Best Jeep Spare Tire Carrier
Running larger tires transforms a Jeep off-road, but it also exposes weak points in the factory setup. One of the first to fail is the stock spare carrier, which struggles with the added weight and size of 35s or 37s.
Rattling, tailgate sag, and cracked welds are common signs that it's time for an upgrade. The best jeep spare tire carrier addresses those problems with stronger materials, better weight distribution, and designs built for trail abuse.
This guide explains why stock carriers fall short, the types of aftermarket solutions available, and what to look for when choosing the right carrier for your Jeep.
What this article covers:
- Why Upgrade Your Jeep Spare Tire Carrier?
- Types of Spare Tire Carriers
- Top Jeep Spare Tire Carrier Recommendations
- What to Look For in the Best Tire Carrier
- Installation Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Why Upgrade Your Jeep Spare Tire Carrier?
When you move past factory tire sizes, the added stress exposes weaknesses in the stock setup.
A reinforced carrier ensures the Jeep's tailgate and rear frame remain intact, even with the extra weight of trail-ready tires.
Common Problems with Stock Carriers
Factory carriers are designed for stock tire sizes, not 35-inch mud terrains or 37-inch all-terrains.
The most common issues include:
- Tailgate flex: Heavy spares pull on factory hinges, causing alignment problems.
- Rattling: Stock carriers loosen under off-road vibration.
- Metal fatigue: Thin-gauge steel bends or cracks when stressed repeatedly.
- Limited clearance: Large tires may rub against bumpers or body panels.
These problems don't just create noise. They shorten the life of your Jeep's tailgate and can leave you stranded if the spare fails mid-trail.
Benefits of Aftermarket Upgrades
Upgraded carriers solve those problems with engineered strength and better design. Benefits include:
- Full support for oversized spares without damaging the tailgate.
- Bolt-on fitment with Grade 8 hardware for reliable installs.
- Integration with bumpers and recovery points.
- Optional features like high-lift jack mounts or relocated brake lights.
CavFab's Elite Series Body Mounted Spare Tire Carrier—JL and JK version are great examples of carriers that move the load off the tailgate and into the Jeep's body structure, ensuring long-term durability.
Types of Spare Tire Carriers
Different Jeep owners need different carrier setups depending on tire size, trail use, and budget.
Tailgate-Reinforced Carriers
These systems strengthen the factory tailgate with braces and brackets. They're ideal for those running slightly larger tires (33–35 inches) and who want a factory-like appearance.
However, they still rely on the tailgate as a structural element, which limits long-term durability under extreme conditions.
Bumper-Mounted and Swing-Away Carriers
Bumper-mounted carriers transfer the weight of the spare directly to the rear frame. Swing-away designs allow the carrier to pivot out of the way for cargo access.
They're stronger than tailgate reinforcements and better for larger tires. CavFab's Crawler Series Rear Full-Width Bumper—JL is an example of a bumper designed to pair with heavy-duty carrier setups.
Carrier and Bumper Combo Units
Combo systems integrate the carrier directly into the bumper design. This approach maximizes strength and stability by tying the carrier into frame-mounted points.
They're the go-to choice for Jeeps running 37s or larger, as they eliminate tailgate stress entirely.
Top Jeep Spare Tire Carrier Recommendations
Based on fitment, materials, and trail testing, here are the leading categories Jeep owners should consider.
Best Overall Carrier
CavFab's Elite Series Body-Mounted Spare Tire Carrier—JL balances strength, clean design, and bolt-on fitment.
It transfers tire weight to the Jeep's body rather than the tailgate, preventing sagging hinges and rattles.
Best Heavy-Duty/Off-Road Option
For Jeep JK owners pushing 37s or heavy MTs, the Elite Series Body-Mounted Spare Tire Carrier—JK is engineered for serious trail use.
CNC laser cut and MIG welded, it eliminates weak factory hinge points entirely.
Best Value for Older Models
TJ and LJ drivers can step up with the Elite Series Body-Mounted Spare Tire Carrier—TJ/LJ. Built from American steel, CNC machined, CNC laser cut, and MIG welded, this system supports oversized spares without stressing the tailgate. It's an affordable, long-lasting solution for keeping classic Wranglers trail-ready.
Best Stock-Style Upgrade
For drivers running slightly oversized tires and looking to maintain factory appearance, a tailgate-reinforced setup is best. It allows for modest upgrades without sacrificing cargo access.
CavFab's body-mounted design bridges this category by maintaining easy tailgate function with superior strength.
