Tailgate Reinforcement needed @ 90 pounds?

[john_cal]

I know this has been discussed a lot and the max tailgate weight is 85lbs. Just seeing if anyone has ran a 90lb wheel and tire setup on the tailgate without reinforcement. If so was there any issues?

The setup in question:
285/75r17 BFG K02 - 60lbs

Icon Rebound 17x8.5 - 30lbs

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[John VonJeep]

Yes.

 

[DavidArmen]

Im not running a reinforcement with the rebounds and 35 ko2s but I really should. I’m eyeing the Teraflex carrier+reinforcement but it’s too much for some painted metal.
I love the rebounds btw.

 

[john_cal]

Im not running a reinforcement with the rebounds and 35 ko2s but I really should. I’m eyeing the Teraflex carrier+reinforcement but it’s too much for some painted metal.
I love the rebounds btw.

That looks great! Do you know the total wheel/tire weight? How long have you ran the setup, and any sag?

 

[WannFly]

how much can you put on the tail gate with the MOPAR reinforcements and 33 stock KO2 tires? I have been eyeing a few accessories to put on the tire for carrying gas and firewood and most of them say to carry it on a bumper mounted tire carrier.

 

[CavFab_mfg]

While you can get by without...over time it will fatigue the hinges / tailgate and could lead to some alignment problems down the road.

We have had folks upgrade to our carrier for a 285/75 just for the peace of mind and for the fact that when they go larger down the road they already have the necessary components to do it right.

 

[CavFab_mfg]

how much can you put on the tail gate with the MOPAR reinforcements and 33 stock KO2 tires? I have been eyeing a few accessories to put on the tire for carrying gas and firewood and most of them say to carry it on a bumper mounted tire carrier.

Not to open a can of worms here...but there is a reason a lot of the top dogs in the carrier world chose against a bumper mounted solution. That single pivot point on the bumper tends to become a weak spot and we have seen (and have photo evidence) of these failing (which tends to take out the tailgate with it). A properly designed tub mounted carrier is typically superior in every aspect.

 

[DavidArmen]

That looks great! Do you know the total wheel/tire weight? How long have you ran the setup, and any sag?

It’s about 100 pounds probably. The wheel, as you know, is quoted by icon dynamics as being about 30 pounds. The tire I’m running, 315/70r17 in load C, is quoted by bfg as being ~65 pounds. So it’s about 95 pounds total. I got the jeep September 2020 and ran it stock til July 2021. I got the wheels and tires July 2021 and have been running this setup ever since.

Even though I know it’s not good in the long run, especially from long term fatigue, I haven’t noticed any major issues with the spare’s weight yet. The one big change I noticed is the fact that opening and closing the tailgate feels a lot heavier now and when I open the tailgate, I can feel it drop by a tiny amount. It’s not enough to cause issues when opening/closing but I can feel that it drops a little, perhaps by ~1/8”, because of the higher weight.
But I believe that may be more down to calibration than anything else, as all aftermarket tailgate hinges tell you to calibrate the sag of the tailgate depending on the weight of your spare, so I’m sure if I loosened the bolts and twisted the tailgate clockwise by a very tiny amount, it would go back to being level. But I haven’t touched it because, as I mentioned earlier, it’s not large enough to cause any issues when opening/closing the tailgate and I plan on upgrading in the near future especially because my next set of tires are going to be the new 37” ko2s in load range C. They are quoted as only being 1-2lbs heavier than my current set of 35s but still haha

Make absolutely sure you lengthen your bump stops. These wheels stick out more than the stocks so the factory bump stops are going to be way too short and you absolutely want support on the bottom.

 

[Stormin’ Moorman]

Not to open a can of worms here...but there is a reason a lot of the top dogs in the carrier world chose against a body mounted solution. That single pivot point on the bumper tends to become a weak spot and we have seen (and have photo evidence) of these failing (which tends to take out the tailgate with it). A properly designed tub mounted carrier is typically superior in every aspect.

Isn't your carrier body mounted?

 

[CavFab_mfg]

Isn't your carrier body mounted?

Haha, yes. I was thinking BODY MOUNT > and typed that instead of bumper mount. Fixed :P

 

[MtCamper]

I've been running 315 KO2s load range C for about two years now. Stock Rubicon rims. No drop or droop noted yet.

 

[john_cal]

It’s about 100 pounds probably. The wheel, as you know, is quoted by icon dynamics as being about 30 pounds. The tire I’m running, 315/70r17 in load C, is quoted by bfg as being ~65 pounds. So it’s about 95 pounds total. I got the jeep September 2020 and ran it stock til July 2021. I got the wheels and tires July 2021 and have been running this setup ever since.

Even though I know it’s not good in the long run, especially from long term fatigue, I haven’t noticed any major issues with the spare’s weight yet. The one big change I noticed is the fact that opening and closing the tailgate feels a lot heavier now and when I open the tailgate, I can feel it drop by a tiny amount. It’s not enough to cause issues when opening/closing but I can feel that it drops a little, perhaps by ~1/8”, because of the higher weight.
But I believe that may be more down to calibration than anything else, as all aftermarket tailgate hinges tell you to calibrate the sag of the tailgate depending on the weight of your spare, so I’m sure if I loosened the bolts and twisted the tailgate clockwise by a very tiny amount, it would go back to being level. But I haven’t touched it because, as I mentioned earlier, it’s not large enough to cause any issues when opening/closing the tailgate and I plan on upgrading in the near future especially because my next set of tires are going to be the new 37” ko2s in load range C. They are quoted as only being 1-2lbs heavier than my current set of 35s but still haha

Make absolutely sure you lengthen your bump stops. These wheels stick out more than the stocks so the factory bump stops are going to be way too short and you absolutely want support on the bottom.

Also, the tires you mentioned are 50lbs. The heaviest 285/70r17 ko2 is about 52lbs. So your setup is about 80-82lbs so you are totally within spec.

Great to hear you do not have any issues. I will definitely be sure to lengthen the bump stocks. However, the tires I purchased are 285/75 not 70. They are pretty much a 34in tire and weigh 60lbs (E load). That extra 8lbs pushed me over the limit just slightly.

 

[baskiboat]

Haha, yes. I was thinking BODY MOUNT > and typed that instead of bumper mount. Fixed :P

What weight would you be comfortable carrying on your carrier? I have a spare tire rack from AAL and will eventually want a solution that allows me to use the rack.

 

[john_cal]

While you can get by without...over time it will fatigue the hinges / tailgate and could lead to some alignment problems down the road.

We have had folks upgrade to our carrier for a 285/75 just for the peace of mind and for the fact that when they go larger down the road they already have the necessary components to do it right.

I will definitely be sure to keep you guys in mind!

 

[CavFab_mfg]

What weight would you be comfortable carrying on your carrier? I have a spare tire rack from AAL and will eventually want a solution that allows me to use the rack.

Tough to say. We have had 42s mounted on it without issue...but didnt weigh the setup. Also have had 40s mounted with beadlocks and rotopax on top of that.

Also we had one of our dealers install one with a 37 / beadlock and got a photo from them with oen of the guys sitting on top of the 37..so figure 100lbs at minimum for the 37+ wheel and another 200 for the guy who decided to sit on top of it...haha

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