Jeep Wrangler No Spare Tire: What to Do
The short answer: once you go past about a 33, your new spare outgrows the factory tailgate mount, and the fix depends on size. A reinforced hinge with an adjustable mount handles up to roughly a 35, a heavy-duty hinged carrier takes a 37 on the tailgate, and a bumper-mounted carrier rests the weight on the frame for the biggest tires. Do not just hang an oversized spare on the stock mount and hope.
Your Wrangler’s factory spare carrier was designed for the stock-size tire, so the moment you upsize, that heavy new spare starts sagging and warping the tailgate. This guide walks through the three real solutions by tire size, so you carry the spare safely. It pairs with our guide on how big of tires fit in the first place.
Why the stock carrier struggles
The problem is weight on the tailgate hinge. The factory mount bolts the spare to the tailgate, and the tailgate hangs on two hinges never meant for a heavy oversized tire. Add a 35 or 37 and the tailgate sags, the door stops latching cleanly, and over time the sheet metal distorts. Reinforcement helps, but the honest limit of any tailgate-mounted solution is how much weight the door itself can carry.
The three solutions by size
| Solution | Handles up to | Weight rests on |
|---|---|---|
| Hinge reinforcement + adjustable mount | About 35 in | Reinforced tailgate |
| Heavy-duty hinged carrier | About 37 in | HD tailgate hinge |
| Bumper-mounted carrier | 37 in and up | Rear frame |
Option 1: reinforce the hinge (up to ~35)
The cheapest path is a tailgate hinge reinforcement plus an adjustable spare mount that fits your new bolt pattern and backspacing. This beefs up the factory hinge so it stops getting saggy, and it works well up to about a 35. Be honest about the limit: reinforcement keeps the hinge from failing, but it does not stop a very heavy tire from slowly altering the tailgate’s shape, so it is best for 35s and under.
Option 2: heavy-duty hinged carrier (up to ~37)
A heavy-duty hinged carrier replaces the factory hinge and mount with a much stronger assembly bolted to the tailgate. Purpose-built kits like the TeraFlex Alpha HD carrier securely mount up to a 37-inch tire and wheel to the tailgate without a full bumper build. This is the sweet spot for a lot of 35 and 37 setups: far stronger than reinforcement alone, without the cost of a rear bumper.
Option 3: bumper-mounted carrier (biggest tires)
For the largest tires, or if you want the sturdiest possible setup, a bumper or swing-out carrier rests the spare’s weight on the rear frame instead of the tailgate. This removes the tailgate from the equation entirely, which is why it is the durable choice for 37s and up. It costs more and is a bigger install, but it is the setup that never sags.
Do not forget the adjustable mount
Bigger tires often come on wheels with a different bolt pattern or backspacing than stock, so the spare can sit too close to or too far from the tailgate. An adjustable spare mount lets you dial the spare in so it clears the glass and sits flush. Most heavy-duty carrier kits include one; if you only reinforce the hinge, add the adjustable mount separately.
What not to do
Do not hang a 35 or 37 on the unreinforced factory mount, and do not simply run without a spare on the trail, where a flat far from help is a real problem. Match the carrier to the tire weight: reinforce for a 35, go heavy-duty hinged or bumper-mounted for a 37. Spending here protects both your tailgate and your ability to get home.
Frequently asked questions
Will a 35-inch spare fit my stock tailgate?
Not safely on the unreinforced factory mount. Add a tailgate hinge reinforcement and an adjustable spare mount, which handles up to about a 35. Beyond that, move to a heavy-duty hinged or bumper-mounted carrier.
What carrier do I need for a 37-inch spare?
A heavy-duty hinged carrier can mount a 37 to the tailgate, and a bumper-mounted carrier that rests the weight on the frame is the sturdiest option. Both are built for that weight in a way the factory mount is not.
Can I just reinforce the factory hinge?
For a 35 or smaller, yes, with an adjustable mount. Reinforcement stops the hinge sagging, but it does not fully prevent a very heavy tire from distorting the tailgate over time, so for 37s step up to a heavy-duty or bumper carrier.
Do I need an adjustable spare mount?
Usually, because bigger tires often use a different bolt pattern or backspacing than stock, which changes how the spare sits. An adjustable mount lets you set it to clear the glass and sit flush. Most HD carrier kits include one.
Related guides
- How Big of Tires Fit a Stock Jeep Wrangler: sizing before you upgrade.
- Best Lift Kits for a Jeep Wrangler: the lift that comes with big tires.
- Best All-Terrain Tires for a Jeep Wrangler: choosing the tire itself.
Sources are linked inline throughout, drawn from tire-carrier manufacturers. See how we research and recommend gear.
