right carrier is matched to the vehicle and the common pitfalls are understood upfront.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Install a Spare Tire Carrier: The Core Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The process varies by carrier style, but the same general sequence applies to most hitch-mount and bolt-on rear applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Park on a level surface and set the parking brake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Identify the mounting location. For a hitch-mount carrier, slide the receiver tube into the 2-inch Class III hitch opening. For a bumper-bolt or door-mount carrier, locate the factory bolt holes or mark new drill points using the bracket as a template.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. If drilling is required, start with pilot holes to keep the bit from wandering. Apply rust-inhibiting primer to all bare metal before hardware goes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Install the mounting brackets or receiver tube, leaving fasteners snug but not fully torqued yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Attach the swing arm or carrier frame to the brackets. Line up all holes before tightening any single bolt completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Once alignment looks good, torque all fasteners to the manufacturer’s spec. In the absence of a published spec, 40 to 60 ft-lbs is a reasonable range for M8 to M10 grade-8 hardware on most carriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Mount the spare wheel to the tire plate. Start lug nuts by hand, then tighten in a star pattern. Spare tire lug nuts on a carrier plate do not require the same torque as road wheels. Most setups call for 40 to 60 ft-lbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Test the swing arm or latch mechanism with the tire fully mounted before driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Re-torque all bolts after the first 50 to 100 miles. Vibration settles hardware, especially on rough pavement or gravel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    10. One thing many people forget: relocate the license plate and light during installation. Running an unlit plate is a ticketable offense in most states, and catching it after the fact means pulling hardware back out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Picking the Right Carrier Type<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Three main styles exist for trucks, SUVs, and vans, and they are not interchangeable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Hitch-mount Swing-out Carrier<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The hitch-mount swing-out slides into a 2-inch Class III receiver and pivots open for full rear access. It is removable, relatively affordable, and works on a wide range of vehicles. The catch is tongue weight. Most mid-size vehicle hitches are rated between 350 and 500 lbs of static tongue weight, and a tire and wheel assembly can easily run 60 to 90 lbs before adding any accessories. Keep an eye on that number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bumper-integrated Swing-out Carrier<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A bumper-integrated swing-out replaces the factory rear bumper with a unit that has a built-in pivot and latch. It is more stable at highway speed and on rough terrain, but it is expensive and entirely vehicle-specific. Installation quality matters more here because misalignment causes persistent rattle and accelerates latch wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Door-mount or Van Rear-door Carrier<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The door-mount or van rear-door carrier bolts directly to the rear door. Use a backing plate on the inside of the door to distribute weight, and put foam between the bracket and the door skin to prevent metal-on-metal contact that leads to rust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Skip the roof-basket spare setup. Mounting a 60 to 90 lb tire overhead raises the center of gravity, eats into parking structure clearance, and turns every tire swap into a lifting exercise. It is consistently the most regretted choice among van builders and overlanders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fitment Checks to Make Before Ordering<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    This is where most buyers waste money. A carrier that does not match the vehicle’s geometry either will not install cleanly or creates clearance problems that only appear after delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Run through this list before purchasing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n