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Maximus-3 JL Tire Carrier

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Jfive

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The tires are 12.5's. Yeah, I read about LOD and one reason I didn't go with that was the sensor issues...and the price. I don't think that AEV has their JL carrier out yet.
I pretty sure I can't squeeze tire in another notch and get wheel face flush with mount.
I do have a factory plastic bumper - maybe different tolerances.

BTW - I appreciate this discussion and not trying to be argumentative. Just trying to work this out in my own head. I've been waiting for a tire carrier that checks all the boxes. I was very happy that this looked like it. I spend my Jeep upgrade budget carefully because I expect upgrades like this will last for life of the Jeep - or mine, whichever comes 1st. :-} I want to be totally satisfied. Not sure I'm at that place.

I'm curious why MAX-3 Engineer(s) designed off-center ~ 1 inch. LOD and Poison Spyder also have separate hinged carriers with similar tie rod linkage mechanics and their mount looks centered.
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RIP11

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are there any promo codes for maximus-3 or do they go on sale often? i need a tire carrier, and really like this one but it sure is a lot of $$
 

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The tires are 12.5's. Yeah, I read about LOD and one reason I didn't go with that was the sensor issues...and the price. I don't think that AEV has their JL carrier out yet.
I pretty sure I can't squeeze tire in another notch and get wheel face flush with mount.
I do have a factory plastic bumper - maybe different tolerances.

BTW - I appreciate this discussion and not trying to be argumentative. Just trying to work this out in my own head. I've been waiting for a tire carrier that checks all the boxes. I was very happy that this looked like it. I spend my Jeep upgrade budget carefully because I expect upgrades like this will last for life of the Jeep - or mine, whichever comes 1st. :-} I want to be totally satisfied. Not sure I'm at that place.

I'm curious why MAX-3 Engineer(s) designed off-center ~ 1 inch. LOD and Poison Spyder also have separate hinged carriers with similar tie rod linkage mechanics and their mount looks centered.
Oh thanks, I didn’t think you were being argumentative in the least. Here’s what my 37 looks like on the lower setting , and you can see the slight off-center position. Is yours similar?

Jeep Wrangler JL Maximus-3 JL Tire Carrier 93113216-96E2-46AC-A542-1004D13BF238
 

Jfive

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It looks like a little over 1 inch off by my measurements. I’M NOT SATISFIED! Look really off to me. Small enough to look wrong but not large enough to look intentional – to me it just looks like an engineering error.

Maximus-3 sales guy said I should have asked about centering if it was important to me. Maximus-3 has grill guards and Maximus-3 roof racks – are they off-center too? Per his statement, you better ask if you care! He said it’s structural So I guess it's OK? They’ve sold hundreds and I’m the only one that’s had an issue? It’s hard for me to believe thought I know you’re OK with it.

Rusty’s, Rugged Ridge, Smittybilt, LOD, Poison Spyder, Motobilt all look centered from what I’ve seen in-person and on web…though the way the pics are on Maximus-3’s tire carrier website you can’t tell it’s off-center. I learned by trying to take a pic of it that even a slight image angle on web pics can be deceptive. I feel a bit deceived here.

Engineering mistake or just the easiest way? Not Acceptable in my book. I'm not anal-retentive but this really bugs me on a $1K piece of gear. It was more expensive than competitors, so I expected better.

Maximus-3 won’t take the return because it’s been installed even though you couldn’t tell it was off-center until you get it on - Company Policy! Lesson hard learned. Yes, I'm disgruntled.

NOTE TO READERS: If you’re one of the “hundreds” that bought the carrier and haven’t installed it yet (you can still return it) or if you’re interested in the Maximus-3 tire carrier but haven’t purchased, think hard about if you’re ok with it being off-center. I wish someone would have blogged this before I had purchased. BUYER BEWARE!
 

RIP11

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Interested in selling it?
 

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Jfive

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Sure! 20% off sport model if you pay for shipping - or if you're in Phoenix area you can pick up.
 

Fire Burns

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Oh thanks, I didn’t think you were being argumentative in the least. Here’s what my 37 looks like on the lower setting , and you can see the slight off-center position. Is yours similar?

Jeep Wrangler JL Maximus-3 JL Tire Carrier 93113216-96E2-46AC-A542-1004D13BF238
Wow, after seeing this pic, there's no way I would consider this carrier. The offset would bug me to no end. Can't do it! And I consider myself a @Maximus-3 fan too, having installed several high quality items from them already. Very disappointing...
 
