Cavfab VS TeraFlex Tire Carriers

[Jeepin_Donnie]

Typically when going on a wheeling trip I remove the kids seats, fold down my rear seat, and throw the spare in the back (and secure it with ratchet straps). My girls (age 2 & 5) joined me and the wife on our latest trip to Uwharrie and loved it! They loved off-roading, playing with the other kids, and playing on the rocks (with supervision of course)! So they will likely be joining me on future wheeling trips. When traveling to Uwharrie, I had the spare ratchet strapped in a basket which worked well. But I did not have the spare with me when on the trails. I really do not want to put the spare on the tailgate but I may choose to do so. My fear is when dropping off an obstacle/rock, hitting my tire on it and damaging my tailgate.

So the million dollar question, what does everyone recommend? Pros or cons? I currently am running 37s but may upgrade to 39s/40s sometime later. The cost will probably equal out in the end because I will get the Cavfab carrier powder coated since it comes in bare steel. Thanks in advance for your responses. I'd also love to hear from people who don't take a spare with them. I have a tire repair kit with me at all times and I have a dual ARB compressor installed so if I have to plug a tire it's no issue (I've plugged one of my current tires). But if I slashed a sidewall, that wouldn't be good.

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[TX_Ovrlnd]

CAVFAB is $650 +tax and ships raw steel (you're tracking already though). Includes license plate, brake light, and camera mount combo holder.

Teraflex is $1,115 +tax and ships already painted. It includes a brake light/camera mount combo holder (no license plate holder might be an issue for you).

They both offer hinge reinforcement which the Mopar version lacks. They both look like they work with OEM and aftermarket bumpers. The Teraflex tailgate reinforcement looks like it spreads the weight further across the gate. Teraflex is also supposed to be making accessories that can mount to their reinforcement bracket.

A bonus to running with a spare delete is the weight savings, do you have AAA or a contact nearby who can bring your spare out to you?

 

[Jeepin_Donnie]

CAVFAB is $650 +tax and ships raw steel (you're tracking already though). Includes license plate, brake light, and camera mount combo holder.

Teraflex is $1,115 +tax and ships already painted. It includes a brake light/camera mount combo holder (no license plate holder might be an issue for you).

They both offer hinge reinforcement which the Mopar version lacks. They both look like they work with OEM and aftermarket bumpers. The Teraflex tailgate reinforcement looks like it spreads the weight further across the gate. Teraflex is also supposed to be making accessories that can mount to their reinforcement bracket.

A bonus to running with a spare delete is the weight savings, do you have AAA or a contact nearby who can bring your spare out to you?

I'm leaning towards the TeraFlex carrier even though it's more expensive. The quality of their powder coating is excellent. I had the TeraFlex carrier on my JKU. I agree, it does seem to spread the weight further across the tailgate, and that's pointed out in their videos. Thanks for your input.

 

[zw470]

My TeraFlex is rock solid with a 99-pound spare.

According to their rep here they plan to release a compatible license plate relocation kit by the end of the year.

 

[Jeepin_Donnie]

My TeraFlex is rock solid with a 99-pound spare.

According to their rep here they plan to release a compatible license plate relocation kit by the end of the year.

Crap, I never considered where I'd relocate my license plate.

 

[Headbarcode]

If the Teraflex carrier mounts at the same height on their reinforcement as it does on the gate itself, than the Cavfab Elite hinged carrier can mount the spare higher up. I used to have the Alpha HD carrier, but needed a hinged reinforcement and they were extremely slow to market with theirs, so I ditched it for the Cavfab Elite.

The beauty of it showing up in bare steal, is it gives one the control over having it powder coated by a reputable shop. Mine was done to match the lightly textured black of the mopar steel front bumper. They did an amazing job with it and it still looks pristine after 2 years without anything more than a rinse down after the salty winters.

Here's pics of the same 38x13.5 and wheel on both the Teraflex Alpha and the Cavfab Elite, which were set to the highest pisitions..position...

And the Cavfab with my current 40x13.5, and it still hardly knows its there. The hinges are ridiculously strong and have Oilite bronze bushings, which are self lubricating while also having a high wear resistance.

 

[Five Seasons]

The biggest difference between the two is that one is made from extruded aluminum and the other is steel. The aluminum will be lighter, more corrosion resistant but more expensive.

 

[Jeepin_Donnie]

If the Teraflex carrier mounts at the same height on their reinforcement as it does on the gate itself, than the Cavfab Elite hinged carrier can mount the spare higher up. I used to have the Alpha HD carrier, but needed a hinged reinforcement and they were extremely slow to market with theirs, so I ditched it for the Cavfab Elite.

The beauty of it showing up in bare steal, is it gives one the control over having it powder coated by a reputable shop. Mine was done to match the lightly textured black of the mopar steel front bumper. They did an amazing job with it and it still looks pristine after 2 years without anything more than a rinse down after the salty winters.

Here's pics of the same 38x13.5 and wheel on both the Teraflex Alpha and the Cavfab Elite, which were set to the highest pisitions..position...

And the Cavfab with my current 40x13.5, and it still hardly knows its there. The hinges are ridiculously strong and have Oilite bronze bushings, which are self lubricating while also having a high wear resistance.

Thank you for the photos! I saw that the Cavfab carrier is adjustable and I was wondering how much more I could raise my spare. This post is extremely helpful! Also I see that an ARB diff cover will work with the MetalCloak diff slider! I will be purchasing an ARB diff cover for the rear. Thanks again!

 

[CarbonSteel]

@CavFab_mfg all the way:

 

[Jeepin_Donnie]

If the Teraflex carrier mounts at the same height on their reinforcement as it does on the gate itself, than the Cavfab Elite hinged carrier can mount the spare higher up. I used to have the Alpha HD carrier, but needed a hinged reinforcement and they were extremely slow to market with theirs, so I ditched it for the Cavfab Elite.

The beauty of it showing up in bare steal, is it gives one the control over having it powder coated by a reputable shop. Mine was done to match the lightly textured black of the mopar steel front bumper. They did an amazing job with it and it still looks pristine after 2 years without anything more than a rinse down after the salty winters.

Here's pics of the same 38x13.5 and wheel on both the Teraflex Alpha and the Cavfab Elite, which were set to the highest pisitions..position...

And the Cavfab with my current 40x13.5, and it still hardly knows its there. The hinges are ridiculously strong and have Oilite bronze bushings, which are self lubricating while also having a high wear resistance.

Any rattling from the carrier and spare at all?

 

[Jeepin_Donnie]

@CavFab_mfg all the way:

Any rattling from the carrier and spare at all?

 

[CarbonSteel]

Any rattling from the carrier and spare at all?

Nope. I've been on rough roads and off-road with zero issues.

 

[Jeepin_Donnie]

Nope. I've been on rough roads and off-road with zero issues.

Awesome. Thanks!

 

[Sydwaiz]

The biggest difference between the two is that one is made from extruded aluminum and the other is steel. The aluminum will be lighter, more corrosion resistant but more expensive.

I have the Teraflex (still to be installed) and I wouldn't call it light! I chose TF because I was worried about the CF rusting from the inside out where the powder coating can't reach. And I just thought the TF looked more OEM.

 

[Buckster]

Just installed the Cavfab about 2 weeks ago. It is rock solid, has no rattles and has significant adjustability in/out and up/down. There is really no dependence on the tailgate except for something to latch closed. The assembly literally carries the tire and the tailgate both, if that makes any sense.
It was a pain in the ass to paint, but it turned out pretty well. I like the camera and tag mounts that are included.
Wheel/tire combo comes in at 104 lbs.

Wheel/tire combo comes in at 104 lbs.

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