Best Spare Tire Covers; Sleek, Smart, and Practical | Autance

If your spare tire sits on the exterior of your vehicle, then it is open to the elements and at risk from damage from dirt, debris, and changes in weather conditions. A damaged spare tire is of little use, and while it sits on your vehicle the damage is visible and affects the overall aesthetic of the vehicle. This is important when it comes to considering the resale value of the vehicle. Investing in a spare tire cover is the best way to avoid damage to your spare tire and to protect the value of your vehicle. However, with such a wide range of covers available, it can be difficult to know where to start. Our panel of automotive experts has compiled a list of the best spare tire covers to help point you in the right direction.

These recommendations are designed to make your automotive needs simpler. We made this list identifying the industry standard, compiling detailed information, and aiming to help you save on these products without compromising quality. When it comes to your ride, you want parts that can keep up with your demands; tire covers that can make your life easier.  So, sit back and scroll through these recommendations as we pave the way to the ultimate new tire covers.

The Best Spare Tire Covers

Best Spare Tire Covers Buying Guide & FAQ

The main purpose of a spare tire cover is to protect it from damage; however, the right spare tire cover can actually enhance the visual appeal of your vehicle as well. Acting as partners, your tire cover helps avoid any problem with debris while adding aesthetic value. It is the ideal way to add a personal touch to your vehicle and make it stand out from other similar makes and models. In this section of the buying guide, we explore what you should look for when buying a spare tire cover for your vehicle, what the benefits are of having such a cover, and the different types of spare tire covers that are available. We also offer some tips on using a spare tire cover and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about spare tire covers.

What to Look for When Buying Spare Tire Covers

While you want your spare tire cover to look good, the color and design need to be secondary to its function and durability. It doesn’t matter how good it looks if the stitching splits as you install it or the wind blows it away the first time that you go for a drive.

The most important thing when looking at products, especially tire covers, is to gather all the information you can. This is even more true with new models. 2020 saw a lot of development in textile science, helping new tire covers work better and last longer. You’ll want to check out all the new features, and the only problem is the risk of missing out on something new and exciting which will work better. With this in mind, these are the key things to look for when buying spare tire covers:

Durable Materials

Your spare tire cover is going to take a lot of punishment. It will be open to the elements in all weathers. It needs to be made of a strong material that will withstand temperature changes, objects striking it, and being caught by the wind. Heavy-duty vinyl is a good choice as it meets all these requirements and has the added benefit of being water resistant.

Lasting ability is something that’s important to account for. As we all know, broken tire covers are a problem.  It’s a huge reason people order new tire covers is due to damage. In 2020, the most common material is vinyl, but it helps to know that it needs to be thick enough so you don’t get a problem with scratches or punctures with tire cover products.

Strong Stitching

Once in place on your spare tire the cover will be under continual strain. It doesn’t matter how durable the material is if the stitching is of inferior quality. The stitching that holds the faceplate to the sides and that creates the hem needs to be created from a strong thread that can withstand temperature changes without fraying or snapping. Look for straight stitching that is not too close to the edge of the material. Check for fraying, dropped, or missing stitches that may cause weak points to appear.

Of the categories to assess in your search, it’s possibly most important to know to look for tough, proper stitching. In order for the products to keep a good hold, without letting your tire roll free, the stitches need to be reinforced. Textile connoisseurs know that it does a service to fortify a hem with an extra layer of stitches. While, in 2020, most products are mass manufactured, it doesn’t mean that quality stitching fell off the products menu.

Waterproofing

As well as the material itself being water resistant, you need a design that is waterproof. This means checking edges and joins for potential sites where water could enter. Any break in this part would leave moisture free to make its way in. Also, check the hem and space around the hem. Can water enter here or create pools anywhere around the tire?

Among the categories you’ll encounter in your search for tire covers, water-resistance is critical. It’ll certainly make you a happy customer. Have you ever tried to pick up a tire with water in it? The water accounts for most of the weight. The good news is that, in 2020, most of the tire covers you can order have waterproof features on the menu. So long as you keep it in like-new condition (with proper maintenance), new tire covers that are waterproof will be long-lasting products and carry you far beyond 2020.

Fit

The fit of the tire cover is one of the most important aspects to check. If the tire cover is too small, it simply won’t fit. However, if you choose one that is too big, you risk it not fitting correctly causing spaces where water can enter and pool, resulting in damp and mold build-up. More significantly, if the cover is too big, it could easily be blown off or fall off while you are driving. This risks the cover becoming a hazard for you and other road users.

Tire covers are pretty easy to maintain and don’t tend to lose their fit easily. Choose products that, if they are soft, state on the features menu that they won’t lose their elastic hold. To become a satisfied customer long-term, opt for products that tout durability as tire covers should. 

Installation

Look for a cover that is easy to fit and remove. Most have elasticized hems that make them easy to position over your spare tire. They may then have clips or ties that help to keep them in place. Check the quality, materials, and durability of any additional parts as a flaw here could easily make the whole cover fail.

When looking at the menu of features for the tire covers in question, be sure that it specifically states ‘no tools required’. If not, to ensure that you’re a happy customer, stick to products that come with installation gear. Tire covers that come with all the setup equipment tend to result in higher customer satisfaction.

Benefits of a Spare Tire Cover

The right spare tire cover will offer the following benefits. A happy customer is one whose search is easy because the tire covers have a full menu of features. Don’t sell yourself short, opt for products that have all the advantages you deserve.

Weather Protection

Continuous exposure to the elements is not good for your spare tire. Temperature changes, damp, and exposure to UV rays will wear away at the rubber. Over time this can cause issues with the composition and stability of your tire, leaving you with a spare tire that is at best useless and at worse dangerous. A tire cover protects your tire from these issues and protects it from uneven discoloration.