What to Look For in the Best Tire Carrier
Every Jeep build is unique. The right carrier depends on how large your tires are, how you use your Jeep, and which model you own. These are the four key factors to evaluate before choosing.
Tire Size and Weight Capacity
Oversized tires add enormous strain to the rear of a Jeep. A stock 33-inch tire may weigh around 60 pounds with the wheel, but a 37-inch mud terrain can easily exceed 110 pounds.
Carriers not designed for that load will bend hinges, loosen hardware, or crack under vibration.
When selecting a carrier, check its rated weight capacity and confirm it is engineered for the tire size you're running now and any future upgrade you might plan.
Serious off-roaders often size up over time, so choosing a carrier that can handle 40s ensures you won't have to reinvest later.
Build Quality and Materials
Strength comes from both material and fabrication. The best carriers combine heavy-gauge American steel with precise machining and welding. Look for these technical markers:
- CNC laser cut steel for tight tolerances and repeatable fitment.
- MIG-welded precision seams for structural integrity that won't fatigue under vibration.
- Bolt-on fitment with Grade 8 hardware for secure installs that hold torque over time.
These specs aren't just marketing points – they directly affect whether your carrier stays solid over thousands of trail miles.
A poorly welded hinge or thin steel arm can leave your spare bouncing or sagging within a season.
Compatibility with Jeep Models
JL, JK, TJ, and Gladiator platforms all use different body designs and tailgate systems. Carriers are not interchangeable across these generations.
For example, a JL carrier will not bolt onto a JK due to differences in tailgate construction and hinge spacing.
Before purchase, confirm your carrier is engineered specifically for your Jeep generation.
CavFab simplifies this process by letting you shop by vehicle, so JL owners aren't sorting through JK or Gladiator options.
Extra Features (Jack Mounts, Brake Light Relocation, Cameras)
The best carriers go beyond simply holding a tire. Features that improve usability include:
- High-lift jack mounts for secure storage of essential recovery gear.
- Third brake light relocation brackets to keep your Jeep street-legal after installing a larger tire.
- Rear camera integration to maintain visibility and safety features on newer Jeep models.
- License plate relocation provisions for rigs where the spare blocks the stock location.
These features may seem small, but they save time, prevent legal issues, and keep your Jeep functional both on-road and off.
Installation Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Installing a tire carrier is usually straightforward with the right prep, but many Jeep owners make mistakes that shorten the life of the system or create avoidable rattles.
Reinforcing the Tailgate (When Needed)
Tailgate-mounted carriers can work with slightly oversized tires if reinforced correctly. Braces prevent sagging and spread the load across more of the tailgate surface.
Without reinforcement, hinges will eventually bend under weight.
Body-mounted carriers, like CavFab's Elite Series, eliminate this concern by transferring the load directly into the Jeep's body and frame rather than the tailgate sheet metal.
Preventing Rattles and Sagging
Rattles are the most common complaint after installation. The fix comes down to two things: proper hardware and proper torque. Always use lock washers, thread lockers, or locking nuts to keep bolts secure.
Follow torque specs and re-check them after the first few hundred miles. A properly engineered carrier with CNC-machined fitment should close snugly and remain rattle-free under vibration.
Accessory Fitment Issues (Lights, Camera, License Plate)
A new tire carrier often interferes with factory accessories. The third brake light may be blocked by larger tires, rear cameras may be obscured, and license plates may need to be relocated.
The best aftermarket Jeep parts carriers address these challenges with relocation brackets or integrated mounts.
CavFab's Elite Series carriers include third brake light relocation options and are engineered to work with modern Jeep setups, reducing the need for extra drilling.
Backup camera and license plate relocation may still require additional brackets, depending on the model and build.
Conclusion
The best Jeep spare tire carrier is one that supports your tire size, matches your Jeep model, and installs with the strength to handle real trail abuse.
Whether you're running 35s on a daily driver or 40s on a trail-built rig, you need a spare tire carrier designed to handle the load without compromise.
CavFab fabricates carriers from American-sourced steel with CNC laser-cut precision and MIG-welded reliability, giving Jeep owners a solution that outlasts stock hardware and stands up to repeated trail abuse.
CavFab's Jeep parts include a 30-day warranty against manufacturing defects and is built on the same principle: function first, aesthetics second, all made in the USA.
If you're ready to upgrade, explore our Elite Series carriers for JL, JK models, and TJ/LJ models.
For complete builds, pair your carrier with our steering and suspension collection, DIY/builder parts, or bumpers and armor to create a system that performs as well as it looks.