Rear mounted spare tire carrier

I've searched a few forums about this and it seems like the pickings are a little slim if you don't want a universal hitch mount carrier. So far I like the Rigd the best out of any I've seen because it sits a little lower and doesn't obstruct the rear view as much as most of the others. I don't mind relocating the backup camera (or just getting a new one), but I don't want it to rattle. I'm not completely opposed to replacing the bumper if it checks all the boxes, but obviously I'd rather not spend that kind of money either.

So I'm looking for something secure, preferably lower mounted to reduce rear view obstruction, and the doesn't rattle when going off-road. A license plate relocation would be nice if it was built in as well. Any input or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

The RIGd doesn’t move at all once torqued down. It’s a solid option that can easily be removed and added to another vehicle. I have the multi-fit one and only run it when on a day trip or camping trip. Otherwise it’s in the garage. Doesn’t take much to remove/install.

 

I think that would be a good investment if you were on a off road trip through Death Valley for example.

I like the idea of being able to remove the carrier for daily driving, like a bike rack.

Could still keep the spare under car in normal location, then you’d have two spares.

 

Wilco makes an offset one. I’d have gotten it but their lead times sucked. https://wilcooffroad.com/shop/hitchgate-offset/

I have the rigid-armor swing out, not to be confused with rigd.

 

I surprised no one has tried to put the spare on the hood like they do in Africa.

Doubtful that our hoods could hold the weight.

 

doubt you’d see over it with our windshield/hood angle

 

I wouldn’t want that much weight on the hood.

I went with the RIGd to use on both GX and 4runner. That way I don’t spend 6k on rear bumpers. Plus when I get my LC200 I can use the RIGd on it as well.

 

I think you see that more on old 4x4s with small wheels and skinny tires.

 

Good point

 

I don't think carrying 2 spares is possible. Most of these hitch tire carriers stick deeper into the spare tire area.

I've kind of eliminated these hitch carriers from my needs at least till I go to a tire that requires them. My 32.9inch 285/70R17 tire still fits under the 4Runner.

When I go to that bigger tire, 34 inch or 35 inch, I want a full bumper with swing outs.

 

I saw Wescott has a dual spare carrier. Not sure what I think about it though.

 

I said the same thing until I realized if I sell the vehicle the 3k bumper has to go with it so the hitch carrier fits my needs.

 

How secure is your Rigd? Do you just have a lock on the hitch to prevent someone from walking up and jacking the whole thing?

 

I meant keep the one under the truck and then one on the carrier.

 

Yes there’s a locked pin installed, actually two locked pin as there’s one on the D-ring as well. Also there’s a 19mm bolt that is torqued down into the hitch and you’ll need a 12” extension to get to it. It’s pretty secured. Check this video out.
https://youtu.be/FHPhYPk3q04

 

DOM checks your requirements except being mounted lower. It does obstruct rear view, but it doesn't rattle offroad, and costs $670 delivered + powdercoat if you like or you can paint it.

 

I've got the Rig'd multi-fit and it was originally purchased for a 2018 Subaru Forester I owned before I bought my 4Runner. It also fits my 4Runner just fine and also fits my Honda Ridgeline and wife's Mazda CX9 and we use it on all the vehicles as needed. We've got a Kuuat bike rack that we combine with the Rig'd Multi-Fit to create a swing-out bike rack that makes it easy to deal with opening the rear hatch or tailgate on my vehicles. I really like the flexibility to use it on multiple vehicles as needed and it's easy to remove the spare tire carrier if you don't need it for the what you are doing. When not in use, I keep it in a corner of my garage.

Also, one of the posters shared a concern that it won't attach to the 4Runner trailer hitch if your OEM spare is still under the vehicle but I can tell you that I have used mine with my OEM spare in place - just saying... And, it does tighten up very securely with no wobble or rattle. It's a solid item...

Cheers,
Bob

 

These are no longer $670, by the way. I like the Rigd and would definitely be a great addition to my 4Runner, but not at the current price. I added just a couple of basic options and looked at the cart…sticker shock.

 

Ouch no thanks.

 

jeez. How much is a nice full rear bumper with a swingout?

 

Yikes. That's close enough in cost to a nice built bumper with the swing out option. At that price I think that's the route I would end up going.

 

Yeah or buy a welder and a DIY Coastal Offroad kit.

 

The least expensive one is the Detours of Maine version ($795 for a swing away & $390 for a fold down tire carrier):
https://detoursofmaine.com/

I hear he has long lead times and doesn't communicate all the well with his customers. Sounds like a 1 man shop that really needs to hire some help.

 

I have the Rigd tire carrier and love it. Below is my post in this forum of how I relocated the license plate and added led lights.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/li...ddition-for-hitch-mounted-tire-carrier.18995/

I also relocated the rear backup camera using the Aiden-James kit, which is mentioned in my build link above as well. I relocated the camera prior to installing the Rigd carrier.

 

Does any company make a rear bumper with swing out tire carrier with tires centered. They are all off to side. We want ours in the middle.

 

I'm leaning towards the Rigd for that reason. It's centered, keeps the tire lower to maintain rear view line of sight, and you can still run a normal hitch with it. It's just very expensive.

 

I got super lucky with mine! Found it under the scratch and dent section for a great price and didn’t have to wait months to get it. I was able to get it in a week just in time for Xmas.

doesn’t hurt to look in the clearance section every now and then.

 

I looked at these but could not see any pic's from a 90deg side view in order to see how far out it stuck. They look nice and I am tempted quite a bit if they hold up to use.

 

Do you like it? did you buy the fuel holder?

 

I do like it, it feels very solid and there’s no rattling sound when you’re driving around. I’ll take a pic of the side profile but it sticks out about 1.5 ft. It was easy to put together and instal but no I didn’t buy the holder, which in retrospect with the money I saved I should’ve gotten it. The nice thing is it can always be added later