Bear with me here for a minute while I revisit a topic that's been beat to death but I want to get specific on it. I have read many places that 35s can hurt the tailgate over time. However, if 35 bfg km2s are really only 33.75", will I be good with the tailgate issue. I realize it depends on weight, does anyone know the weight of the tire and the acceptable tailgate weight?

 

you need to stop thinking in terms of "actual" tire size and start looking at ALL tires in terms of what is stated on the sidewalls. when you hear that a 35" tire will eventually take its toll on your tailgate, a tire with 35" stated on the sidewall is what is being refered to. does this make sense?

 

My brother in law runs 15" wheels and the 35" KM2's and I believe he said the overall weight of the tire plus his steel wheels are around 80-85 pounds. If you move up to 16" wheels, (and I'm going based on what my Bighorns weigh), you are closer to 100 pounds.

Stock wheels and tires were about 78 pounds from what I remember so not much different if you can fit a 15" wheel.

I've had my 35's on for over a year on the stock carrier with no issues yet and that includes wheeling my Jeep on some nasty rock climbs and drops. I assume at some point I will have to deal with it but so far I've been lucky.

And by the way, my 35's are actually only 33.75 when I measure them so keep in mind what WOL said...

 

I don't have 35's so I can't really relate...But I emailed ARB with question of why they don't make a tire carrier like they did for the TJ's? Their reply was simply "The factory spare tire carrier will fit & hold up to the elements of a 35's. I'm sure everybody knows the R&D they do on thier products! So that tells me if they are confident in it, I don't see a problem with it.

 

well, i really hate to contradict ARB but, while the "tire carrier" might hold up to the elements of a 35 much better than would have a TJ tire carrier, the tailgate and it's hinges will not. if you make sure that the sidewalls on your spare tire is pressing firmly up against the rubber isolators, you can make it last a lot longer as that will prevent the jiggling that ultimate fatigues the metal. however, over time, the weight and wheeling will eventually start to break things.

 

I would hope ARB test that as a single unit carrier/tailgate. Wouldn't make much sense to say the tire carrier will work for a 35's, but they tailgate hinges will fail. But if it was me & already had 35's, I'd feel confident that it will work on the factory setup until I can splurge on a $1700 bumper & tire carrier system.

 

Working is relevant, it may "work" But I've personally seen a 35 get ripped off a tailgate from dropping off a ledge, and myself backed into a tree( in my yard) causing tailgate damage. IMO if you gotta 35in spare and no carrier, throw it in the back, it'll save you a tailgate.

 

oh, it works and, depending on how much you wheel your jeep and on what kind of terrain, you may not see any failure in the welds of the sheet metal or hinges for a long long time. if you spend most of your time on pavement, maybe never. however, there have been plenty of people on this very forum who have had both start to fail including me. i ran an ARB rear bumper and mounted a 35" MTR on my tailgate and, over time, the hinges started to get sticky and creak. before it became a real problem, i upgraded my bumper to an lod with tire carrier. i don't know what kind of R&D ARB has done and all i can tell you is what i have personally seen.

 

how about the one that got ripped off climbing that steep ledge in moab - that was kinda funny

 

I've run a 35" tire on my stock carrier before, but suggest you get a support (if you don't want to get some type of swing away). They make supports for about $100 and that's cheap insurance compared to the cost of relacing and repainting a tailgate. Being prepared to run the tire can save you some money in the long run.