Continental kits for cars may be long out of fashion, but there’s something rugged and authentic about a spare tire on the back of an SUV or truck. After a while, though, having that spare tire and wheel out in plain view begins to have its drawbacks. The tire’s going to be one of the first places dirt will show. Ultraviolet sun damage will affect your spare in ways the four tires on the ground, protected by the wheel wells, won’t suffer. And that spare tire and wheel are a temptation for a thief.
Spare tire covers immediately dress up the back of your vehicle, protect your spare from long-term weather and UV damage and they’ll at least slow a thief down enough to possibly make them move on to an easier target. Prices and sizes (even on those claiming to be universal) vary and so do materials. Then there’s design. Everything you ever imagined on a bumper sticker can be found on “custom” tire covers. We stuck to plain black or white in our review, some of which will allow you to customize to your own taste.
- Boomerang Rigid : Best Overall Spare Tire Cover
- Moonet Universal : Best Leather Spare Tire Cover
- Classic Accessories Overdrive
- ADCO Vinyl : Best Vinyl Spare Tire Cover
- Leader Accessories Universal : Best Bargain Spare Tire Cover
The Boomerang Rigid series of spare tire covers is one of the most rugged and durable on the market. It’s weatherproof, can be repainted or decorated and has an optional lock kit to increase the security of your spare.
- Weatherproof
- Can be repainted or decorated
- Optional lock kit
- Expensive compared to other covers
- Not available for all makes/models
- Can be damaged in some mechanical car washes
The Moonet Universal has “universal” in its name but there are actually seven different sizes of this spare tire cover. It’s easy to install thanks to an elastic hem that wraps tightly around the tire, plus its leather exterior is washable.
- Available in seven sizes
- Washable
- Easy installation
- Reports of elastic loosening over time
- Some users say UV rays damage the cover
- Prone to tearing
The Classic Accessories Overdrive spare tire cover is another universal-fit model that comes in four different sizes that lean larger vehicles like vans and RVs. It’s easy to install, water-repellent and has a three-year warranty.
- Easy to install
- Water-repellent
- Three-year warranty
- Size chart is on packaging
- Some users say it can be loosened or come off in some car washes
- Prone to tearing
The ADCO Vinyl Tire Cover comes in two colors (white or black) and 10 sizes. It slips on easily and is durable. While vinyl is easy to clean, you’ll be cleaning white vinyl quite often. But sometimes style is the whole point of a spare tire cover.
- Easy installation
- Wipes clean
- Durable
- Reports of UV damage to cover
- Some users say inner cloth traps moisture against the spare wheel
- Prone to tearing
The Leader Accessories Universal Spare Tire Cover is a basic cover—cotton on the inside, vinyl on the outside—that comes in one color (black) and five sizes. It’s waterproof and wipes clean, but the strongest selling point is that it is extremely cheap compared to competitors.
- Waterproof
- Wipes clean
- Low price
- Some users report size inaccuracies
- Concerns about secure fit
- Owners worry about long-term durability
METHODOLOGY
In order to determine the best spare tire covers we considered the products most accessible to the widest swath of consumers in the U.S., which also includes performance, price and value. We also considered a broad range of end-user ratings and evaluations by multiple testers.