Telescoping Tire Carrier?

[mattlago]

I made a swing down tire carrier that came from my trailer hitch for my Cherokee and just hated it. My wife couldn’t handle the wheel (33’s) and it was cumbersome and it moved around too much. So I was thinking why not one that slides out but still gave me ground clearance? It needs to come out about 24 inches to clear the gate opening


At first I looked at two pieces that were longer but it stuck out to much. So I got some shorter pieces and made a third tube


From there I will weld a stub going up and then the wheel plat to the stub. Also on the bottom I can put a lower receiver which will be nice for a small quad trailer and offset the lift of the Jeep (don’t worry max towing is gonna be about 700 lbs)

I am going to put in some spring pins to stop from sliding all the way out and if I rattles too much I will drill and tap the whole thing to put a t handle bolt through. Though it is pretty snug now

I am posting now as you all have great ideas and if you have better options I’m open. I haven’t seen this done before and maybe there is a reason for that!

Oh why not just buy a bumper and tire carrier for $700? Cuz I like welding....

Thanks for input in advance


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[SteveH-CO]

I see your AZ license plate - I would think this idea would work great in dry climates, and rust into a blob anywhere in the rust belt. Is there room for HDPE slippers in this design to reduce friction? You can't use a roller technology due to dirt infiltration, but some method of lowering friction (of the telescoping sections) would seem critical.

The commercial tire carriers that tip downward and have assist springs - might be simpler to retrofit your old design. Fewer moving parts and accomplishes (mostly) the same thing.

 

[mattlago]

Well, I figured out why no one has done this. There is just too much slop in it at the end. Or at least with my ability, tools and tolerances that I was able to get. Too many shims and it wouldnt slide right. To slide right, needed slop or suggestions above. Also, the AZ license is correct and this wouldnt work for spit if was in MN where I am from. Down here I imagine the sand would create future problems.

So I put about 30 hours into it and then ordered one from XRC. Off to make a stool, welding stand, table, bench etc. Anything that looks like a box!

 

[fourjeepin]

Swing out is best. Or even better, ditch the spare altogether. I bent a rim about ten years ago out in Moab. When I got home, I cut off the swing out and haven't missed that boat anchor out back or the lack of visibility.

Mine was homemade, modeled after the bulletproof bumpers. Trailer spindle for the pivot point makes the weight of a 35" tire on a steel rim swing very easily.