6 Best Under-Trailer Spare Tire Carriers
Avoid farm trailer downtime with a secure spare. We review 6 of the most durable under-mount tire carriers that seasoned farmers trust for reliability.
There’s nothing quite like the sinking feeling of a trailer tire going flat miles from the barn, with a load of hay or a nervous heifer in the back. That’s when you realize your spare is either taking up precious space in your truck bed or, worse, was left behind to make room. A good under-trailer spare tire carrier isn’t a luxury; it’s a critical piece of equipment that keeps you moving when things go wrong.
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Securing Your Spare: A Farmer’s Carrier Guide
Mounting your spare tire under the trailer is one of the smartest moves you can make. It frees up valuable space in your truck or on the trailer deck itself. More importantly, it keeps the tire out of the sun’s damaging UV rays, which can degrade the rubber over time.
Before you buy anything, get under your trailer with a tape measure. You need to know your frame’s construction—is it an I-beam, C-channel, or a tube frame? Measure the distance between the frame rails, as that will determine what carrier fits. Also, consider ground clearance. A carrier that hangs too low on a livestock trailer might get hung up in a pasture, while a high-riding flatbed has more room to play with.
The main choice comes down to two styles: a simple bolt-on bracket or a winch-operated system. Bolt-on carriers are rugged, simple, and have fewer parts to fail, making them a reliable choice. Winch systems, on the other hand, are a lifesaver for anyone dealing with heavy 10-ply tires, as they do the heavy lifting for you. The right choice depends entirely on your trailer, your tires, and the condition of your back.
BAL Norco Hide-A-Spare for Universal Frame Fit
The BAL Norco carrier is the jack-of-all-trades in the trailer world. Its biggest strength is its incredible versatility. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all product in a bad way; it’s a truly adjustable system designed to work on a wide variety of trailer frames.
Its telescoping design allows it to expand or contract to fit different frame widths, from narrow utility trailers to wider flatbeds. This makes it a fantastic option if you have multiple trailers or if you’re working with a trailer that has non-standard frame spacing. The installation is straightforward, using bolts to clamp onto the frame, which means less drilling and head-scratching.
While it may not be the most overbuilt, heavy-duty option on the market, it’s more than tough enough for the average small farm trailer. For carrying a standard spare for a 16-foot stock trailer or a tandem-axle utility trailer, the BAL Norco provides a secure, adaptable solution that just plain works. Its flexibility is its greatest asset.
Extreme Max Carrier: Simple, Rugged Bolt-On Design
When you just need something that will hold the tire and never, ever let go, the Extreme Max carrier is your answer. This is the definition of a no-frills, heavy-duty bolt-on bracket. There are no cables, no cranks, just thick, powder-coated steel designed to endure.
The design is brilliantly simple. It typically consists of a heavy-gauge steel angle bracket that bolts directly to the trailer’s frame cross-member. You then lift the tire into place and secure it with a heavy-duty bolt and plate. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it system that can handle the bumps and jostles of a rough farm lane without issue.
The tradeoff for this rugged simplicity is a lack of adjustability. You have to be precise with your measurements before buying. Ensure the carrier is rated for your tire’s weight and that your bolt pattern matches. For the farmer who values ultimate reliability over convenience, and who doesn’t mind a little heavy lifting, this type of carrier is an unbeatable, long-term solution.
Buyers Products Carrier for Heavy-Duty Farm Use
Buyers Products is a name you see on commercial-grade equipment, and their spare tire carriers are built to that same standard. This is the carrier you get for your gooseneck flatbed that hauls the tractor or your heaviest livestock trailer. It’s built for work, not for show.
These carriers are typically designed for robust I-beam frames and are constructed from exceptionally thick steel with stout welds. They are engineered to handle the significant weight and size of 16-inch, 8-lug, load-range E or G tires without flexing, bending, or vibrating loose. The mounting hardware is just as substantial, ensuring a rock-solid connection to the trailer frame.
