Obtaining a boat spare tire holder is one associated with those things you don't think about till you're sitting within the shoulder of a hot highway with a shredded tire and a boat that isn't heading anywhere. It's funny how we spend 1000s of dollars on the particular latest electronics, high-end rods, and the perfect prop, yet we all often overlook the particular one $30 item of metal that keeps the whole vacation from evolving into the nightmare. If you've ever had in order to dig through a crowded truck mattress or the storage compartments of your boat just to find the spare tire, a person know exactly exactly why possessing a dedicated spot for it upon the trailer framework is an overall game-changer.
The particular Reality of Trailering a Boat
Let's be truthful: boat trailers live a rough living. They get dunked in water—often salt water—and they sit down in the sun for years. Tires dry rot, bearings use out, and eventually, something is going to pop. When that happens, you would like your spare tire to become exactly where you expect this to be.
Without the solid boat spare tire holder , that will spare is probably rolling around at the back of your truck, getting in the particular way of your cooler and tackle boxes. Or even worse, you left it within the garage because it was "taking up an excessive amount of space. " A bracket fixes all of that. This keeps the tire high, dry, plus ready to go. Plus, it simply looks better. The trailer with a neatly mounted spare looks like the proprietor actually knows exactly what they're doing.
Choosing the Best Style for Your Trailer
Not all trailers are built exactly the same, so you can't just grab the particular first bracket a person see and believe it'll fit. You need to look at your frame. Most boat trailers use the square or rectangle-shaped steel tubing, but some older or even lighter ones may use a C-channel.
The Simple U-Bolt Mount
This is the simplest version associated with a boat spare tire holder you can find. It's basically the long U-bolt that loops within the trailers frame and pokes through the haul holes of your own wheel. It's cheap, it's effective, plus it's nearly impossible to break. Drawback? It doesn't provide much clearance. If you have large tires or a narrow frame, the particular tire might sit too low or rub against the boat hull.
Side-Frame Bolted Brackets
If you would like something a bit even more heavy-duty, these are usually the way to go. They usually include two plates that will sandwich the trailers frame. These are great because they frequently "offset" the tire, lifting it increased or pushing this further out from the frame. This is a large plus if you're concerned about the tire striking the ground upon a steep boat ramp or thumping into the part of your boat throughout a sharp switch.
Materials Matter Greater than You Think
Since we're talking about vessels, we're talking about water. Even in case you only boat in fresh drinking water, rust is the particular enemy. You've got three main choices when it arrives to the finish associated with your boat spare tire holder , plus picking the wrong one will prospect to a facepalm moment in about two years.
Galvanized steel will be the gold standard intended for boaters. It's not the prettiest—it offers that dull, gray, mottled look—but it's incredibly resistant to corrosion. If you're a saltwater angler, don't even look at whatever else. Zinc-plated holders are alright for strictly freshwater use, but they have a tendency to start pitting and rusting considerably faster.
Then there's powder-coated metal. It looks great, especially if you have an extravagant painted trailer to match your bass boat. Yet here's the catch: the second you tighten those bolts, you may crack the particular powder coating. As soon as water gets below that shell, the particular steel will rust from the inside out, and you won't even know it until the particular bracket snaps. When you go this particular route, just maintain an eye upon it and perhaps contact up any chips with some squirt paint.
Place, Location, Location
To bolt your boat spare tire holder is just as essential as which one you purchase. Most individuals instinctively go for the particular tongue from the trailers, near the jack port. This is usually a great spot because it maintains the forward and doesn't interfere with the boat.
However, you need to create sure you have enough room in order to crank your jack handle. There's nothing more annoying compared to installing a brand-new mount only to realize you can't really hitch up your boat because the tire is in the particular way from the handle's rotation.
Another thing to think about is your turning radius. If you mount the tire as well far forward on the tongue, it might hit the bumper of your truck when you're backing in to a tight entrance. I usually recommend mocking up with several bungee cords very first just to observe how it looks plus feels before a person commit to tightening almost everything down.
Don't Forget About Security
It's a depressing reality, but spare tires get thieved. An excellent aluminum edge having a brand-new trailer tire is a good easy target from a crowded boat ramp parking great deal while you're out on the water with regard to eight hours.
When a person install your boat spare tire holder , think about how you're going in order to lock it. Some mounts have the hole specifically designed regarding a padlock. When yours doesn't, an easy heavy-duty cable locking mechanism looped through the wheel and about the trailer frame usually does the trick. It won't quit a professional with a set of bolt cutters, but it'll definitely stop the "crime of opportunity" guys that are just searching for a quick score.
Several Pro-Tips for Set up
Installing a boat spare tire holder is a pretty straightforward DIY job, but there are some little tricks that make it go smoother.
- Check your lug nuts: Most owners come with their personal nuts to secure the particular tire. Make certain these people match the line of your real trailer lugs. When they don't, you'll have to carry two various sized wrenches. That's a headache you don't need when you're trying to change a tire within the rain.
- Anti-seize is your friend: Since these brackets fork out a lot of time getting moist, use some anti-seize lubricant on the threads. If a person ever actually require to consider that spare off, you'll become glad you didn't have to fight a rusted-on nut.
- Check the particular pressure: This has nothing at all to do with the holder itself, but it's the particular most common mistake. People mount their spare and then forget about this for three many years. Then, when they finally need it, the particular tire is flat. Since the holder makes the tire so accessible, examine the air pressure every time you check your primary tires.
Precisely why It's Worth the Effort
At the end of the day, the boat spare tire holder is all about comfort. Fishing and boating are supposed to be about calming and getting far from the stress associated with daily life. The last thing you desire is perfect for that stress to follow you on to the highway in the form associated with a mechanical failure.
Getting that spare mounted securely means one particular less thing in order to worry about. You know it's there, you know it's secure, and also you know you have the various tools to change it if things go sideways. It's a small investment that pays off the very first time you listen to that dreaded thump-thump-thump of a level tire behind a person.
So, take an appearance at your truck this weekend. If your spare happens to be sitting in a corner of your garage or getting up valuable space on the floor in your boat, do yourself a favor and get a holder. It's the simple Saturday early morning project that makes every future journey to the lake just a small bit smoother. You'll thank yourself later on when you're typically the guy who's back on the highway in 10 minutes while everybody else is still waiting for a tow line truck.