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In this article, I will be looking into the best tire carriers to help you choose the right one for your jeep. But because they are so many in the market, it often becomes really hard to choose.
I will make it easy for you and provide you with an in-depth review of their pros and cons in order to give you the compass to find the right one for you.
I am a petrol head who loves the automotive industry. And not just for fun, oh no, I am a complete freak who devotes himself to this industry. I own a couple of beasts myself who love to rev and having that adrenaline rush has become like morning coffee for me.
So let’s find a good fit for you, shall we? My personal preference is the TAC rear bumper due to its durability and strength, and on top of that, the rear door doesn’t have to partially carry the weight of the huge spare tire when it opens.
It comes with its own mounting rods that keep the rear door free of that extra weight that might end up damaging the door hinges when wide open. Tailgate mounts, on the other hand, usually have rattles, while this one does not.
There are many other options for you to choose from. You can figure out what you prefer and what your budget is and after that, have a checklist prepared as well.
Quick Summary
So, let’s look into all the potential mounts that might end up on the rear of your jeep. Which one is the best on the market?
Well, just one carrier might not be the most suitable option for all of those adventure seekers out there. Every rear bumper with a carrier has its own unique flavor, and you can check to see which one suits your taste.
Here is a list of some really good bumpers with tire carriers.
| Easy to use, with a tailgate mount for the tire | (No LEDs) EAG Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier |
| Highest towing capacity and strength | TAC Rear Bumper with Swing Tire Carrier |
| Easy to use and has LEDs | EAG Rear LED Bumper with Tire Carrier |
| Highest quality, lightweight, and with good rust protection | Hooke Road Rear Bumper with Spare Tire Carrier |
Who Should Get This?
Anyone who has a jeep should definitely get this upgrade. Not only will it give you more freedom, but it would also give you that mighty presence on the road that would enhance the looks and profile of your American Workhorse.
It’s one of those signature things that jeep owners put on their prized possessions. It’s kind of a shout-out to say, “Hey, I am ready for adventure!”
Most importantly, if you are going to have bigger tires, then you should have an aftermarket one as the OEM won’t be able to handle the weight.
Best Jeep JK Rear Bumpers With Tire Carriers in 2021: Detailed Reviews
In this section we will go through some of the best choices one by one, with a detailed discussion regarding their pros and cons.
1. EAG Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier
- Towing capacity: Less than 5,000 lbs
- Weight: 145.4 lbs
- Mounting style: Opens with the tailgate.
This carrier is the way to go when you are looking for something that gives you the freedom of off-roading along with the ease of daily driveability. Undoubtedly, a tailgate-mounted tire is the easiest to get around, but it wouldn’t be that sturdy.
On top of that, if the fitment is not done right, it will cause a lot of rattling. On the bright side, if the fitment is done right, tailgate-mounted tires can look more dashing than those mounted separately.
2. TAC Rear Bumper With Tire Carrier
with Swing Tire Carrier & 2″ Hitch Receiver & 2X 4.75 Ton D-Rings
- Towing capacity: More than 5,000 lbs
- Weight: 164 lbs
- Mounting style: Does not open with the tailgate
The TAC rear bumper with tire carriers (see Amazon) not only has a competitive price tag but is also durable. It has fairly good rust protection and comes with a huge towing capacity, far above the competitors.
TAC has been producing off-roading equipment for more than 20 years, so they know their craft and they make long-lasting stuff. Another good thing about these is that they don’t require drilling or other modifications as they fit perfectly just like OEM.
The only problem that occurs with this rear bumper is that the license plate gets obstructed by the bumper. That’s not really a big deal, as you can get new holders that will make your license plate stand out even more, which looks cooler anyway.
The instructions on the manual are also pretty straightforward. Even with little mechanical knowledge, you will be able to install it with ease.
3. EAG Bumper with Tire Carrier with LEDs
- Towing capacity: Less than 5,000 lbs
- Weight: 148.6 lbs
- Mounting style: Opens with the tailgate
EAG makes several types of variants in this line of products. As opposed to the EAG rear bumper with tire carrier, this one comes with rear LEDs that will help illuminate your rear bumper, increasing the safety and the looks as well.
This is essentially the same as the non-LED version, but this one is cheaper than the non- LED version, surprisingly. The two 12W round LED lights are there to enhance the driving experience during night rides.
These LEDs come with a complete wiring harness for attachment along with a switch. The bolt-on design allows for more customizability, so you would have more options to work with. Similar to the non-LED version, this one also comes with a tailgate-mounted tire design.
4. Hooke Road Rear Bumper Tire Carrier
With LED Lights
- Towing capacity: More than 5,000 lbs
- Weight: 136 lbs
- Mounting style: Does not open with the tailgate
This one is of the highest quality when compared with all the others on the list. The rust protection treatment on this is top-notch and will not rattle as the tire is not attached to the tailgate. It also comes with rear LED lights to increase safety.
Another plus for this rear bumper with a carrier would be its light weight. This one is by far the lightest of all. Each added pound decreases mpg, and this weight reduction will save you some bucks on gas, although you would have to spend a little more on the bumper itself.
How to Choose the Best Jeep JK Rear Bumpers with Tire Carriers in 2021: Buying Guides
The factors that you should consider before making your final decision are as follows:
- Strength & Durability: See how much towing capacity and rust protection it has. Less rust means more durability.
- Cost: See how much it costs. You should choose the one that suits your budget the best.
- Looks & Style: You should go with the one that looks nice to you. Don’t just follow what other people say looks nice.
- Weight: The weight of the rear bumper along with your tire will play a significant role in how your Jeep will manoeuvre and how many mpg you will get.
- Fitment: Fitment is also important. You should know for sure whether the bumper you are looking at will fit your Jeep or not. All of the bumpers discussed here will fit onto a Jeep Wrangler JK (2007-2018). Some of the carriers like TAC will have the best fitment, while others will need some extra work.
Rear Bumpers with Tire Carriers FAQs
Do They Rust Easily?
Yes, these bumpers are notorious for rusting as the finishing just peels off after some time. The rust problem is even more substantial in cheaper bumpers.
Are Aftermarket Ones Better Than the OEM?
Factory bumpers are certainly of the best quality, but they won’t handle bigger-sized tires. If you have a tire weighing more than 50 lbs, then you will have to upgrade to an aftermarket one.
What Is a Good Price for a Rear Bumper with a Tire Carrier?
Rear bumpers with carriers come in a lot of different price ranges. You can find some for less than $300 and some even for around $2000. The best price for what you need is around $450-$600, within which range you won’t get poor quality nor will you likely be ripped off.
More expensive doesn’t necessarily always mean better quality. I have seen people spending more than $1500 on a similar product and getting really low quality with zero customer support.
Additional Tips
How To Maintain A Rear Bumper With Tire Carrier?
Make sure that you have made all the necessary measures for rust protection. These are known to rust which is the biggest issue. You can spray WD-40 on them regularly to keep away the moisture.
Another liquid you can use for rust protection is “Fluid Film”, it will also enhance the color of your rear bumper and it lasts longer than the WD-40.
My Verdict
The TAC ones are the best regarding their quality, price, durability, and strength. And because I personally prefer the ones without the tailgate mounts.
It’s not a good choice to spend thousands on something that is also available for much less and getting the job done just like the expensive ones.
See Also:
4 Best JK Tie Rods to Buy
Is Jeep Wrangler A Good First Car?
4 Best Jeep JK Leveling Kits To Buy
How to Clean Jeep Plastic Fenders
6 Best Tire Carriers For Jeep JKs