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Installation guide

Read the safety notes before installing or using your Tire Backpack.

Download the manual (PDF)Fit & specs

Specifications

Mounting
2" hitch receiver, pin & clip
Bolt pattern
110mm – 156mm
Stabilizer
1 anti-rattle clamp
Construction
Heavy duty welded steel
Weight
~20 lbs without tire

What's in the box

Take everything out and check it against this list before you start. Don't run the device with a part missing — replace it first.

Bracket assembly

  • 12" trailer hitch mounting bracket×1
  • 2Adjustable tire mounting plate with 1/2" x 2" hex bolt×1
  • 31/2" coupling nut×2
  • 41/2" x 2" bolt×1
  • 51/2" flat washer×1
  • 63/8" x 1 1/4" hex bolt×4
  • 73/8" flat washer×8
  • 83/8" lock washer×4
  • 93/8" nut×4
  • 105/8" hitch pin with clip×1

Hitch stabilizer

  • 11U-bolt×1
  • 12Plate×1
  • 13Washer×2
  • 14Lock washer×2
  • 15Nut×2
Exploded diagram of every part in the Tire Backpack kit, numbered 1 through 15
Figure 1 — contents

Assembly & installation

  1. 1

    Pick the height

    Hold both mounting plates against the back of the machine to choose the spare tire height.

    Diagram showing the two mounting plates sliding vertically to set tire height
    Figure 2 — height adjustment
  2. 2

    Bolt the plates together

    Use the four 3/8" bolts and nuts with 8 washers and 4 lock washers to join the two mounting plates at the height you just chose.

    Note · Space the bolts as far apart as the plates allow for the stiffest, most stable setup.

    Diagram of the 3/8 inch bolt, washers, lock washer and nut used to join the plates
    Figure 3 — plate hardware
  3. 3

    Drop it in the receiver

    Slide the hitch bar into the machine's 2" receiver. Drop the pin and clip through the hole that leaves enough room behind the machine for the Tire Backpack.

    Note · If the bar feels too long, cut it to length. Leave enough clearance to reach your storage compartments.

    Diagram of the carrier inserted into the vehicle hitch receiver with the pin called out
    Figure 4 — hitch bar and pin
    Diagram of the hitch bar showing how far it can be trimmed
    Figure 5 — bar length
  4. 4

    Mount the spare

    Lift the spare tire onto the pre-welded bolt on the Tire Backpack mount and let it seat flat.

    Diagram of a spare tire being slid onto the mounting bolt
    Figure 6 — tire onto the bolt
  5. 5

    Start the coupling nut

    Thread the coupling nut on by hand until the tire is held and can't shift. Hand tight only at this stage.

    Diagram of the half inch coupling nut being fitted at the center of the wheel
    Figure 7 — coupling nut
  6. 6

    Torque it down

    Fit the washer, then tighten the top and bottom coupling nuts to 75 ft-lbs of torque.

    Diagram showing the coupling nut, washer and bolt fitted at the wheel hub
    Figure 8 — washer and final torque
  7. 7

    Fit the hitch stabilizer (optional)

    Fit the supplied hitch stabilizer around the bar to reduce movement and noise.

    Diagram of the U-bolt hitch stabilizer clamped around the carrier bar
    Figure 9 — hitch stabilizer

Before you ride

  • A spare tire adds weight and length out back. Your machine will handle a little differently until you get the feel for it.
  • No 2" receiver yet? Your ATV/UTV dealer can recommend the right hitch receiver adapter for your machine.
  • Swap the supplied pin for a lockable pin if you want extra protection against theft.
  • Make sure the tools to actually change a tire are on board before you head out.
  • Bring a front tire size as your spare. A rear size fitted at the front may not fit in the wheel well.
  • In rare cases a machine's front and rear wheels use different bolt patterns — check before you buy a spare.

The device was designed for one job — carry a spare. Don't modify or alter it, and don't use it for anything else. Inspect the components periodically for loosened nuts and bolts, and repair or replace anything damaged or worn.

Inspect

Check the mount over before each use — loose nuts and bolts, cracked, bent or broken parts.

Store

Sitting for a while? Thin coat of lubricant on the steel to keep rust off. Wipe it off before you ride again.

Support

Parts missing or something not working right? Email info@tirebackpack.com and we'll sort it.

Take the manual with you

Instruction manual · v1.01 · 12 pages

Download the manual (PDF)