Riding With a Spare Tire
A flat tire can turn a North Dakota ride into a long wait, especially when you’re far from a trailhead, cell service, or a road your support vehicle can reach. Bringing a spare helps, but only if it fits your machine, is secured properly, and can be changed with the tools you have. This guide covers how to choose, carry, and use a spare tire for an ATV or UTV.
Decide what kind of spare your ride needs
A complete wheel or a replacement tire
For many rides, a complete spare wheel and tire is the simplest option. If a tire goes flat, you remove the damaged wheel and bolt on the spare, rather than trying to take a tire off its rim beside the trail. That can be a major advantage when you’re dealing with mud, wind, cold hands, or limited daylight.
The tradeoff is space and weight. A mounted wheel takes up more room than a tire alone, and the wheel’s bolt pattern, center opening, offset, and tire size all need to suit your machine. Check your owner’s manual or confirm fitment with a dealer before buying. A tire that looks close in size is not necessarily a safe substitute.
A loose replacement tire is more compact, but it is only useful if you can mount it. That usually means carrying the right tools and knowing how to break the bead and seat it again. Those tasks can be difficult in the field, and some tire-and-wheel combinations require equipment you may not have in a trail kit. For most casual riders, a complete mounted spare is more practical when the machine has room for one.
Match the spare to your machine and riding plans
Start by checking the tire markings on the tires already installed. Compare the size and construction, then confirm the spare is compatible with the ATV or UTV’s wheel and drivetrain. Using a significantly different tire size can affect handling and, on some machines, place unnecessary strain on drivetrain components. If your machine has four-wheel drive, follow the manufacturer’s guidance about matching tire sizes and replacing tires.
Next, think about where you ride and how far you travel from your trailer or truck. A short loop near a staging area may call for a compact repair kit and a plan to return slowly if the damage is minor. A longer outing through a remote area makes a mounted spare more reassuring, particularly if turning back would mean retracing a long route.
North Dakota rides can involve sharp debris, rough surfaces, mud, and long stretches between convenient stopping points. The right backup also depends on your machine. A UTV may have room for a full-size spare, while an ATV rider may need to balance carrying capacity against clearance and handling. If you’re planning routes in unfamiliar areas, tools such as onX Offroad can help you review mapped routes and plan where to stage. Check route details and local conditions before setting out rather than assuming every mapped line is open or suitable for your vehicle.
Consider the actual risk, not just the distance
A spare is useful, but it is not the only way to prepare. Look at the tire condition before the ride, including tread, visible cuts, bulges, and signs of damage around the sidewall. Check pressure with a gauge while the tires are cold, and use the pressure recommended for your machine and load. A tire that is underinflated for the terrain or overloaded may be more vulnerable to damage.
Also consider who is riding with you. A solo rider on a remote route has less help available than a group with several capable machines. A group can share tools and help with a wheel change, but that is not a substitute for each rider carrying essential supplies. Agree in advance on what the group will do if someone has a flat.
| Riding situation | Practical backup to consider | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Short ride near a staging area | Tire plug kit, inflator, and basic tools | A plug may not be safe or suitable for every puncture |
| Longer ride with room on the machine | Compatible mounted spare, jack or lift, and wheel tools | Adds weight and needs a secure mounting location |
| Remote ride with a group | Spare wheel plus shared recovery and repair gear | Help may be delayed if riders become separated |
| ATV with limited cargo space | Compact repair kit and carefully planned route | A severe tire failure may require outside recovery |
| UTV carrying passengers or cargo | Mounted spare matched to the machine | The spare and mount add load and occupy cargo space |
Pack the tools and supplies for a real trail-side repair
Build a kit around the tire you carry
A spare wheel alone does not guarantee you can change a tire. Before leaving, make sure you have the correct lug wrench or socket, a tool that fits your machine’s lug nuts, and a jack or lifting method suited to the vehicle and ground conditions. A small jack that works on a hard garage floor may sink or tip on soft ground. A broad, stable base can help, but it still needs to be used according to the machine and jack instructions.
