New Swing Down Tire Carrier

[Nay]

I finally built a swing down tire carrier off my tube bumper - with the addition of two large dogs to four kids, the roof rack can no longer carry the spare as I need it for gear.

I chose a swing down over a swing out for several reasons:

1) My 3rd row is used full time and I only need access to the upper hatch as tools/spares are stored behind the 3rd row, and I don't regularly need to access behind the 3rd row;

2) The hatch can be accessed in much tighter trail spots than a swing out;

3) Integration into a tightly tucked tube bumper would have been difficult with a swing out;

4) Low cost ($300).

We built a sliding mount with multiple locator holes - this allows the mount to stay lower for highway and mild offroad trips for visibility, but it can be raised to ensure no issue with departure angle for technical crawling trips. You can see the bolts on the mount pole in the 3rd pic.

I still need to buy caps for the open ends (hence the orange electrical tape), and the mount pole is left long above the tire for a light mount if I ever want one.

The swing down motion stops at horizontal when the tire contacts the hitch, but I may install a limiting strap so it only swings down far enough to open the upper hatch, which will make hoisting it back up much easier for regular access.

It does not rattle at all including on washboard, I am very pleased with the result. Design inspiration goes to Darwink, who built a swing down off his rear bumper.

 

[Taildragon]

Nice work, just a little surprised this isn't a thread about FOR suspension! Lol

 

[Kaoscruizer]

Very nice .. mine is in the works. I had some HUGE spindles built for the hinges, but maybe I can change it seeing yours. The swing down tire carrier is next new BIG trend, just like the 37 inch tire!!!

 

[bhmmapping]

Very nice design. I especially like the option to adjust the height. What did you use for bushings?

 

[MARLIN375]

Nice...Clean....and simple just the way it should be. I like the swing down idea, seems it would keep the tire out of the way while accessing the rear (more at full drop) and even offer up an extended table for trail lunches when locked in the level position.

I take it you no longer need (at this time anyhow)to put your tail gate down.

 

[gahi]

cool, if you wanted to make a uasable tailgate version, section out the tube bumper so the bushes are inside it. then make the pins latch behind the tube.

 

[Nay]

I take it you no longer need (at this time anyhow)to put your tail gate down.

Correct - stuff would start spilling out. It hasn't been opened in so long when I tried to open it recently it was pretty hard to do - close to being seized.

I can always adjust the mounting later if we decide we need the tailgate down (such as when kids go to college and I don't need the 3rd row full time).

 

[Nay]

Very nice design. I especially like the option to adjust the height. What did you use for bushings?

My fabricator sourced the bushings and I'm not sure exactly what application they are for, but they are standard poly bushings for an arm mount (two bushings plus a sleeve).

The height adjustment was his idea - it's a pretty cool feature.

 

[Nay]

cool, if you wanted to make a uasable tailgate version, section out the tube bumper so the bushes are inside it. then make the pins latch behind the tube.

We could probably leave it alone and put the pin latches on the hitch. I may do that at some point if all the clearances would work, because it would be a stronger design and would provide another link point between hitch and bumper.

 

[80t0ylc]

Good job! Don't forget to re-locate your license plate & it's illumination lamp to a visible location. Maybe the middle of your spare wheel. The harness could easily be routed on your carrier. I like it!

 

[darwink1]

Are you able to take the spare off w the gate folded down or does it need to be in the up position? Im only able to take mine off with the carrier in the open position but have been tossin around ideas for my future 60 swing down. Like making a kind of basket for the spare to sit in while the gate is closed and using the factory spare tire "winch" mech to lower the spare to the ground when the carrier is open...

Did that make any sense?

D

 

[Nay]

Are you able to take the spare off w the gate folded down or does it need to be in the up position? Im only able to take mine off with the carrier in the open position but have been tossin around ideas for my future 60 swing down. Like making a kind of basket for the spare to sit in while the gate is closed and using the factory spare tire "winch" mech to lower the spare to the ground when the carrier is open...

Did that make any sense?

D

I can technically take the tire off in the down position because of the height adjustment mechanism (removing that entire piece rather than just the tire), but it really isn't designed for that.

I like the "tube basket" idea - a mudder did that a few years ago and it would work well, although you have to strap the tire down still.

Finding a way to use the factory spare winch is an interesting idea, although that mechanism is kind of a PITA to use. Since I don't need access to the tailgate, a simple limiting strap that allows a max of about 30 degrees recline would be perfect, and it is not materially heavy from that position.

 

[Sc0-]

You have a satellite dish on your truck?

 

[julstirn]

I have been thinking of a swing down but I do get into the back often, while the idea of lifting it doesnt bother me, I feel for others who might need to. Looks nice though.

 

[Nay]

I have been thinking of a swing down but I do get into the back often, while the idea of lifting it doesnt bother me, I feel for others who might need to. Looks nice though.

It's not light, but not a big deal, either. Then again, dealing with a swing out on the trail where the swing momentum is downhill requires a great deal of care. A don't think a swing down makes sense for most people, but it does fit my usage and bumper design very well.

 

[josharre2000]

Very nice.

 

[greentruck]

Nicely done. You and D brainstorming should inspire some other projects.

I my own case, I gotta have swing-aways when we find a home for the spare other than underneath -- my back will only allow emergency lifting of tires

But that's a low priority for me anyway and major $$. You guys do a good job showing that there is a way to come up with a durable spare carrier at modest cost.

 

[kbahus]

Looking good Nay!

 

[yoopercharged]

looks great! I'm still planning on doing one of these.

 

[brobertz]

I had to go back and look for the sat dish... looks good. I always like the idea of one swinging over instead of straight down of the back. Any of those around?