What is the tailgates weak link?

[JoshNZ]

Hi all,

I'm going to mount a small cargo basket above my spare tyre, something like this;

However, I often read that the tailgate isn't up to the task of all the extra weight from big tyres and cargo, but what is the weak link? Hinge or body mount?
I'll have a 33x12.5" spare plus a basket with mostly light bits and pieces, and only on camping trips etc.

My spare actually sits up on the bumper when closed, so I doubt there is much vertical weight on the hinges when closed, and there is no slop or movement in the hinges at the moment.

I know the right way to do this would be a new bumper which supports the weight, but living in NZ means I spell Tire "tyre" and shipping one over is out of the question.
One day I'll make one, but until then, what signs of wear should I be looking out for??

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Hi all,

I'm going to mount a small cargo basket above my spare tyre, something like this;View attachment 80357

However, I often read that the tailgate isn't up to the task of all the extra weight from big tyres and cargo, but what is the weak link? Hinge or body mount?
I'll have a 33x12.5" spare plus a basket with mostly light bits and pieces, and only on camping trips etc.

My spare actually sits up on the bumper when closed, so I doubt there is much vertical weight on the hinges when closed, and there is no slop or movement in the hinges at the moment.

I know the right way to do this would be a new bumper which supports the weight, but living in NZ means I spell Tire "tyre" and shipping one over is out of the question.
One day I'll make one, but until then, what signs of wear should I be looking out for??

If you have frame tie-ins that connect the crossmember to the frame and possible the bumper to the frame like mine then you’ll be good. Thick steel and good bolts will make sure nothing breaks loose.

 

[astjp2]

Nylock nuts too

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

IMO. A 33 or 35 on the factory tailgate is pushing your limits. Whether its the hinges or Body that is the problem, is inconsequential. It's just too much weight to be on the body. Or the hinges which mount to the body.
Aftermarket bumper mount tire (tyre) carriers put the weight on the bumper, and by design, the frame. Which is much better. But, I still have my doubts.
I have the over the spare basket and gas / water can holders which tie into the bumper on my Jeeps.
They sit in my Jeep stuff pile and I rarely use them. Because...
I trust neither. Even with the bumper to frame supports that I have installed.
If overlander - single vehicle (Jeep only) trips are your plan, I humbly suggest a roof top carrier.
But I hate those too. But that's just me and opinion.

 

[DrDmoney]

Hi all,

I'm going to mount a small cargo basket above my spare tyre, something like this;View attachment 80357

However, I often read that the tailgate isn't up to the task of all the extra weight from big tyres and cargo, but what is the weak link? Hinge or body mount?
I'll have a 33x12.5" spare plus a basket with mostly light bits and pieces, and only on camping trips etc.

My spare actually sits up on the bumper when closed, so I doubt there is much vertical weight on the hinges when closed, and there is no slop or movement in the hinges at the moment.

I know the right way to do this would be a new bumper which supports the weight, but living in NZ means I spell Tire "tyre" and shipping one over is out of the question.
One day I'll make one, but until then, what signs of wear should I be looking out for??

I cant recommend a cargo carrier be mounted to your T-gate, but personally never have had any problems with my 35 mounted on it. I've heard all the hype about not doing it, just never had an issue. i carried a 35" spare on the stock hinges mounted to the original carrier that I modified by cutting it down to work with the back spacing of the new wheels. the factory mount is offset to the passenger side so I mounted a 3/16" plate to the T-gate and raised and centered the cut down mount to accommodate the larger tire (this keeps the tire close to the T-gate, above the bumper and in the center which looks better) keep in mind the door handle will be close but before I welded it all up i made sure it would work, I also cut down the original snubbers to work with the tire so it was tight to the T-gate. I ran it this way for 15 years and at 19 years the hinges are still fine.

 

[JoshNZ]

Thanks for all the replies, think I'll just be careful and bump the new rear bumper up the list of to-dos

@OldButStillJeeping, I'm pretty sure I'll end up in the same boat; make it, mount it, then never really use it... Oh well, fun to make and maybe one day I'll need it..