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Maximus-3

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@Jfive

Two years of engineering and testing went into our Maximus-3 JL Tire Carrier. Every millimeter of this product is intentional. During our R&D phase we tested many different mounting locations including centered, but our current production model proved to be far superior.

We set out to design the strongest and smoothest body-mounted Tire Carrier for the JL. Areas we focused on:
  • Load Distribution: take the weight off the tailgate and transfer it to the new hinges and reinforced body tub.
  • Structural Integrity: the ability to safely carry heavy tires and accessories
  • Kinematic Behavior: the geometry of motion to provide a smooth one-handed operation
After countless revisions Maximus-3 concluded that symmetry was less important than strength, safety, and functionality. We refuse to compromise strength and safety for general appearance.
Our Maximus-3 JL Tire Carrier is one of the best in the market despite being slightly off-centered.
 

Jfive

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@Jfive

Two years of engineering and testing went into our Maximus-3 JL Tire Carrier. Every millimeter of this product is intentional. During our R&D phase we tested many different mounting locations including centered, but our current production model proved to be far superior.

We set out to design the strongest and smoothest body-mounted Tire Carrier for the JL. Areas we focused on:
  • Load Distribution: take the weight off the tailgate and transfer it to the new hinges and reinforced body tub.
  • Structural Integrity: the ability to safely carry heavy tires and accessories
  • Kinematic Behavior: the geometry of motion to provide a smooth one-handed operation
After countless revisions Maximus-3 concluded that symmetry was less important than strength, safety, and functionality. We refuse to compromise strength and safety for general appearance.
Our Maximus-3 JL Tire Carrier is one of the best in the market despite being slightly off-centered.
Nevertheless several reputable companies (as listed above) have provided carrier that meet your criteria AND are centered. I like many aspects of your carrier - I bought it - but for the high price, I was expecting safety, strength AND general appearance. If it was my product development, I would have sent my ME's back to their CAD stations to make it right and/or reevaluate the trade-offs. ...or maybe you should make a bumper with an off-center tire indent to match the carrier? Joking! Really, Really, Really dissatisfied and disappointed in this carrier and with Maximus-3's response.

I don't want to hate this every time I look at the back of my Jeep. RIP11 had a great idea. I'll put mine up for sale. ...and I'll make sure I set the customer's expectations that it's 1" off-center.
 

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Bocephus

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Nevertheless several reputable companies (as listed above) have provided carrier that meet your criteria AND are centered. I like many aspects of your carrier - I bought it - but for the high price, I was expecting safety, strength AND general appearance. If it was my product development, I would have sent my ME's back to their CAD stations to make it right and/or reevaluate the trade-offs. ...or maybe you should make a bumper with an off-center tire indent to match the carrier? Joking! Really, Really, Really dissatisfied and disappointed in this carrier and with Maximus-3's response.

I don't want to hate this every time I look at the back of my Jeep. RIP11 had a great idea. I'll put mine up for sale. ...and I'll make sure I set the customer's expectations that it's 1" off-center.
not at all discounting your position here, I respect it. But for me, I waited for and purchased this one for all the reasons Maximus 3 describes in the thread above. For how I intend to beat on the Jeep, the slight off center offset isn’t something that bothers me in the least personally. Truly hadn’t noticed til you called it out. I do agree, especially in light of your reaction on thread (and endorsed by another), that Max 3 ought to specify/caution that the mount is indeed off center. I sympathize with you in context of it sucks to purchase something and be entirely dissatisfied. I hope the sale works out for you!
 

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Oh thanks, I didn’t think you were being argumentative in the least. Here’s what my 37 looks like on the lower setting , and you can see the slight off-center position. Is yours similar?

Jeep Wrangler JL Maximus-3 JL Tire Carrier 93113216-96E2-46AC-A542-1004D13BF238
Yikes, was excited to pull the trigger, but knowing it’s off center would bother me forever. Thanks for letting us know...
 

Fire Burns

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@Jfive

Two years of engineering and testing went into our Maximus-3 JL Tire Carrier. Every millimeter of this product is intentional. During our R&D phase we tested many different mounting locations including centered, but our current production model proved to be far superior.

