Let's be honest: most folks throw a spare tire in the bed and call it good, but that's wasting precious cargo space on something you hope you never need. The problem gets worse when you're loaded up for a long adventure and there's barely room for the spare, let alone easy access to it when you're dealing with a flat tire in the middle of nowhere. Good spare tire mounts solve both problems by getting the spare out of your cargo area while keeping it accessible for quick changes. Hitch-mounted carriers put the spare right where you need it most—at the back of the machine where tire changes happen. When well-designed, they will swing out so you can get to that tire without having to brute force it so much (all while saving bed space!).
Spare tire mounting breaks down into a few basic approaches, each with its own advantages depending on how and where you ride. Receiver hitch mounts are probably the most popular because they're universal, relatively easy to install, and put the spare right where you want it for tire changes. A heavy-duty version is designed to take on bigger tires (and rougher conditions) without going all wobbly on you like some of the cheaper options will. “Universal” isn’t necessarily a dirty word when it comes to Kawasaki Teryx H2 tire carriers, FYI. Especially if you change machines, these can make your life much easier.
There’s no reason to compromise in this area; you shouldn’t have any problems after installing your Kawasaki Teryx H2 spare tire mount that you didn’t have before. Even a bit of vibration and/or bounce in your carrier can make your ride experience miserable, wearing on you over time and causing you to look over your shoulder way more than you should. The solution? Dampening features and seriously solid construction. Think about ground clearance as well; you don't want your spare tire mount dragging on rocks or getting caught on obstacles that you would normally clear. And remember that weight distribution matters, especially with rear-mounted carriers that can affect handling if you go overboard on spare tire size.
Hornet Outdoors is all about heavy-duty spare tire mounts that actually hold up to real world conditions.
Dragonfire Racing is the name to choose if you’re in the market for a super versatile universal spare tire carrier.
Great Day makes spare tire carriers that focus on practical functionality, getting your spare mounted securely without a bunch of unnecessary complexity.
Get serious spare tire mounting with thisKawasaki Teryx/Mule Universal Heavy Duty Receiver Hitch Spare Tire Mount Long by Hornet Outdoors, built to handle big tires and rough conditions without wobbling around.
Mount your spare universally with thisKawasaki Offroad Universal Spare Tire Carrier 1.75" Black by Dragonfire Racing, giving you flexible mounting options that work with different tube configurations.
Keep your spare in your truck bed with thisKawasaki Mule/KRX/Teryx In Truck Bed Tire Holder for 37" Tires by Titan Ramps, perfect for transport setups where you want the spare handy but not on the UTV.
Get standard receiver mounting with thisKawasaki Offroad 1-1/4" Receiver Hitch Spare Tire Mount by Hornet Outdoors, providing reliable spare tire mounting for standard hitch configurations.
Keep it simple and functional with thisKawasaki Mule/Teryx Spare Tire Carrier by Great Day, delivering straightforward spare tire mounting that gets the job done without breaking the bank.
What about handling?
With a rear mount, you’re adding some weight behind the axle, which may affect feel a bit, but the majority of riders adapt without issue.
What if I upgrade tire size?
If you’ve got a universal mount, check your specs to see what the end range is size-wise. You may be able to handle the jump in size.
Is it a pain to access my spare when I need it?
Good mounts make spare access pretty straightforward—you should be able to get the tire off without major gymnastics or unloading half your cargo. Swing-out designs are worth the extra money because they bring the spare right to you instead of making you reach around or under other stuff. Avoid mounts that require tools to release the spare unless you're really confident you'll always have those tools handy when you need them.