Do Pickup Trucks Have Spare Tires?

Picture this: you’re driving your pickup down a dark, winding country highway when all of a sudden, one of your tires starts to fall apart. 

What do you do now that you’re stuck in the middle of cornfields with no cell service?

You’re going to need a spare tire. 

Most pickup trucks have spare tires, which you can typically find under the bed. However, keep in mind that about one-third of new vehicles do not come with a spare tire, so you should ensure your truck has one before you drive it anywhere. 

In this article, I’ll discuss whether pickups have spares, where you can find your spare, and how to remove it. 

Then, I’ll explain what you can do if you don’t have a spare, whether it is illegal not to have a spare, and how much a spare tire costs.

Do Pickup Trucks Come With a Spare Tire?

When you bring your new pickup truck home from the dealership, you probably assume it has a spare tire. 

Unfortunately, though, about one-third of new cars do not come with a spare tire. 

And, of course, if you buy your truck used, there’s no telling whether the previous owner left you a spare.

Do New Ford F-Series Come With a Spare Tire?

Yes, all new Ford F-Series trucks should come with a spare tire.

Do New Ram Trucks Come With a Spare Tire?

Yes, your new Ram truck should come with a spare tire. 

Some trim packages will provide you with a full-sized spare, while others will give you a slightly smaller spare tire.

Do New Toyota Tundras Come With a Spare Tire?

Yes, all new Toyota Tundras should come with a temporary-use spare tire.

Do New Nissan Titans Come With a Spare Tire?

Yes, your Nissan Titan should come with a full-sized spare tire.

Where Is the Spare Tire on a Pickup Truck?

If you’re used to driving sedans, you know that the spare tire is almost always in the trunk. 

But of course, pickups don’t have trunks, so where in the world do they keep the spare tire?

You will almost always find a pickup truck’s spare tire underneath the bed, right in front of the rear bumper.

How Do I Remove My Pickup Truck’s Spare Tire?

Since the spare tires in pickup trucks are on the bottom of the vehicle, getting them off takes a bit of work. 

So, here I will detail the steps to remove your spare tire from your pickup truck. 

Yet, when reading these steps, remember that this is only a general guideline. 

Thus, the steps to remove your spare tire may be a little different. 

Steps to remove a spare tire from a pickup truck: 

1. Look for a small panel on the back of your truck near the license plate 
2. Once you have found it, pull it open to uncover the tire lock
3. With either your truck’s door key or a special tire key (depending on your truck), open the lock. 
4. Pull the key toward you to remove the lock from the truck 
5. Locate the rod in your tire changing kit (The kit will probably be under one of the seats)
6. Stick the rod into the hole where you just pulled out the lock
7. Once you feel the rod lock into place, turn it to the left until the tire lowers all the way to the ground. 
8. Lift up your tire and push the metal piece holding the tire to the truck through the middle of the tire to free your tire from the vehicle 

Your tire should now be detached from your truck. 

If you can’t get your tire off your vehicle using these instructions, you should check your truck’s owner’s manual for specific information on removing your spare tire. 

If you no longer have your owner’s manual, you will likely find an online version using the resources below. 

Owner’s manuals for the most popular North American pickup trucks: 

• Ford Owner’s Manuals (All Ford vehicles)
• Mopar Owner’s Manuals (All Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Fiat, Jeep, and Wagoneer vehicles)
• General Motors Owner’s Manuals (All Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles)
• Toyota Owner’s Manuals (To choose a different Toyota, select the arrow in the upper left-hand corner)
• Honda Owner’s Manuals 
• Nissan Owner’s Manuals

What Should I Do if I Get a Flat and Don’t Have a Spare Tire?

If you get a flat tire while driving but don’t have a spare, you have three options, which I will detail in the sections below.

Use a Flat Tire Repair Kit

Some new vehicles come with a flat tire repair kit, which you can use to patch your tire. 

If your truck has a flat tire repair kit, you will likely find it under one of the seats in your truck. 

Or, if you are able to walk to an auto parts supply store, Walmart, or Tractor Supply Company, you should be able to buy one. 

Then, once you have your flat tire repair kit, follow the instructions on the package to fix your tire.

Pump the Tire

As long as the tire is not too damaged, you should be able to pump it back up. 

Doing so will help you get to a place where you can buy a new tire. 

To pump your tire back up, you have two options. 

The first is to use a portable tire inflator if you have one. 

The second is to pump up your tire at a gas station that has a tire pump machine. 

However, you should not attempt to drive to a gas station if your tire is entirely out of air because driving on the rim can damage your truck.

Call Roadside Assistance or a Towing Company

If you can’t fix the tire yourself, you should call roadside assistance or a towing company. 

Generally, unless you have a subscription plan with one of these companies, calling them should be your last resort because these businesses tend to overcharge.

Is it Illegal Not to Have a Spare Tire in Your Truck?

It is not illegal in the US or Canada to drive without a spare tire in your truck. 

Thus, you will not receive a fine for not having one. 

However, it is always best practice to keep a spare tire in your truck so that you can easily deal with a flat.

How Much Does a Spare Tire Cost?

You will likely pay between $50 and $150 for a spare truck tire. 

The price of a spare mostly depends on size and quality.

How Much Does a Tire Repair Kit Cost?

Depending on the type of kit you buy, you can expect to pay between $10 and $50 for a flat tire repair kit. 

Thus, a repair kit is a good option if you don’t want to spend a bunch of money on a spare tire.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for the spare tire on your pickup truck, you will likely find it under the bed. 

And this spare can be an absolute lifesaver if you get a flat, so make sure you always have one on your truck.