This is definitely not the carrier for your small landscape trailer. It’s overkill, both in weight and in price. But if your trailer is a core part of your farm’s logistics for moving heavy equipment, hay, or livestock, you can’t afford to use a light-duty carrier. Investing in a Buyers carrier is about matching the equipment to the intensity of the job.
Lippert Winch Carrier: Easing Heavy Tire Lifting
Let’s be honest: wrestling a muddy, 85-pound trailer tire from under a trailer is a miserable job. It’s awkward, dirty, and a great way to throw out your back. The Lippert Under-Chassis Spare Tire Winch completely solves this problem by taking the muscle out of the equation.
This system operates much like the spare tire winch on a modern pickup truck. A simple hand crank, usually operated with your trailer’s lug wrench, lowers the tire to the ground on a steel cable. To put it back, you simply place the tire on the lift bracket and crank it back up until it’s snug against the frame. It’s a mechanically simple and effective solution.
The added complexity of a cable and winch mechanism is a valid consideration; it’s another part that could potentially fail. However, for older farmers, anyone with a history of back trouble, or those running trailers with exceptionally heavy tires, the benefit is immense. It turns a potentially trip-ending struggle into a manageable task.
Erickson Retractable Carrier for Easy Tire Access
The Erickson Retractable Carrier offers a clever compromise between a simple fixed bracket and a full winch system. Its main goal is to improve access to the spare tire, reducing the need to crawl completely under the trailer. This is a huge advantage when you’re on soft ground or the side of a narrow road.
Instead of just bolting the tire flat against the underside, this carrier holds the tire in a cradle that can slide or pivot out from the side of the trailer. You simply release a latch, and the tire is presented to you in a much more accessible position. This makes it far easier to unbolt the tire and get it free.
This design is particularly useful on low-slung trailers where clearance is tight. It provides the security of a bolt-on system with a major boost in user-friendliness. For trailers that see a lot of use and have a higher probability of flats, the convenience offered by an Erickson retractable carrier can be a real time and frustration saver.
Titan Chain Carrier: A Simple, No-Frills Option
Sometimes, the simplest solution is the right one. The Titan Chain carrier is about as basic as it gets, often consisting of little more than a long, heavy-duty bolt, a couple of steel plates, and a short length of chain. It’s the minimalist approach to carrying a spare.
The appeal is its utter simplicity and low cost. There are no moving parts to seize up or break. You hoist the tire up, run the bolt through a wheel stud hole and a frame cross-member, and tighten it down. For a light-duty utility trailer that rarely leaves the pavement, it’s a perfectly adequate solution.
However, the simplicity comes with significant downsides. It’s the most physically demanding option, as you have to support the full weight of the tire while trying to thread the bolt and nut. The tire can also be prone to rattling if not cinched down extremely tight. Think of this as a functional, budget-friendly option, but not the most convenient or secure.
Installation Tips for Your Under-Trailer Carrier
The old carpenter’s rule applies here: measure twice, drill once. Before you even unbox the carrier, double-check your frame width, the location of cross-members, and your tire’s diameter and offset. Make sure the fully inflated spare will actually fit in the space you’ve chosen without interfering with axles or wiring.
Get the right tools for the job. Drilling through a steel trailer frame requires sharp, high-quality drill bits designed for metal. A powerful drill, a good set of sockets and wrenches, and some thread-locking compound for the bolts are essential. Having a friend help you lift and hold the carrier in place during installation will make the job ten times easier.
Finally, think strategically about placement. Don’t mount the carrier so low that it compromises your ground clearance on uneven pasture. At the same time, consider access. Can you realistically get to the tire and operate the carrier if the trailer is fully loaded with hay or equipment? Finding that sweet spot between clearance and accessibility is key to a successful installation.
Choosing the right spare tire carrier comes down to an honest assessment of your trailer, your typical loads, and your own physical abilities. The best carrier isn’t the fanciest one; it’s the one that fits your frame, secures your tire, and makes a bad day on the side of the road just a little bit easier. A little forethought now saves a world of trouble later.
