There’s an unproven assumption that the hinges are a weak point. I’m not sure why people believe this and then turn around to suggest hinge based carriers. The few on the market mount to the exact same body points as the factory hinges. Have people actually bent the *hinges* on the tailgate?
That's true. There is an assumption about the hinges. But then the hinges are supporting the entire weight of the tailgate, spare tire and all the hardware... So it's easy to assume that if there is a reinforcement to be made, it should be to the hinges since they are really holding it all together.
Yes if you brace the tire with extenders so it doesn’t wobble. My tailgate is fine but think the tire resting on the bumper has pushed it out of alignment? If that is even possible. Maybe someone hit me when parked
That sounds like the most logical answer. Would the twisting only occur when the tailgate is open or both when open and closed?
I would think both, with the most twisting force being applied during general wheeling and bouncing of the vehicle. Think of it as holding a weight straight out from your body and bouncing up and down. Your shoulder, or in this case the sheet metal around the tire mount is the weak point. In my opinion the door is no stronger in the latched position. If anything the latch acts a center pivot point on the left side for the door to twist on.
Bah. No, it doesn't. Adding more metal to the tailgate itself doesn't magically move the weight around. I've argued this before and I'll argue it again. This product is USELESS. It does not make the tailgate stronger. It does not make the hinges stronger. It does not take any stress or weight off either the tailgate or the hinges.
Just like adding an extra joist under the floor of a deck stiffens the flooring, adding an extra layer to the ribs reinforces the tailgate itself. It's not about making the hinges stronger, it's a tailgate reinforcement.
This bothered me too. Youbuy the swing gate reinforcement and you can install it without the Oversize Spare Tire Carrier Kit, but the instructions say if you are going to mount a tire larger than the stock tire that you must additionally install the Oversize Spare Tire Carrier Kit. My first thought was that this was for clearances at the bumper and the extended bumpers, but I bet they are relying on the overly expensive metal brackets to provide additional stiffness and support to the tire carrier as well. Seems Mopar designed them to rely on each other in order to mount a heavier tire, yet they don't get sold as a package. That and the cost of these things is maddening.