Keep the tools together in a weather-resistant bag or box so they do not scatter around your cargo area. Check that the lug wrench actually fits before the ride. It is frustrating to discover that the socket is the wrong size when a wheel is already off. If your machine uses a locking lug nut or another special fastener, carry the matching key.
For a tire repair kit, include supplies that match the tire type and the repair method you know how to use. Many off-road tires are tubeless, but do not assume yours are. Confirm whether your tires use tubes, and choose repair supplies accordingly. A plug kit and inflator can be useful for a small puncture in a repairable area of a tubeless tire. They are not a cure for every cut, bead problem, or sidewall failure.
Bring an inflator and a way to check pressure
A portable compressor or another suitable inflator gives you a way to add air after a repair or wheel change. A pressure gauge matters too: guessing by feel is unreliable, and too much or too little pressure can affect traction and handling. Check the inflator before the trip, including its power connection and hose, so you know it works with your machine or backup power source.
For a longer outing, consider carrying a way to protect the machine while it is raised. Gloves can keep your hands cleaner and improve grip; a small ground pad can help keep tools out of mud. A flashlight or headlamp is useful if a repair takes longer than expected. Secure sharp tools and small repair supplies so they cannot shift into passengers, tires, or moving parts.
Do a practice run at home. On level ground, locate the lifting points described in the owner’s manual, remove a wheel, and install the spare. This is a good time to learn whether the spare mount blocks access to anything and whether your tools fit. A few minutes in the driveway can reveal problems that would otherwise surface in bad weather or at dusk.
Know when not to repair a tire
A plug is not appropriate for every puncture. Damage close to the sidewall, a large tear, a damaged bead, or a tire that has been driven while flat may not be safely repairable with a trail-side plug. If the damage is severe or you’re unsure, use the mounted spare if you have one, or arrange recovery. Continuing to ride on a compromised tire can make the damage worse and may make the machine harder to control.
A sealant product can sometimes help with small punctures, but it is not a substitute for checking the tire and following the product and tire-maker instructions. Sealant may not work with every tire setup, and it can complicate later repairs. If you carry it, understand how it is meant to be used and tell a repair shop that it is inside the tire.
Carry a spare without creating a new hazard
Choose a stable mounting location
A spare tire needs to be secured against bouncing, sliding, and shifting during a sudden stop or rollover. Use a mount designed for your machine when possible, and follow its installation instructions. If you’re using straps, inspect them for wear and make sure they are rated and positioned to hold the load securely. Recheck the spare after rough sections and at rest stops.
On a UTV, a rear cargo area may seem like the obvious place, but consider whether the spare blocks visibility, access to essential equipment, or the ability to carry other cargo. Keep the load low and stable when the machine’s layout allows it. On an ATV, the available mounting space is more limited, so check that the tire does not interfere with steering, suspension travel, rider movement, or visibility.
Avoid placing a spare where it could obstruct access to the fuel cap, exhaust, lights, or controls. A mount that seems convenient in the driveway may become awkward when the machine is loaded with passengers or gear. Do a walk-around with the machine fully packed, then check that every strap is tight and nothing can rub against a tire or hot component.
Account for weight and handling
A wheel and tire add weight, and the location of that weight can affect how the machine handles. Follow the manufacturer’s cargo and load guidance, including any limits for racks or storage areas. Don’t assume that because a rack physically holds the spare, the machine is within its recommended load capacity.
Balance the spare with the rest of your gear. A heavy load high on the machine can make it feel less stable, especially on uneven ground. Keep frequently needed items accessible without stacking them in a way that can shift. If a spare mount changes how the machine feels, reassess the setup before heading onto a demanding trail.
For longer rides, it helps to plan the route around your machine’s real capabilities and cargo setup. onX Offroad may help you review routes and save information for trip planning, but use it alongside posted signs, local notices, and land-manager information. A route that appears nearby on a map can still involve rough terrain, closed access, or conditions that are a poor match for a loaded machine.