Perhaps the key piece of information in your search is whether the tire covers in question can resist the weather. The menu of features usually includes water and dust-proofing since these traits are essential to customer satisfaction. Still, it helps to search for products that are fitting for your environment. Arid desert is different from muddy backroads, and the tire covers should accommodate that. 

Dirt and Debris Protection

Of course mud, dust, and dirt wash off, but it all adds to your upkeep time. Having a spare tire that is covered in mud also increases the risk of mold and bacteria growth that could affect the tires usefulness and performance over time. Some other dirt, such as bird droppings can also carry elements that scratch your wheel and can even carry diseases. This is much easier to deal with on a flat washable surface, rather than on your spare wheel, just as you need to change the tire on your vehicle.

It’s common for a tire cover customer to search out health and safety information. Sure, these products don’t usually showcase on the menu of features. However, it doesn’t mean the trait isn’t there. So long as the tire cover makes it easy for the customer to clean it off with products they have on hand, it should offer sufficient protection.

Security

Spare tires, particularly for some vehicles, such as Jeep spare tires are not cheap to replace. Given this, easily identifiable tires are often the target of opportunistic thieves. Buying Jeep spare tire covers helps to protect your spare wheel. Not only does it make it a little less obvious, but it means it will take more time and effort for the wheel to be removed. This can be enough to deter many thieves.

If you are unsure that the cover itself will be enough, then you can get an additional locking system to complement the tire cover. That said, most thieves do a quick search and will be deterred by tire covers. At the very least, these products can encourage them to move along. The more secure things look, the less likely someone will be to think it’s free for the taking. 

Rodent Protection

There are a wide range of little furry critters that are always on the lookout for somewhere warm and dry to sleep, something to scratch at, or even something to gnaw. Your spare tire fits all these criteria. However, using a tire cover can help block access to your tire and protect is from sharp teeth and claws.

If you’ve ever handled a pest issue, it’s helpful information that, if your tire is sealed, mice and rats can’t nest in it. A happy tire covers customers is one that doesn’t have to fish a nest out of their spare tire. Check the specs for information on the textile density during your search. The thicker it is, the less likely you will have to deal with rodents running free.

Humidity

This can cause damage to your spare tire and potentially to your vehicle as well. Spare wheel covers are a great way to reduce humidity build-up. Most new products have moisture-control features on their menu of offerings. This lets you drive comfortably in all environments. 

Customization

Adding a spare tire cover to your vehicle allows you to add a personal touch to the exterior design of your vehicle. Whether you choose plain Jeep tire covers or go for one with a unique design, it makes a personal statement. The search for new tire covers is more than looking for function, it’s about your personal style (and every customer is different). In 2020, plain tire covers were a popular choice from the menu. Perhaps it’s because it leaves you free to search out your own style and airbrush something onto it. 

Different Types of Spare Tire Covers

There are two types of new spare tire covers; hard and soft. As the name suggests the difference is in the type of materials that are used in their construction.

Hard Covers

These are created from rigid materials such as stainless steel or molded plastic; often hard covers use a combination of both. A hard cover consists of a face plate and a ring. The ring sits around the tire, while the faceplate covers the front. The ring locks the faceplate in place, keeping the whole thing secure and providing full tire coverage.

Hard spare tire covers tend to last longer and provide better resistance to mold and mildew. They also offer better security than soft covers. However, they are also much more expensive than soft covers; up to twice the price in most cases. Hard covers are also much more difficult to fit, and you may find that you need to modify your tire mount to ensure the cover fits correctly.

While these tire covers can be harder products to install, they tend to result in happy customers. In the search for quality tire covers, it’s tricky to find new models that check all the boxes. However, for durability and shear strength, this type was one of the more popular orders in 2020.

Soft Covers

Generally made from high-quality vinyl, soft covers wrap around your tire and are held in place by an elasticized hem or cord. Most higher end soft covers also have a felt or cotton interior that provides extra protection from scratches and other damage.

Soft covers are generally much cheaper and are easier to fit. However, they are likely to need replacing more often than a hard cover and offer less security. New vinyl textiles tend to be better at balancing the two features, leaving you free to get the best of both tire covers features.

Tips for Using a Spare Tire Cover

The most important thing to remember when using a spare tire cover is to make sure you get the right size. As your search will showcase, these products are almost always true to size, especially the top new options from 2020. Most spare tire covers are sized by the diameter of wheel that they fit. Remember when measuring the diameter, you need to do this from the outside edge of the tire, unless the cover states otherwise.

The features menu for new tire covers is pretty comprehensive in 2020. Thankfully, this means less upkeep. Check your spare tire cover regularly, at least once a month to look for mildew or moisture build-up. Also, check for wear and tear and remember to replace the cover at the first signs that it is beginning to fail.

Maintain your tire cover correctly by following the manufacturer’s instructions in terms of washing and general care. It might take a couple of extra minutes to service tire cover products, but it’s worth the investment. Plus, it has such a limited menu of requirements that, in order to care for it, all you need to do is wash it and let it dry.

Best Spare Tire Covers FAQ:

Our Top Pick

Our top pick is the easy to fit Classic Accessories OverDrive Universal Fit Spare Tire Cover. It features an elasticized back hem that provides a secure fit over your spare tire. The cover is created from a durable, water-repellent, wipe-clean material that offers protection from the elements, including from UV damage. It also protects your tire from dust, dirt, and other debris that can be thrown up from the road surface while you are driving. This helpful service results in many happy customers. The interior of the cover is soft and non-scratch to ensure that it does not damage the tire during use or when being placed over the tire.

Source:

1. How to Paint on Vinyl Tire Covers – It Still Runs