A spare tire can take up the same space you planned to use for a cooler, tool bag or camping bin. Where you mount it depends on which Polaris XPEDITION you own. The XP and XP 5 have an open dump bed, so you can mount the spare above the bed floor and pack underneath it. The ADV and ADV 5 have enclosed rear cargo, giving you a choice between a spare that rides inside above your gear and a swing-out carrier that moves it outside.

XPEDITION XP vs. ADV at a glance

Model Factory cargo layout DRT spare tire options
XP Two seats and an open dump bed Bed-mounted tire carrier, available on its own or with the bed rack
XP 5 Five seats, split flip-up rear seating and an open dump bed Same bed-mounted options as the XP
ADV Two seats and enclosed rear cargo Interior rack or exterior swing-out carrier
ADV 5 Five seats, enclosed rear cargo and split rear seats that flip up or fold flat Same carrier options as the ADV. Check clearance in the seat configuration you use.

Polaris lists a 600-pound cargo box rating for both layouts. The difference is how you use the space. The XP gives you open access from above and a bed that dumps. The ADV gives gear more shelter and has a longer, enclosed cargo area with a locking tailgate. On the ADV 5, the fold-flat rear seats give you room to extend the load forward when you have fewer passengers. See the XPEDITION XP and ADV layout comparison on UTV Guide.

XP and XP 5: Carry the spare above the dump bed

The DRT XPEDITION XP and XP 5 Tire Carrier and Bed Rack System uses the factory aluminum bed rails and retains the bed’s tilt function. The tire carrier raises the spare off the bed floor, leaving room underneath for gear. You can order the tire carrier by itself or pair it with the bed rack if you also want mounting points for lights.

Polaris XPEDITION XP with the tailgate down, showing the DRT spare tire carrier above the dump bed

Pack around the item you reach for most. If that’s a 12-volt cooler, measure its height with the lid open and check which way the lid hinges. A cooler can fit under the carrier and still be awkward to open once the spare is strapped down. The same goes for a tool case or a tall storage bin. If you regularly haul bulky gear, check how easily it loads through the tailgate with the carrier in place.

Watch the XP tire carrier and chase rack installation

ADV and ADV 5: Choose an interior or exterior carrier

Interior rack: Keep the spare under cover

The DRT XPEDITION ADV and ADV 5 Interior Tire Carrier holds a spare up to 32 inches. The rack lifts the spare above the cargo floor, leaving room for coolers, tool bags and other gear underneath. Gas struts assist rack movement, and locking pins hold it in the lowered position when you need the spare.

Straight-on view of the Polaris XPEDITION ADV cargo opening with the DRT interior spare tire rack above the floor

This setup makes sense if your spare fits within the 32-inch limit and most of your gear fits below the rack. Check how much space the rack needs to lower with your usual load in place. In an ADV 5, check access with the rear seats set up for a full crew as well as folded for longer gear. Compatible DRT bedside MOLLE panels give small items a place along the sides, where they’re easier to reach than at the bottom of a bin.

Exterior swing-out: Keep the enclosed cargo space clear

The frame-mounted DRT XPEDITION ADV and ADV 5 Exterior Tire Carrier supports a spare up to 35 × 11.50 inches. It swings away from the rear opening, leaving the interior height and floor space available for tall bins or bulky gear. The tradeoff is an extra step every time you need to open the rear cargo area and room behind the vehicle for the carrier to swing.

Rear three-quarter view of the Polaris XPEDITION ADV with the DRT exterior swing-out spare tire carrier

The carrier can be used on its own or paired with the matching DRT Exterior Tire Carrier Bumper. If the spare blocks your rear camera, the carrier has provisions for relocation using DRT’s adjustable camera mount and extension harness, both sold separately.

Watch the ADV exterior swing-out tire carrier installation

Slide-out bed drawer storage for the XP and ADV

The DRT aluminum bed drawer for the Polaris XPEDITION ADV and XP slides out so you can reach tools and recovery gear from the tailgate. If you’re pairing the drawer with DRT’s ADV interior tire carrier, DRT offers a dedicated bracket kit for that combination. Check clearance with the carrier and other cargo accessories you plan to run.

Watch the XPEDITION aluminum bed drawer installation

Choose the setup around the gear you carry

  • XP or XP 5 with a cooler and tool bags. Start with the bed-mounted carrier and check loading access and lid clearance. Add the bed rack if you also need light mounts.
  • ADV or ADV 5 with a spare up to 32 inches and low-profile gear. The interior rack keeps the spare under cover and leaves floor space for gear below.
  • ADV or ADV 5 with a larger spare or tall cargo. The exterior carrier is the better fit when you need the full height of the enclosed cargo area or a spare over 32 inches within the carrier’s published limit.

Before ordering, confirm your exact model and year, mounted spare dimensions and how you’ll reach the spare when the machine is fully packed. For a look at how DRT outfitted XPEDITIONs for a very different kind of long day, see the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office XPEDITION fleet build. Compare the available options in the DRT Polaris XPEDITION collection.

If you’re planning upgrades beyond cargo and spare-tire storage, see our guide to what to upgrade first on your side-by-side.

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