Project-JK just posted this on FB of what happened to a Teraflex Tire Carrier that someone they know has/had. And I just installed mine last night....

 

Well another poster had insinuated that there was no bracing behind that panel. They were wrong! Eeeeeekkkk!!!

 

Wow!!!!!!!!!!

 

Wow!

And i have been sh!t on today for considering a off brand hinged tire carrier. I thought these things were supposed to be bulletproof?

 

That's a pretty serious quality issue (at that price!)

 

Is this the carrier or the stock carrier extension bracket?

 

Back to the drawing table

 

Ouch!!! That looks pretty bad.

 

yeah this scenario has been buzzing around all over face book and just about every jeep forum. It's really bad because the break isn't the weld, but the actual steel section of the 2 piece bracket. Will be interesting to see what TF says if they chime in. They have yet to touch bases on this topic anywhere so far. I do love my TF hinge though

 

The break looks to be part of the weld or rather caused by the weld.... too much heat, contaminants, but whatever.

I looked to see what was being said on other forums (won’t do FB) and it appears this was caused by user error. If I read correctly this example had a 37” hanging solely on the bracket and wasn’t butted up against anything due to the backspacing of the wheel. That’s a crap load of weight to hang unsupported, wobbling around.

TF should be to add a disclaimer about installing in this fashion to protect people from themselves. I thought that was spare tire 101. Regardless of who’s at fault, it’s not a safe practice to chance others well-being and needs to be called out that common sense should go on both parties.

That said, I have this setup too and upon receiving I was not thrilled with the adjustable bracket portion’s design. I mean it wasn’t bad but some things need to be considered when using.

• If extended all the way out there doesn’t seem to be much meat connecting the two pieces together and leverage will want to let the tire “sag” and not sit 90* vertical over time, especially allowed to wobble.
• The ring that’s shown in the pic where it’s broken should be solid all the way around. I understand it has the half moons cut out to allow for the license plate & brake light bracket bolts but that takes away from strength.
• It should have a gusset on the top plate to add strength. Design would have to change totally for that but I don’t see why you couldn’t do a bolt pinch on the top like the bottom to allow the gusset to fall in between.
• And back to the brake light/plate part…. I hate that setup anyway, I can’t see anyone ever wanting to remove extra brackets & nuts (more tools needed) and wiring just to remove the spare. I’m going to tack weld a couple of nuts on the back of the stud plate so I can bolt the stock light to it so it sits behind the wheel.

p.s. If you intend to be dragging your spare due to obstacle approach & departure angles this setup might not be for you. It’s not going to hold up to the weight of the vehicle leveraging against it, go bumper mounted or other.