Topic: Which tire carrier to get?

[Jeffy]

I know people aren't huge fans of the Smittybilt XRC carrier but I haven't had any issues and I like the clean and simple design it has, I don't like bulky bumpers or those with lots of weird angles. The latch did rattle when I got it, but I used one of the OE spare tire carrer bumper thingys and a small spacer to the frame so it keeps just enough tension against the rear gate to stop it from rattling. For the price it was just too hard to beat for me personally. I dig the textured finish as well. I've got enough room to mount my hi lift in front of the spare tire, just haven't gotten around to it. There isn't really any way to add accessories like jerry cans but that's not much of a worry for me

Smittybilt isn't a bad company but you have to really check what you're getting.  They don't seem to make everything they sell.  Kind of like the Steelhorse but with better products overall.  They are owned by Transamerican Auto Parts who own 4WPW, Pro-Comp, 4WDH, Rubicon Express, G2 (which I think is/was Superior Axle & Gear)...  Back before they were bought, they made everything they sold.

I checked out their Classic and it's okay.  It's a copy of the Currie Enterprise kit which everyone copied.  Steelhorse, Pro-Comp, Warn and Smittybilt...
  I do like how it's actually Class III certified.  There's nothing fancy about it which can be a good thing.  I do like some of the stuff they did with the XRC but I don't like the bumper design.  At least not on a older Jeep.

[chardrc]

They are owned by Transamerican Auto Parts who own 4WPW, Pro-Comp, 4WDH, Rubicon Express, G2 (which I think is/was Superior Axle & Gear)...  Back before they were bought, they made everything they sold.

Transamerican also owns poison spider now (as of February 2015 anounced during koh week or just before)

[Jeffy]

Transamerican also owns poison spider now (as of February 2015 anounced during koh week or just before)

Yeah, they just bought them.  I was looking at the SRC Classic bumper and I noticed that older pics of it are in fact when it was still the Steelhorse tire carrier.  I forgot They acquired the bumper mfg. from there.

So far, I'm liking the TNT, Nate 4x4, AtoZ, Garvin and ARB.  I'm also looking at the JCR but I don't like the Rotopak's as much as NATO cans.

[Jeffy]

KD Fabworks.  I like the double shear hinge.

[chardrc]

Nice having the highlot jack mounted at an angle mine is mounted horizontal on the carrier and can knock you ( or others around you) in the head if your not paying attention.... I believe the my warn bumper carrier is double sheer too.

[Jeffy]

Nice having the highlot jack mounted at an angle mine is mounted horizontal on the carrier and can knock you ( or others around you) in the head if your not paying attention.... I believe the my warn bumper carrier is double sheer too.

It's a nice touch for sure.  I'm not too worried about a place for my hi-lift since I'm probably going to throw it onto the roof rack.  Also the KD is for TJ's so while it works for the YJ, I'm not sure if it's going to use all 10 holes. One of the thing I'm worried about are vibrations and this one doesn't wedge the swing out to the body.  I like the bumper and the hinge though.

[Jeffy]

Came across picture of this YJ with a tire carrier.  Couldn't figure out who's it was till I came across the original pic.  I like the double shear hinge but there's no bearings.  BTW, it's a Warn that's been photoshopped.

[chardrc]

That's what I had on my YJ (we have the TJ version on our 06 rubi still). The original paint faded in a year or two but warn agreed to pay part of the cost to have them sprayed with bed-liner locally. Only issue with lining them is if you don't take your time to either mask important areas off or reclearance them the carrier latch will not work well (i took my time on the YJ and it worked well). Only other issue was my rear cross member started rusting out to the carrier kept pulling away from the tailgate (more of a salt issue than anything).... isn't as smooth as a swing carrier with bearings but works well enough and fitts the style of the yj / tj jeeps better imho.

[Jeffy]

I'm not worried about paint at all.  Actually, I'd rather get it bare and paint it myself with spray cans.  Touch-ups are a lot easier with spray cans.  I want to stay away from bed liners or powdercoating since that stuff come with it's own problems.  Really, I'm looking for something that holds the tire a can of gas and has a hitch.  I know most aren't going to be tow rated but that's a certification issue and not an actual tow issue.  Less work to install is better for me.  Not having to cut up the body is also a plus but not a deal killer.  I don't want something rattling and eventually coming off.  Modular designs seam to be better in that they allow the tire to be spaced properly as well as accounts for alternate bolt patterns.

The biggest problem is that most everything is for the JK or at minimum TJ's.  Also, many builders aren't around anymore.

[Jeffy]

I'm kinda wanting something like what the old MB's used to do.  There's no way to run the gas can like that on the back with a 33 without covering the tail lights though.  That's unless I move the lights to another location.  That was an option too but that's a lot more involved.  I'd have to patch the holes and or cover them.  Was thinking about putting the lights in the bumper...  TnT might be the best option though.  Still gonna look for a rear bumper mounted tire carrier.

[TahoeYJ]

True, I was aware of TA owning Smittybilt which is probably why so many of their accessories can be had next business day at any 4WP.  I wasn't aware that they had purchased all those other companies, that's some serious business!
It's definitely a copy of a copy of a copy, but it's also an affordable copy :)

The KB looks good!! I dig the tubular carrier with the traditional bumper design.

[dwtaylorpdx]

One thing to consider, several friends of mine have been pulled over for having gas cans outside the vehicle.. Utah and Cali both..
Cali will ding you for carrying more than 15 gallons of fuel as well. Coupler were wheelers all were trucks hauling race cars in trailers.

[Jeffy]

One thing to consider, several friends of mine have been pulled over for having gas cans outside the vehicle.. Utah and Cali both..
Cali will ding you for carrying more than 15 gallons of fuel as well. Coupler were wheelers all were trucks hauling race cars in trailers.

Do you have Vehicle Code's?  My guess is that they got dinged for Title 49 Commercial transportation and not private use which is exempt. 

I've never heard of anyone getting pulled over for NATO cans on their 4x4 before.