We set out to design the strongest and smoothest body-mounted Tire Carrier for the JL. Areas we focused on:
  • Load Distribution: take the weight off the tailgate and transfer it to the new hinges and reinforced body tub.
  • Structural Integrity: the ability to safely carry heavy tires and accessories
  • Kinematic Behavior: the geometry of motion to provide a smooth one-handed operation
After countless revisions Maximus-3 concluded that symmetry was less important than strength, safety, and functionality. We refuse to compromise strength and safety for general appearance.
Our Maximus-3 JL Tire Carrier is one of the best in the market despite being slightly off-centered.
I don't doubt that this has been R&D'd to the utmost. I've no at all doubt that its indeed as strong and as well engineered as you say it is. As I mentioned, I have several Maximus-3 pieces on my rig. I've also recommended @Maximus-3 items numerous times on these forums due to what I've considered as superior design, strength, and yes, appearance.

However, at the end of the day, there are some acceptable and non-acceptable compromises we all make as we choose from a plethora of manufacturers and designs for the parts we purchase. Manufacturers also make similar compromises all the time, doing their best to balance cost vs. strength, vs. appearance, vs. functionality, vs weight, vs. ease of production, vs. any number of other factors.

Unfortunately, I think you guys are going to lose a majority of your tire carrier sales because you chose to design it off center, even if that resulted in slightly less strength or slightly worse "kinematic behavior," or whatever. That's just a fact and 100% your choice to make.

And now you can either choose to redesign and call it 2.0, or simply leave it and live with it. Sure there will be some that won't care if it looks strange (and make no mistake that this tire carrier looks "off" to most), but I suspect those who don't mind will be a small minority. I just hope that you guys are a more upfront about it on your webpage, to include stating clearly in the product description that its off center, to include some clear straight-on pics with a tire installed so potential customers know exactly what they're getting, especially when they're dropping $750.00 for just the base price that won't even hold a 37" tire without another optional $99.00 reinforcement brace. Right now, there is zero indication on the website or even a picture that would describe its offset nature.

Ball is in your court. Choose wisely.
 
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Nevertheless several reputable companies (as listed above) have provided carrier that meet your criteria AND are centered. I like many aspects of your carrier - I bought it - but for the high price, I was expecting safety, strength AND general appearance. If it was my product development, I would have sent my ME's back to their CAD stations to make it right and/or reevaluate the trade-offs. ...or maybe you should make a bumper with an off-center tire indent to match the carrier? Joking! Really, Really, Really dissatisfied and disappointed in this carrier and with Maximus-3's response.

I don't want to hate this every time I look at the back of my Jeep. RIP11 had a great idea. I'll put mine up for sale. ...and I'll make sure I set the customer's expectations that it's 1" off-center.
@Jfive

FYI, at least two of the tire carriers you mentioned are off-centered, clear as day in their photos. There are plenty of options out there, but a stronger TC simply does not exist. Our price is higher because you truly get more with our kits. We don't just slap a 3/16" plate on your tailgate and call it day.

There are three main ways to mount a Tire Carrier
1. Bumper/Frame Mounted: this method starts-off fine, but require frequent maintenance (greasing) otherwise you will be playing tug-of-war trying to open your tailgate.

2. Tailgate Mounted: they beef-up your tailgate, but most often neglect the hinges and/or the internal body tub. This method also keeps all the weight directly on the tailgate.

3. Body Mounted: the Maximus-3 way transfers the weight to our heavy-duty replacement hinges and optionally reinforced body-tub of the jeep. Virtually removing the entire load from the tailgate.


The Maximus-3 JL Tire Carrier
PROS:
* most structurally sound TC in the market
* silky smooth swing operation
* maintenance free bushings
* rattle and vibration free
* tire sits close to tailgate for best clearance
* many optional accessories
* made in USA
* dual coat finish (e-coat, and powder coat)

CONS:
* Barely off-centered
* Doesn't satisfy your aesthetic needs.

We never claimed our Tire Carrier was perfectly centered, rather that it's the most optimized way to carry a spare tire and some accessories.
If superficial beauty is the most important factor, then our TC is not rite for you.
If safety is #1...we got you fam.
 
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Maximus-3

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@Fire Burns,

Thanks for being a great customer and for weighing in on this topic.

We aren't twisting anyone's arm to buy our products.
We aren't attempting to deceive anyone.
If a product has an unacceptable feature - then we encourage people not to buy it.

We make damn good Jeep parts. We live up to our slogan of "dependable quality"
We are talking about one inch here... and most people don't even notice it.
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