Prepare for changing conditions in North Dakota
Weather and ground conditions can change a repair from manageable to miserable. Wind, rain, mud, and cold can make it harder to handle tools and keep parts clean. Pack a small ground cover or another way to keep the wheel hardware from disappearing into wet grass or soft soil. A headlamp is especially useful when a quick stop stretches into a repair after dark.
Before leaving home, check the machine, spare, straps, and repair kit as one system. Make sure the spare is inflated, the tools are present, and the route suits the vehicle and the riders. If you’re exploring places such as Pembina Gorge or the Roughrider OHV Trail, review the area’s current access information and route requirements. North Dakota Trail Closures After Rain and North Dakota Trail Status by App and Phone are useful topics to review when conditions may affect access.
If your plan includes a remote outing, tell someone where you expect to ride and when you plan to return. Carry a charged phone, but don’t rely on cell coverage everywhere. A downloaded map in onX Offroad can be a helpful planning aid where available, but keep a backup plan for navigation and emergencies. North Dakota Trail Etiquette Locals Expect is also worth reading before joining a busy trail or sharing a route with other riders.
Change a wheel safely and decide whether to continue
Stop in a safe place before working
When a tire loses air, ease off the throttle and stop where the machine is stable and out of the way of other riders. Avoid stopping on a blind corner, narrow trail section, or soft slope if you can safely move to firmer, flatter ground. Turn the machine off, keep passengers clear of the work area, and secure the vehicle according to the owner’s manual.
Before lifting the machine, check the ground beneath the jack. Soft soil, mud, or uneven rocks can make a lift unstable. Use the designated lifting points and a stable base, and never put any part of your body under a machine supported only by a jack. If you cannot position the vehicle safely, or the ground is too unstable, don’t force the repair. Call for help or use another safe recovery option.
Keep lug nuts and small parts together. Remove the damaged wheel, install the spare, and tighten the fasteners in the sequence and manner recommended by the manufacturer. Lower the machine carefully, then check the wheel before riding. If your manual specifies a tightening procedure or a follow-up check, follow it.
Check the spare before riding away
After installation, confirm the wheel sits correctly and the fasteners are secure. Check tire pressure if you have a gauge and inflator. Make sure the tire is not rubbing against the body, suspension, brake components, or nearby parts. Turn the wheel by hand if the machine is safely raised and you can do so without putting yourself at risk.
Ride slowly at first in a safe area and pay attention to vibration, pulling, unusual sounds, or changes in steering. Stop and inspect the wheel if anything feels wrong. A spare that is the wrong size, underinflated, or incorrectly fitted can create a second problem rather than solving the first.
A successful wheel change also does not mean the rest of the ride should continue as planned. Consider how far you are from your trailer, whether the remaining tires are in good condition, how much daylight remains, and whether you have another backup if the spare fails. On a remote route, heading back to the trailhead may be the wisest choice.
Make the return trip part of your plan
If the damaged tire is repairable and the spare is installed correctly, keep the pace conservative and avoid unnecessary rough sections. Don’t assume a temporary repair will hold through a long, demanding ride. Recheck the tire and wheel at a safe stop, and head for a place where you can inspect the machine more carefully.
If you used your only spare, avoid extending the outing just because the machine is moving again. A second flat without a backup could leave you stranded. Carrying a Tow Strap on the Prairie and First Aid on a Remote Loop cover other pieces of a practical remote-ride kit, while North Dakota Riding After Heavy Rain can help you think through conditions that may make a difficult recovery even harder.
After the trip, inspect the damaged tire and the spare mount. Replace used repair supplies, repair or replace the damaged tire as needed, and check that the wheel, lug nuts, and mounting hardware remain in good condition. If a strap loosened or a mount shifted, fix it before the next outing. A spare tire is most valuable when it is ready before the next flat happens.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
