If you drive a Toyota RAV4 off the pavement, one question tends to surface fast: where is the spare tire, and is there even one back there? The honest answer is that it depends on your year and trim, and for adventure owners, the factory setup is rarely enough. Here is where the RAV4 keeps its spare, why so many overland builds move to a full-size external spare, and how to finish the job with a universal, size-based cover.
Where the RAV4 keeps its spare from the factory
On 2013 and newer RAV4s, the spare lives under the rear cargo floor. Lift the fabric pull handle on the cargo deck, and you will find either a spare or a repair kit sitting in the well below. According to RAV4Resource's spare tire guide, most of these newer models carry a temporary compact spare rather than a full-size matching tire, in sizes like T165/80R17.
Here is the catch for anyone shopping a hybrid. Many RAV4 Hybrid model years ship with a tire repair kit and an inflator instead of a spare, in part because hybrid battery components crowd the rear floor. Coverage has shifted over the years, and some newer model years have brought a spare back, so treat this as a "check your own vehicle" situation rather than a fixed rule. As this owner-focused overview notes, the repair kit is usually tucked in a compartment under the cargo floor near the hybrid components. The safest move is simple: open the hatch, lift the floor, and see exactly what you have before you plan a trip.
Why adventure owners run a full-size external spare
A compact temporary spare is fine for a slow limp to the nearest tire shop on pavement. On a forest road, a washboard two-track, or a remote trailhead hours from help, it is a weak link. Three reasons overland RAV4 owners move to a full-size spare:
- It actually matches your tires. A full-size spare shares the tread, diameter, and grip of your other four, so an all-wheel-drive RAV4 stays balanced instead of fighting a mismatched mini spare.
- No speed or distance limits. Temporary spares are speed-rated low and meant for short distances. A real spare gets you home from far out.
- A repair kit cannot fix a sidewall. Sealant handles a small tread puncture. It does nothing for a slashed sidewall or a bead torn off the rim on a rock, which is exactly the kind of damage trails produce.
The problem is space. A full-size tire will not fit the shallow factory well under the cargo floor, and stacking it inside the cabin eats the room you need for gear. That is why the spare goes outside.
External spare carrier options for the RAV4
There are three common ways to carry a full-size spare on a RAV4, and they are not equal.
Hitch-mounted swing-out or drop-down carrier (the popular choice). Purpose-built carriers for the RAV4 from brands like Rigid Armor and Offbeat Overland slide into a 2-inch trailer hitch receiver and hold the tire at the rear bumper. The important detail: you need a trailer hitch installed first, since the carrier mounts to the receiver. The swing-out or drop-down action is what lets you clear the rear liftgate so you can still open the hatch and reach your cargo. Many of these carriers add mounting points for a shovel, fuel can, or table too.
Roof mount (works, with trade-offs). You can strap a spare to a roof rack, but a full-size tire is heavy and awkward up high. It raises your center of gravity, hurts fuel economy, adds wind noise, and turns every mount and dismount into an overhead lift. Most owners who try it end up moving the tire to the rear.
Interior stacking (the fallback). Laying the spare flat in the cargo area is free, but it swallows the space that makes a RAV4 useful for a trip and buries everything under a dirty tire. Fine in a pinch, poor as a permanent plan.
For most RAV4 overland builds, the hitch-mounted swing-out carrier wins: the weight rides low at the rear, cargo access stays intact, and the tire is easy to drop when you need it.
Cover it with a universal, size-based cover
Once that spare is hanging off the back, it is exposed to constant sun, road grime, and weather, and a bare tire on the rear of your rig looks unfinished. A cover protects the rubber from UV and dirt and gives the back of your RAV4 a clean, finished look that shows off your personality on the trail.
Our spare tire covers are universal and size-based, not vehicle-specific. They fit any externally mounted spare, whether it is on a hitch carrier, a swing-out, or a rear door, as long as you match the cover size to your tire. There is nothing to bolt on: the drawstring back cinches snug with no tools. To size it right, measure your mounted tire's overall diameter and pick the matching size from our guide.
You can browse the full lineup in the custom tire covers collection, and use the tire cover size guide to match your exact tire before you order. Covers are made to order and ship within 10 to 14 business days, and orders over $59.99 ship free.
Related reading
- Overland spare tire mounting and covers
- Spare tire covers for every adventure setup
- How to measure and size a spare tire cover
- Shop all custom spare tire covers
Frequently asked questions
Does the Toyota RAV4 come with a spare tire?
It depends on the year and the powertrain. Most gas RAV4s from roughly 2013 to 2024 carry a temporary compact spare stored under the rear cargo floor. Many RAV4 Hybrid model years ship with a tire repair kit and inflator instead of a spare, though some newer model years have brought the spare back. The only reliable way to know what your vehicle has is to lift the rear cargo floor and look.
Where is the spare tire located on a RAV4?
On 2013 and newer RAV4s, the spare is hidden underneath the rear cargo area. Lift the fabric handle on the cargo floor, and the tire, or a repair kit if your trim has no spare, sits in the well below. Much older RAV4s from the 1990s and 2000s carried the spare on the outside of the rear swing door under a cover.
Do RAV4 Hybrids have a spare tire?
Often not. Many RAV4 Hybrid model years replace the spare with a tire repair kit and a small air compressor, partly because hybrid battery components take up space near the rear floor. Some newer model years have returned to including a spare. Check under your cargo floor to confirm what you actually have before a trip.
Can you put a full-size spare on a RAV4?
A full-size spare will not fit in the factory under-floor well, which is sized for a compact temporary spare or a repair kit. To run a true full-size matching tire, adventure owners mount it externally on a hitch-mounted swing-out carrier at the rear of the vehicle.
Do I need a trailer hitch to mount an external spare on a RAV4?
For the most popular setups, yes. Swing-out and drop-down spare tire carriers made for the RAV4 slide into a 2-inch trailer hitch receiver, so you need a hitch installed first. The swing-out or drop-down action lets you clear the rear liftgate to reach your cargo.
What size tire cover fits a RAV4 external spare?
Our covers are universal and size-based, not vehicle-specific, so they fit any externally mounted spare once you match the cover size to your tire. Measure the mounted tire's overall diameter, then pick the matching size from our size guide. The drawstring back cinches on with no tools.
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