I watched a jeep come down a steep cliff like hill into a ravine and when he dropped his rear tire hit so hard that it bent his tailgate badly. I was wondering if there was I could protect mine cheaply. I came up with what you see in the pic. Added unexpected advantage was that the tire sits on it. So it is also taking weight off the tailgate during my daily drive.

Opinions.

 

Similar device is already being used by people.

 

Yup. Gonna make my own

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/skid-ma...d-sm501rp.html

 

Don't think that would double as taken weight off tailgate and Mine cost slightly less. $25. Think it was a 4 inch drop. Thought about adding metal to it but not sure it would help.

 

Ha! Didn't read that last part in your original post.

I hate how vulnerable the tire and tailgate is when dropping off ledges or even steep climbs. I got hung up a few years ago on the metal masher trail on a very steep but short climb. Thought for sure I was gonna bust something but I got lucky.

 

I just put a 2x2 piece of square stock into my reciever that is as long as my tire is wide. Works great.

 

I'd be worried about hitting the receiver and bending the frame

sent from the bottom of a water hold and didnt lock the motor

 

Hey guys, it really isn't a good idea to have the spare tire mounted to the tailgate, but resting firmly on the bumper as you are driving around. These Jeeps are body on frame construction, with big rubber body mounts between the frame and the body. Those rubber body mounts flex as you hit bumps, and the body moves relative to the frame. If you mount your spare tire on the tailgate (body), but have it resting firmly on the bumper (frame), every time you hit a bump you are flexing the tailgate along with the body mounts.