How to choose a UTV spare tire carrier
Where it mounts. Cage carriers clamp to the roll cage and put the spare above the cab, which keeps the whole cargo box free and, on the RZR PRO XP and Maverick X3 mounts, keeps the spare out of your mirror. Bed carriers stand the tire upright against one wall so the rest of the bed stays usable, which is how the Ranger and Defender options work. The hitch carrier for the General slides into the receiver. And the combo units from Tusk bolt a rear bumper, a flat cargo rack, and a spare carrier onto the back of a RZR as one piece.
Tire size. The cage mounts top out at 30 inches on the RZR XP 1000 and universal carriers and 32 inches on the Maverick X3 mount. The Ranger bed carrier and the Defender holder both take 26 to 33 inch tires. The Tusk rear-mounted carrier adjusts its height for different wheel and tire sizes rather than listing a range, and the Tusk combos are listed for a full size spare.
What you give up. A cage mount raises weight and can cost sight line, which is why the PRO XP and X3 mounts call out staying clear of the mirror. A bed mount costs one bed wall. A hitch mount uses the receiver you might want for a trailer.
Spare tire mounts by machine
Polaris RZR spare tire carriers
Eight of the 13 options fit a RZR. On the cage, the Spare Tire Carrier Mount for Polaris RZR XP 1000 & Turbo covers 2014 to 2023 machines with anti-slip tube clamps and a spare up to 30 inches for about $125, and the PRO XP mount covers 2020-2024 in black-coated heavy steel at about $250. Tusk has five: a basic carrier at about $170, a raised carrier that lifts the spare clear of the cargo bin with room for a scissor jack underneath at about $336, a rear-mounted carrier that sits low and adjusts for tire size at about $200, and two bumper, cargo rack, and spare carrier combos at about $460 and $730. Add the universal Roll Cage Spare Tire Carrier for Polaris RZR & More, which clamps to any 1.5 to 2 inch round cage with rubber-padded clamps and no drilling for about $130. The Polaris RZR hub has the rest.
Polaris Ranger and General
The Polaris Ranger spare tire mount here is the Bed-Mount Spare Tire Carrier for Polaris Ranger & More, about $250. It clips to the edge of the cargo bed with no drilling, adjusts for 26 to 33 inch tires, and is rubber isolated so it stays quiet. It is tagged for the General as well. General owners also have the Tusk Hitch Mounted Spare Tire Carrier for Polaris General at about $200, which slides into the receiver and uses an anti-rattle silent hitch pin to cut the clunk and sway. See the Polaris Ranger hub for the rest.
Can-Am Maverick and Defender
The Maverick X3 and X3 Max cage mount is about $191, holds up to a 32 inch spare, leaves clearance for a cooler underneath, and keeps the mirror and roof rack usable. The Maverick R, 2024 and newer, gets the biggest piece in the category: a rear spare tire carrier and cargo rack in powder-coated 15mm tubing with a 110 lb platform, MOLLE-style holes, three adjustable cargo bars, and gas-strut lift assist so you can get into the bed with a full load, about $827. The Defender spare tire holder is about $150, stands the spare upright against the cargo box wall, fits 26 to 33 inch tires, and mounts to the left, right, or front rail with no drilling or cutting.
What to know before you order
| Mount style | Machines | Tire size listed | Price |
|---|
| Roll cage clamp | RZR XP 1000 and Turbo, RZR PRO XP, Maverick X3, any 1.5 to 2 inch cage | Up to 30 or 32 inches | $125 to $250 |
| Bed wall or rail | Ranger, General, Defender | 26 to 33 inches | $150 to $250 |
| Hitch receiver | General | Not listed | About $200 |
| Rear carrier (Tusk) | RZR | Height adjustable, full size | $170 to $336 |
| Bumper, rack, and carrier combo | RZR, Maverick R | Full size spare | $460 to $830 |
Year ranges are listed on two of the cage mounts, 2014 to 2023 for the RZR XP 1000 and Turbo carrier and 2020-2024 for the PRO XP, so check yours before ordering. Most of the Kemimoto carriers install with no drilling, the universal cage carrier uses rubber-padded clamps, and the Tusk combos bolt on. Our trail riding guide covers the rest of the kit, and the parent mounts category has the gun racks and other holders.
From MaxtOffroad
For a Ranger, the bed-mount carrier is the one. No drilling, it clips to the bed edge, it adjusts from 26 to 33 inches so it does not care what tire you run, and it is rubber isolated, which is the difference between a spare you forget about and one that clunks over every washboard. It leaves the rest of the bed usable, and it is tagged for the General too.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best spare tire mount for a Polaris Ranger?
The Bed-Mount Spare Tire Carrier for Polaris Ranger & More is the one built for it. It clips to the cargo bed edge with no drilling, adjusts for 26 to 33 inch tires, is rubber isolated so it stays quiet, and holds the spare tight against one wall so the rest of the bed stays usable.
Will a cage-mounted spare block my mirror?
The RZR PRO XP mount holds the spare up high and out of your mirror view, the RZR XP 1000 and Turbo carrier keeps it clear of your sight line, and the Maverick X3 mount keeps your mirror and roof rack usable.
What size spare tire fits these carriers?
Up to 30 inches on the RZR XP 1000 and universal roll cage carriers, up to 32 inches on the Maverick X3 mount, and 26 to 33 inches on the Ranger bed carrier and Defender holder. The Tusk rear-mounted carrier adjusts its height for different wheel and tire sizes, and the Tusk combos and carriers are listed for a full size spare.
Do UTV spare tire carriers need drilling?
The Ranger bed carrier, the Defender holder, and the universal roll cage carrier all list no drilling. The Tusk combos are bolt-on units, and the Tusk rear-mounted carrier ships with all hardware. Check the product page for the cage mounts on the RZR XP 1000, PRO XP, and Maverick X3.
Can I still use the bed with a spare tire carrier?
Yes, that is the point of most of them. The cage mounts keep the spare out of the cargo box entirely, the Ranger and Defender carriers hold it against one wall, the Tusk raised carrier lifts it clear of the cargo bin with room for a scissor jack, and the General hitch carrier keeps the bed open.
