Swing-Out vs. Bumper-Mounted vs. Tailgate Jeep JK Tire Carriers: Explore the Pros and Cons

Are you looking for a different way to carry your spare tire? We know that the OEM setup is iconic, especially if you have a really nice tire cover, but sometimes it helps to change things up a bit. Or what if you need a different tire carrier to meet your Jeep bumper requirements or off-road needs? The good news is that if you’re ready to switch up your tire mount, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we take you through the pros and cons of popular options, including bumper-mounted, swing-out, and tailgate Jeep JK tire carriers.

Swing-Out Jeep JK Tire Carriers

One of the most common options that you'll come across is the swing-out Jeep JK tire carrier, and for good reason. Options like the RedRock HD Tire Carrier for OEM Tail Gate have a swing-out design that distributes the weight of your tire across the entire tailgate to reduce the risk of failure for your factory mounting points. Many of these carriers mount right onto your existing tailgate, and the swing mechanism allows the tire carrier to swing out to the side, which gives you easy access to your rear cargo space. Depending on the model, it may swing out with your tailgate or separately.

Pros of Swing-Out Jeep JK Tire Carriers

There's a lot to love about the swing-out design for a Jeep JK tire carrier. This is because you'll have better weight distribution for your spare tire, more clearance for off-roading, and the ability to fit larger spare tires. Another benefit is that many of these options come with heavy-duty designs that can support 37, 38, and even 40+-inch spare tires.

Cons of Swing-Out Jeep JK Tire Carriers

While we’re big fans of swing-out Jeep JK tire carriers, it would be dishonest to sit here and tell you that there are no drawbacks. The first drawback that you'll notice is that you're adding a swinging mechanism to your Jeep JK’s tire carrier. Essentially, you'll have more moving parts to worry about back there. Another drawback to consider is that a swing-out Jeep JK tire carrier may add extra width to your vehicle, and this can make it challenging to squeeze into tight spaces or even enter your garage.

Bumper-Mounted Jeep JK Tire Carriers

A bumper-mounted Jeep JK tire carrier is exactly what it sounds like: a tire carrier that mounts to your vehicle’s bumper. While some options mount onto your OEM bumper, it's more common for options to come with aftermarket bumper upgrades. This allows you to upgrade both your bumper and tire carrier in one shot and can even help you save some money. The most important thing to note about these carriers is that they tend to be the strongest options. Since you're mounting the tire carrier to the bumper, you don't have to worry about any issues with the tailgate. Plus, many bumper-mounted carriers include swing-out tire carriers, so you can get the best of both worlds.

Bumper-Mounted Jeep JK Tire Carriers Pros

One of the most notable benefits that you'll find with a bumper-mounted Jeep JK tire carrier is that these bad boys don't fold under pressure. We don't care how big your spare tire is. When you use a bumper-mounted tire carrier, the weight is carried by the bumper, which is a lot stronger than the tailgate. Another benefit of a bumper-mounted Jeep JK tire carrier is that you can find a lot of options that combine a tire carrier with a brand-new bumper. In other words, you can kill two birds with one stone and upgrade your tire carrier and bumper in one fell swoop. A great example of this is the Rough Country Rock Crawler HD Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier.

Bumper-Mounted Jeep JK Tire Carriers Cons

When it comes to the drawbacks of bumper-mounted tire carriers, you won't find a ton. That said, the most notable one is the cost because many of these tire carriers need to be installed with new bumpers. You'll also find that these tire carriers can be more complex to install because of the new bumper, in many cases. It's also important to note that you may have clearance issues, and there may be another step that you have to follow to access the tailgate. Fitment issues can also occur, so make sure you connect with our sales techs if you have specific questions about how one of these bumpers will impact your build.

Tailgate Jeep JK Tire Carriers

A tailgate Jeep JK tire carrier is what your Jeep comes with from the factory. Essentially, it's an OEM-style design that relies on your truck’s tailgate to support the spare tire. You'll find that most aftermarket tailgate Jeep JK tire carriers have additional modifications to the OEM design, superior hardware, and many other upgrades.

Pros of Tailgate Jeep JK Tire Carriers

One of the best parts about going with a tailgate Jeep JK tire carrier, like the Rugged Ridge Spartacus HD Tire Carrier, is the fact that the installation process is a breeze. You usually don't have to worry about drilling, and most of these kits focus on upgrading OEM hardware to improve stability. Plus, if you like the way your spare tire looks from the factory but just want room for a larger one, you don't have to make any jarring appearance changes to your ride. You'll also find that tailgate tire carriers tend to be the most cost-effective options, and you don't have to sacrifice quality.

Cons of Tailgate Jeep JK Tire Carriers

We're big fans of simple tailgate Jeep JK tire carrier upgrades, but there are some flaws. You're still relying on your tailgate to support the spare tire, so going bigger than 37 inches can cause problems. Like other tire carriers, you also need to keep an eye on clearance issues, and some carriers may make getting into your cargo area more of a challenge.

Get the Right Tire Carrier for Your Build Today

Whether you need a mount for a larger tire or you just want to change things up, upgrading your tire carrier might be just the thing you need. While we've covered the pros and cons of each option in this guide, if you ever have more questions, you can always connect with our sales techs for more help finding the right tire carrier for your Jeep JK.