Reviews for Rough Country 10523 Hinged Spare Tire Carrier Kit for 07-18 Jeep Wrangler JK

Sturdy product relatively easy install and works great. I have 35x12.5" tires on 17" wheels so the tire mount had to be pushed up and out almost all the way but regardless it works well.

Built extremely well, me and my boyfriend had it installed in about an hour. It has completely eliminated the torquing and rattling of my tailgate. Such a great purchase, wish I bought it sooner! The only negative is that they provide some new mounting hardware but also requires you to use OE bolts as well. I’d prefer to install this with all new bolts.

I am torn between a 4 & 5 star rating. I put it on a 2010 JK 4 door hardtop I bought it for new 35” tires. The hinge itself is great. Solid on the gate and smooth opening and closing. But some major flaws from Rough Country for the basic jeeper like me who adds upgrades but not mechanically highly sophisticated
1. Instructions are stapled black & white photocopy so it’s really hard to read and see details.
2. What’s in the boxes is unclear. Just a picture and a small list of some of the inclusions. The photo and list do not line up so if you are missing anything it’s impossible to tell which hardware is missing. Also it should correlate to which step you use it for and you have to guess or use trial and error to what fits.
3. You may have to use extenders when you mount the tire back on and no help in that respect. They say 5” wheel spacing but should also tell you width. That is not something I typically know. I know width and size. They have no idea when you call to ask.
4. They have 3 rods for the tire to sit on and secure but they only give you enough to secure 2 of them. They are sending a 3rd after I called them. Not sure if the 3 rd is supposed to be in the kit or not. They aren’t even listed under parts
5. May have to remove a rubber bumper on the gate depending on the tire. So either shave your bumper down and put it back, try to find a plug, or just leave a hole.
6. Their idea for the 3rd rear brake light is to cut the original light down and attach it to the face of the tire. Not attractive. So either buy lights that fit behind the wheel or look at ones that attach to the corners of the hardtop. You can’t attach it to the frame behind the tire and adjust the length so it extends above the tire height.

The hinge can certainly handle the weight of the 35” tire and still have a smooth opening and close. Which is really what I wanted it for The issues are an inconvenience and make the installation process more difficult than it has to be and you may need to purchase some other items to get it set up so it looks good.

I got this tire carrier because it fit my budget, and I needed a carrier sooner than later. I was wanting to get the Rugged Ridge Spartacus tire carrier kit but couldn’t afford it. My buddy has the Rugged Ridge so I’m comparing that to my newly installed Rough Country tire carrier kit.

They both installed pretty easy, except one of my holes doesn’t quite line up. It’s the top right hole for the tire carrier, it has to line up with a hole in the new hinge and the hole in the tailgate. Try as we might, we could not get it to line up. So the carrier is help up with 7of 8 bolts. Still seems really sturdy, time will tell.

The instructions say I was supposed to get two 1/2” lock washers, I didn’t. It came with two 1/2” flat washers. It also came with 4 bolts that are not mentioned in the instructions. I read through it multiple times and nothing. I also matched all hardware up with the listed hardware in the instructions on the first page and I have 4 bolts that aren’t mentioned.

Lastly the overall quality of my Rough Country just isn’t quite as nice as the Rugged Ridge, but this is a couple hundred dollars cheaper so I guess you get what you pay for. There are a couple spots where it looks like a chunk of metal fell off.

Other than that it seems sturdy. The tailgate opens and shuts like it use to. I have a 35in tire on it and it seems to be just fine. I like the relocation of the break light also.

Overall I would say get it if you just can’t afford or save up for the Rugged Ridge. It’s certainly cheaper than others and does the job. I’ll see and update if needed once I get back from Moab in a week.