THe worst decision I ever made with my build was buying a rugged ridge rear bumper and tire carrier

I will admit, the bumper has taken pretty good beatings and hasn't given me any problems. It hasn't rusted in the winter, it has been knocked off rocks at sharp angles, it has survived trees..and it has held up the fight extremely well!

But the tire carrier? What a hunk of garbage it has been. The inside latch rubs off the powder coating and has completely rusted. The hinge is starting to tip downward. So, This thing hasn't been able to withstand the weight of a 35" tire? Really? The tire constantly vibrates and comes loose over time as well.
But worst than that is the angle/width at which the tire ends up sticking out when mounted on the tire carrier. Almost Every single time I approach a drop off from a steep rock decline I smash my spare tire. I can't tell you how many times the tire has this Bent inward and smashed up against the steel bumpstops. I absolutely hate this tire carrier. This is my opinion, if the tire carrier has worked for you kudos! It's a great lookin tire carrier and I loved it when I first got it, but for the obstacles I approach, I'm just not a fan!

So my plan is the sell the tire Carrier and bumper together. I figure I will get more money for the whole package.

Now I'm looking at two options for a new rear bumper/tire Carrier options. The EVO tire carrier or the poison spyder brawler 2

Here's what I like and don't like about both. I'm hoping if I explain what I want the bumper/tire carrier to do for me someone will be able to lead me in the right direction

What I want:

- Strength for a 37" tire down the road
- good approach angle. If the rear of my jeep comes off a steep rock I want a good approach angle
- if my spare tire does end up hitting the ground or a rock, I don't want my tire or carrier to move
- easy access to the rear cargo as it is my daily drive
- something that will last in Canadian winters where the roads are salted every day
Something that will work with
- a good hinge mechanism that isn't going to bend or shift
- weight. I don't want something too too heavy

What I'm thinking about each carrier

EVO:

Good look, decent price for what you get, seems strong and definitely won't have an issue if it hits a rock since it is literally cradling the tire.
The only thing is I'm not sure I want the evo skins since I already have the rocker panels from poison spyder? Also, how much weight does this add and is it easy to open and close for a daily driver?
Finally, this doesn't come with a bumper so what bumper should I end up using? I don't like the idea of no bumper, it just looks unfinished to me

PSC:
I love the look and I love everything I buy from them. It would match my other psc stuff I've got but what's the approach angle like on these ?


Please help me make a decision!

 

i love the EVO one... great design. and very heavy duty... but not easy to open and close.. so you will not be using your tailgate much. but the evo carrier does the job and looks awesome. ive used it with a poison spyder rear bumper without carrier..



'

 

Another question would be if the EVO skins needed for the tire carrier would work with poison spyder flat flares

 

Do you have photos of the evo carrier with the poison spyder bumper?

 

They have a flavor of this carrier that uses their skins, however they also have one that doesn't, so any skins and/or flares would be fine.

 

Just throwing this out there; I love my terraflex HD hinge one... holds my 35 and it's more solid than 2 tons of steel...

Lets you open the tailgait in one motion, and looks factory on my black jeep.

 

So I could use the evo tire carrier with the poison spyder corner guards and flares ?

 

I would suggest the Genright carrier if you like the style of the Evo carrier.

I have the PSC bumper with the tire carrier, doing it all over I would get the PSC bumper, no carrier and the Genright tire carrier in aluminum.

 

Good suggestion as well. Thanks for the idea. I do prefer the look of the evo over the genright though but I will check it all out

 

Love my PS Rock Brawler II


Wouldn't change a thing