Hey guys im looking to get my spare out of the back of jeep and mount it on my roof or on a system by the hatch. I was looking to get some pros and cons of both systems and what you guys thought was the best or which one you preferred. I've seen both systems home built and that is what I plan to do but am not against buying either. Thanks!

 

I'm in the same situation as you.

1. Inside. Perfect except when you want to go camping.

2. Top rack can make you top heavy. Might need 2 people access it.

3. Typical rear swing-away mount. This is what I'll probably do but I hate it so much for one reason. Take the vehicle with the best all around visibility I've every owned and basically block the whole rear window. I hate this idea so much.

 

I have the "Rock Ratz" roof mounted tire system. Their system is great (get gutter mounted) but it is a giant pita to to remove a 35" tire if you need too. I do it myself but it's not super easy. It is however way cheaper than a bumper.

As for being more top heavy, a few hundred lbs does not make much of a difference on a few thousand lb rig. Most of the bumper mounted ones are above you center of gravity anyways.

I plan on getting the new JCR rear tire carrier bumper only because I do alot of long/camping type trails and the tire takes up too much room on top. Also while nothing has happened to my tires because of it, I dont like my tire constantly being poked/whipped with tree branches.

*edit* rockratz doesn't seem to be in business anymore- shame as they made some cool unique products and were around for aloooong time.

 

What kind of spare tire are you runnin?...........................LOL

 

Durratracs normally- think with the rim they are like ~90lbs. My point is that even with a few hundred lbs up there, it wouldn't make much of a difference... definitely not worded the best lol. Most of your weight Is in the drivetrain which is low. even if you had a spare tire, 10 gallons of fuel, shovels, axes, tent, food etc, it wont make a significant difference in the degree that your going to roll.

 

This was me, all loaded up for camping...................Wife, 2 kids, dog, rear cargo area fully loaded with camping gear...............
Roof top loaded with 14 gallons of water, canopy, cooler, tents, folding chairs, shovel, etc................


We wheeled u[p a decent trail to get back in to the camping area..............and although you could definitely feel like there was a lot of weight up there, at no point did I feel like I was going to tip over...........
I don't run any sway bars front or rear most of the time either..........


I fit all this in/on there.................

 

Haha nice! Thats a ton of gear! Its nice having space up there isn't it? I backpack a ton in the summer but it is so much easier to just load it on the Jeep. Around here you can get to some remote lakes/rivers to fish on some gnarly 4x4 trails (some really good ones by Yellowstone Park). Unfortunately the best lakes are in one wilderness or another and I still have to hoof it for miles lol.

We spent about 10 days in Moab this year and we did the "white rim jeep trail" first. Its not hard compared to the rest of the trails we did but its 130 miles long with only 14 rigs allowed on it at any given time. I had 10 gallons of fuel, 2 tents, myself/my daughter/Sister/brother in law/nephew, my tire, and about 200lbs of gear (kiddos with us) on my roof. I dont even feel the weight up there but I might be used to it lol.

I wonder what the actually weight limit is up there? I just have the stock rack for now.













Sorry to go off-topic a bit OP, but my point is dont worry too much about the weight if you want to throw it on the roof.

 

What are your thoughts about a trailer instead of the roof rack? I personally have both shoulders so damaged that I have trouble lifting a gallon of milk higher than shoulder height. I've found rear bumper/tire carriers, license plate relocation, for less than $700. (Tomken) Big Tex 5' x 8' trailer (30SA) for $1400 and Curt Trailer hitch and wiring for $150 (eBay) I camp and am Guild member at Ren Faires all over SoCal. The canvas for my two tents and canopies is around 250# alone minus poles, and then all the other necessaries. Any thoughts?

 

We built one for my father. We had to make it bear proof as he takes it camping/ hunting. You also want them to be narrow with plenty of ground clearance. This one works pretty good... they are all going to be super bouncy on any type of trail though will need some sort of cover to keep everything from flying out. They really cant be used on any tough trails.



















This isn't ours but one I saw in a parking lot. Similar features/concept.



I built a flat topped one for my raft on 33" tires to make it easier to get it across some of the huge gravel bars and stuff- I could never take it on a trail though- If you go with a trailer, it would have to be tall, short and narrow.

 

Mounted that high up it DOES make a big difference if your in the mountains or on a hillside BTDT. Another thing I'm 6'5" and 350# but I still have problems getting the tire on and off the rack and when its all muddy or full of ice/snow its a whole new deal. After doing it for a year I bought a rear HD swing out tire bumper w/built-in receiver hitch. It is the only way to go for mounting a spare but be sure and get one that centers the spare in the middle.

Here is mine

 

I am 5'10 205 and have taken mine on and off probably 50/60 times when rotating them... Only once on a trail. It has never really given me an issue. I guess it might depend on what kind of shape your in... If you can't shoulder press over 90lbs, might not be a good idea.

And it really doesn't make that large of a difference... Mine has been up on the roof for about 100,000 miles, I live at 5000 feet in the mountains and I have wheeled all over the country. BTDT with my tire on my roof on a 6.5" lift- have yet to tip it on its side even on obstacles like the "escalator" (tons of videos of vehicles flipping upside down in it).

Everyone is entitled to their opinion of course... I think people worry waay too much about flipping. Most people seem to lock up at around 30 degrees... I've had mine at 42 just to see and I had to drive a humvee at 45 in the Army on a confidence course. You think most other non XJ 4x4 rigs that do the same trails have a lower cog than ours? Scouts/Broncos/samuri etc? No. Ive only seen a few rigs roll/flop and they were either being dumb or slid off a trail due to snow/mud etc. Sure you can make something too top heavy if you tried but throwing a tire on the roof? Na- my sliders weight 3x that much and are below my cog.

 

You need to change tires more often when they are in really crappy shape with mud/snow/ice then you tell me more about it.

Your correct high center of gravity means nothing, don't know what I was thinking

 

Ever thought of a fold down hitch mounted tire carrier?
Free's up the roof basket and allows access to and frees up cargo area.
Made this for $55.00.....

 

how did you make this. That's the route I will most likely go.

 

Here is my write up on it.....

http://www.cherokeetalk.com/forum/f6...carrier-48809/