Jeep Spare Tire Carrier Options for Oversized Tires
Quick Answer
Running 35-inch or larger tires creates a problem most buyers do not think about until it is too late: where does the spare go? The factory tailgate carrier was never designed for oversized tires, and the consequences of ignoring this range from annoying rattles to catastrophic tailgate failure.
The Problem with Oversized Spares on the Factory Tailgate
The Jeep Wrangler tailgate and its hinges were designed to carry the factory spare tire and wheel combination, which weighs approximately 55-65 pounds depending on the model and year. A 35x12.50R17 tire on an aftermarket wheel weighs 85-100 pounds. A 37-inch tire on a heavier wheel can exceed 110 pounds.
This additional 25-55 pounds might not sound dramatic, but it is suspended from a single mounting point at the top of the tailgate and two hinges. The leverage created by the weight of the tire, acting at the end of a 20-inch moment arm from the hinges, puts enormous stress on the hinge pins, hinge brackets, and the sheet metal they bolt to.
Symptoms of an overloaded tailgate carrier develop gradually. The tailgate begins to sag, making it harder to close. The hinges develop play, causing the tire to bounce and rattle over bumps. The latch mechanism wears prematurely and stops engaging properly. Eventually, the hinge pins deform or the sheet metal cracks around the hinge mounting points. At that stage, the tailgate can swing open unexpectedly or the spare tire can separate from the vehicle entirely while driving.
The JL Wrangler improved upon the JK design with stronger hinges and a more rigid tailgate structure, but even the JL reaches its practical limit at about 37-inch tires on steel wheels. Beyond that, or for any setup where the spare weighs over 90 pounds, an aftermarket solution is necessary.
Tailgate Reinforcement Kits
The least expensive and least invasive option is a tailgate reinforcement kit. These kits add material and bracing to the factory tailgate and hinge area to distribute the weight of a heavier tire more effectively.
Teraflex and Mopar both offer tailgate reinforcement solutions for the JL Wrangler. The Teraflex HD Hinges replace the factory hinge pins with larger-diameter, hardened steel pins and add reinforcement plates that spread the load across a wider area of the tailgate. Installation requires drilling but no welding. Price is approximately $200-$350 for the complete kit.
For JK Wranglers, the Teraflex Alpha HD Tailgate Hinges are the go-to solution, replacing the factory hinges entirely with heavier-duty alternatives. The JK hinges are a known weak point, and this upgrade is considered practically mandatory for anything over 33 inches.
Reinforcement kits are appropriate for 35-inch tires and some 37-inch setups on the JL. They are not a solution for 37-inch tires on JK Wranglers, where the tailgate structure itself is not robust enough to handle the load long-term regardless of hinge strength.
Swing-Out Bumper Carriers
A rear bumper with an integrated swing-out spare tire carrier is the most popular aftermarket solution for Jeeps running 35-inch and larger tires. These bumpers mount directly to the frame, bypassing the tailgate entirely, and carry the spare on a swing arm that swings out to the side when you need to open the tailgate.
The advantages are significant. The spare tire weight is carried by the frame, which can handle hundreds of pounds without issue. The tailgate is freed from all tire weight, restoring its original operation. The swing-out arm positions the tire further from the tailgate, eliminating the rattle and interference issues. Many swing-out bumpers also include provisions for high-lift jack mounts, fuel can holders, and auxiliary lighting.
Popular options include the AEV Rear Bumper and Tire Carrier ($1,200-$1,800), the Metalcloak Overline Tire Carrier ($1,400-$1,800), and the ARB Rear Bumper with Swing Arm ($1,500-$2,200). Budget-friendly options from companies like Smittybilt and Rough Country start at $600-$900.
The main drawback is vehicle length. A swing-out tire carrier adds 8-14 inches to the rear of the Jeep, which can affect parking, approach angles when backing up hills, and garage clearance. The swing arm also adds complexity when accessing the cargo area, requiring you to unlatch and swing the arm before opening the tailgate.
- •Frame-mounted: carries tire weight on the frame, not the tailgate
- •Accommodates tires up to 40 inches on most carriers
- •Often includes accessory mounts for jacks and fuel cans
- •Adds 8-14 inches to vehicle length
- •Price range: $600-$2,200 depending on brand and features
Alternative Mounting Solutions
For Jeep Gladiator owners, the truck bed offers an alternative spare tire location. Bed-mounted spare tire carriers position the tire flat in the bed or vertically against the bulkhead. This approach works well if you do not need the full bed for cargo. The Gladiator bed is long enough to carry a 37-inch tire flat without impeding the tailgate, though it does consume a significant portion of the 5-foot bed. Universal bed mounts from companies like Wilco and All-Pro start at $150-$300.
Roof-mounted spare tire carriers are another option, though they are less common on Wranglers due to the already-high center of gravity. Adding 90+ pounds to the roof noticeably affects handling and increases body roll. If you choose this route, the tire should be mounted as low and as far forward on the roof rack as possible. Roof mounting is more practical for lightweight vehicles or as a temporary solution during long overland trips where a second spare is needed.
Some Jeep owners simply delete the spare tire entirely and rely on a tire repair kit and portable compressor. This approach saves weight and eliminates the mounting problem but leaves you vulnerable to sidewall damage that cannot be plugged. For Jeeps that venture far from paved roads, deleting the spare is a calculated risk that most experienced off-roaders advise against.