Hello and thanks for any advice in advance. My 31x10.5 spare tire is wreaking havoc on my tailgate. I'm having it fixed soon and need some suggestions on another tire hanger that doesn't continue to tweak the tailgate. The guy that is fixing the tailgate could weld another hanger to the bumper if needed? Thanks again.
HD tire hanger help
- Thread starter Jammin
- Start date
The reason tires tear up the tailgates is due to tires no longer being properly secured from behind with the rubber bumpers that are bolted to the tailgate. You need those to be secure to the back of the tire to keep it from moving. Otherwise any tire, even a stock tire, will destroy the tailgate. This is why the factory uses the bumpers.
Aftermarket wheels will relocate the centerline of the wheel/tire outwards, making a gap between tire and the bumpers. The bumpers can be extended, but ideally a more stock wheel should be used to keep the wheel closer to the tailgate in general, to keep the weight not so far out.
A bumper mounted tire carrier can work to solve the problem, although those have their own downsides.
Aftermarket wheels will relocate the centerline of the wheel/tire outwards, making a gap between tire and the bumpers. The bumpers can be extended, but ideally a more stock wheel should be used to keep the wheel closer to the tailgate in general, to keep the weight not so far out.
A bumper mounted tire carrier can work to solve the problem, although those have their own downsides.
I have a Smittybuilt bumper/swing out tire carrier on my YJ. I knew that mounting a 33 would wreck the tailgate hinges. I was concerned with the tire being mounted up too high so I bought the adjustable version. That allowed me to adjust the mount so that the tire almost sits on the bumper itself and is nice and low on the back of the Jeep, out of my rear view mirror. There are other similar options out there that would do the same. I have been happy with mine so far.
