Two week old rear bumper with tire carrier has opened three times now while driving. The first time was the only time it swung wildly fortunately. I immediately bought a bunji strap. However I thought it was my fault not closing the carrier fully.

well, I’ve been religiously yanking on it before I leave the house to make sure it’s latched. It has worked its way open two more times. Wtf. Is something wrong with my latch?

 

Yeah they do that!
Remember when you were asking peoples opinions on the $hitibilt bumper I showed you how I had to fix that?

Yeah SUPER dangerous the way they just unlatch. It could cause a horrible accident. Plus when it closes shut, it will move the bumper from where you adjusted it.
So now you either put a secondary latch on it (like I did), or you get ahold of Smittybilt.
The problem is that this is a common problem with the bumper, and Smittybilt doesn't not seam to care.

Don't cheap out on a latch.
Go with a company like De-Sta-C0 or something similar to that brand.

Even if you use a ratchet-strap to keep it closed, there will still be an un-latching while driving. Kinda unnerving.

 

Hmm having trouble finding that post. What exactly did you do to modify it?

 

Actually you had asked about putting a propane tank on the back. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/sm...-mount-264511/

 

thanks for this. Just came back to say I found it and you already posted. Gonna get this done asap before someone gets hurt.

 

my friend has one of those bumper, many rough wheeling trips, never came unlatched on its own. perhaps it comes down to proper adjustment of the latch and catch?

 

Mine has never done that but you have to make sure it closes all the way or it will. The 2 jaws that hold the pin in the latch will only latch halfway if you don't close it hard enough.

 

man. I am 220lb and I yank on this thing hard to make sure it’s closed. Also, I don’t even have my spare or any other weight on it. Something is rattling loose.

 

It's a (known) **** poor design that borderline works for some and not others. SB has chosen not to deal with it...meaning nobody has sued them for damages yet...

YET LOL

 

A shame for sure. I really do like the look and design of this. I got another latch on the way to add as pictured above. Also going to see if I can install a pin somehow just for added safety.

 

If you install it like mine, you wont need anything else.
I still use the factory latch as a secondary, but the clamping latch holds it very secure.

 

If mine starts having this problem I was going to install one of these . I was going to weld a couple of ears and drill a hole to put the pin in .

 

The latch definitely is not s great design. It needs adjustment to work right. Those 4 bolts holding it on can't be TOO tight.

 

funny. I just noticed mine were a little loose earlier today. They are cranked down now. Gonna see if this makes a difference.

 

Just reporting back. The lock mechanism that grabs the striker pin was pretty loose, and mounted too low. After adjusting it up and cranking down the bolts, it hasnt opened once this past week and half. Still probably going to do another latch for safety, but just putting this here for future generations.