Jeep Enthusiast Forums banner

33" spare on the tailgate.

2K views 14 replies 12 participants last post by  kappaknight 
#1 ·
Do I need to extend all of the 5 of the rubber bumpers or can I just do the 2 on top and the 1 on the bottom? The tire also sits on the bumper some so that should help.
 
#4 ·
I'd say don't do it. I had a 33" spare on there, extended all the rubber bumpers, and it still ended up bending my tailgate a little. Not to mention that you'll be afraid to open your tailgate, bc with that big of a tire, the metal is flat out flimsy.

Learn from other peoples mistakes, or learn your lessons the hard way.

Whatever you do, good luck :wave:
 
#5 ·
Why not just get a swing-away? Better to be safe than sorry IMO.
 
#6 ·
I had my 33 on my tailgate for a year without any issues whatsoever, but I've heard of plenty who had sagging and/or hinge issues. I extended all the bumpers, and like yours, mine rested on the bumper as well. It was definitely nice and snug on there!
 
#8 ·
I did exactly what you have done and had no problems until one day out wheeling and the tail gate opened all by itself while going up hill, it broke the tail gate hinges, which are only cast aluminum. I have since built my own bumper and tire carrier. Do it right the first chance you get!
 
#9 ·
My tailgate creaks everytime I go over a bump (even though I no longer run my 33x12.50 on it) just because it got bent so loose... If i were you I would save up another 100-200 bucks and get a swing away, or at least the bestop tire carrier. Until then I just keep my spare lashed down in the bed (back seat removed)....
 
#10 ·
On another thought, does anyone have any experience with the besttop type tire carrier (either bestop or other brand)... a swing away combined with a bumper is a bit pricey, but the body mounted ones may be within my price range... are they worth it? Any other recommended products/brands?
 
#12 ·
chan said:
On another thought, does anyone have any experience with the besttop type tire carrier (either bestop or other brand)... a swing away combined with a bumper is a bit pricey, but the body mounted ones may be within my price range... are they worth it? Any other recommended products/brands?
I have the 33" on my tailgate and I have had zero problems. But I don't trust it at all. I like the Bestop/Or-Fab design a lot. I don't like the bumper/spindel type swing away deals. The advantage of the Bestop is it swings with the tailgate. I think the Or-Fab is stronger though and can carry gas cans.
 
#13 ·
Bigbob said:
I have the 33" on my tailgate and I have had zero problems. But I don't trust it at all. I like the Bestop/Or-Fab design a lot. I don't like the bumper/spindel type swing away deals. The advantage of the Bestop is it swings with the tailgate. I think the Or-Fab is stronger though and can carry gas cans.
I really like the Or-fab, but it's pricey. There are some pretty cheap swing-aways out there.

But I wouldn't mount a 33 on the stock location. Move it somewhere, even if it's just into the back seat.
 
#14 ·
Just to give a little more info from my file 'o tire carriers...

The Bestop is one of the cheapest ways to solve the problem...

http://www.quadratec.com/products/12203_01_07.htm

Reasonably priced, but does nothing other than carry the tire.

The Or-fab is over $500, but carries a couple Jerry cans also...


http://www.quadratec.com/products/12045_413_07.htm

Both of those mount to the tub.

If you have an aftermarket bumper and just want to add a swing-away, Olympic makes one that might work...


http://www.quadratec.com/products/22202_22_07.htm

In theory, that can bolt onto non-olympic bumpers. But olympic also makes reasonably priced tow-rated rear bumpers, if you were interested in that. (Most reciever bumpers haven't gone through the tests to be 'tow rated'. They're probably perfectly safe to tow with, but...)

http://www.quadratec.com/products/12008_2X_A_PG.htm

There's also the LOD carrier, which is pretty nicely priced, with the base unit just a little over $400...

http://www.4x4xplor.com/lod/proddetail.php?prod=LoD-XTREME

They've got some nice 'higher end' stuff, too.

The cheapest I've found for a 'full blown' tire carrier, with J-cans, etc, is the Grant's...


http://grant4x4.com/s_13.asp?pro=17&c=&pn=Tire+Carrier+%2F+Jerry+Can+Bumper

Anyway, there are TONS of options out there sub-$500, these are just a few. Your tailgate is worth a hell of a lot more than $500. If you don't want to spend the money, take it off, and throw it in the back seat. :thumbsup:
 
#15 ·
I had the stock carrying my 33's for a year. It always creeked over bumps and stuff and until recently, it finally cracked (over some time) and gave way. I ended up replacing it with the Bestop carrier. It feels really solid though right now I'm lacking a third brake light cause the installer said it wouldn't fit.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top