Do I TRULY need a tire carrier for my 35" wheels?

[SRQ]

I have a steel bumper on backorder, but I was wondering if it was absolutely necessary to have a tire carrier for my 35" wheels, and that I'm not getting upsold an unnecessary part. I'm running a Dick Cepek 35x12.50R17LT (Trail Country EXP) tires on Pro Comp Wheels 69 Series Vintage 17x9 rims.

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[Herson]

No

 

[SRQ]

No

That's what I like to hear. Anyone else wanna confirm this?

Looking forward to not having to unlatch a bunch of stuff to get into my trunk lol

 

[Red Willy]

You could get the hinge reinforcement kit, but I don't know if it's really necessary. Of course Jeep will tell you it is to eliminate their legal responsibility.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

You could get the hinge reinforcement kit, but I don't know if it's really necessary. Of course Jeep will tell you it is to eliminate their legal responsibility.

I've been running a heavy combo all winter on the stock carrier. No issues. But wheeling season is starting and that can cause some issues. Personally. If you're just street driving, I wouldn't be too worried about it.

 

[ericdrob67]

That's what I like to hear. Anyone else wanna confirm this?

Looking forward to not having to unlatch a bunch of stuff to get into my trunk lol

I ran a 35 on my old JLUR with no problems for 2+years. But, i would be conscious of not slamming the tail gate as well as being aggressive on the whoops or wash boards.

 

[NC31]

A quick google says those wheels are only 16lbs!

If my math is correct you are at 80 lbs which is actually within what Jeep says the stock tailgate can handle.

 

[chevymitchell]

That's what I like to hear. Anyone else wanna confirm this?

Looking forward to not having to unlatch a bunch of stuff to get into my trunk lol

Concur with NO.

 

[JimmyB]

Comes down to weight and capabilities of the hinge on the stock Jeep as someone else already pointed out. I put the Rugged Ridge hinge and Terraflex Alpha tire carrier - mostly for aesthetics but just for piece of mind if I go with 37's eventually. There isn't much aftermarket product on my Jeep that I would ever say was "needed" beyond stock lol...

 

[Sgt Beavis]

I had a 2018 Sport Unlimited with 35s. I didn’t put a reinforcement hinge or carrier on it. The only real issue is the tire may rub on your rear bumper a bit. That depends on the tire. However I did find that the rear door was a bit more difficult to close.

My current jeep has 37s. I put a Sparticus hinge reinforcement, from Rugged Ridge, on it. I’ve had that for a year with a lot of rock crawling. Zero issues.

 

[Headbarcode]

I have a steel bumper on backorder, but I was wondering if it was absolutely necessary to have a tire carrier for my 35" wheels, and that I'm not getting upsold an unnecessary part. I'm running a Dick Cepek 35x12.50R17LT (Trail Country EXP) tires on Pro Comp Wheels 69 Series Vintage 17x9 rims.

A full hinged reinforcement and carrier? No, not unless you plan on going with 37's or larger. Weight isn't the concern with your intended combo, but my concern is that the new wheel offset will push the spare further from the tailgate. Cantilevering a given weight will amplify its affects on its surroundings. Think of holding a gallon of milk in one hand up against your chest vs at full arm extension. The weight doesn't change, but the stress increases and you tire out sooner.

I highly recommend an adjustable carrier, like the Teraflex Alpha HD, which can be fine tuned to any wheel offset at 3 different heights. That ensures contact can be maintained between the inner sidewall and the rubber tailgate bumpers, which prevent unwanted and potentially damaging movement. It simply just replaces the factory plastic carrier, so it's not at all an invasive swap. They only go for a bit over $300, and is money well spent.

 

[Turchman]

I did the Rough Country reinforcement. Not that expensive and did seem to add a lot of stiffness

 

[DHW]

I've had a 35 on Mopar Beadlocks on the back of mine for over a year now with no issues. I did get the Mopar tailgate reinforcement and oversize spare kit out of an abundance of caution. I'd agree with what's already been said here about not slamming the tailgate, but otherwise its fine.

 

[Herson]

That's what I like to hear. Anyone else wanna confirm this?

Looking forward to not having to unlatch a bunch of stuff to get into my trunk lol

I have my 35” tire on my stock carrier without any problems.

 

[rayzjeep]

For the street no...but for wheeling...over boulders and dropping of ledges...I would. Even hitting huge pot holes at 30-40mph will make that spare vibrate. Just my opinion.

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