Need Drivers Side Tire Carrier...

[mustangmarty]

Why is it most all the aftermarket spare tire carriers are always on the passenger side? I'd prefer an unobstructed view over my right shoulder. Who makes a reasonably priced swing away carrier that is solid enough to keep a solid and quiet hold of a 120 pound tire on the drivers side?

 

[broncodriver99]

If I had to guess it probably has something to do with swinging a tire into traffic to access the rear cargo area of a vehicle while parked on the street or on the side of the road.

 

[AZ73]

Keystone Fabrication built my rear bumper and tire carrier. I purchased the jerry can mount for the driver's side, but also had him build me an extra arm that I use to mount other things to when I take the jerry can arm off. I'm sure he would reverse the tire carrier and put it on the jerry can side since it only requires him to switch the ends on the arms. The bumper and carrier were well made and a good price, but communication with Tyler is hit or miss - everyone's complaint with him. He makes these when he's slow from his other work so it could be a week or 3 months. But he always delivers.

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200556&highlight=keystone

http://www.keystone-fabrication.com...mper-with-Swing-Out-Trail-Rack-Set-eb-rtc.htm

 

[DirtDonk]

My Hanson has the later modular swingaway sections, so I can use either side for the tire, and the other for the accessories. I wanted mine on the left side too, for the reason you state. But 99 has a good point about why you "generally" don't see them on the left.
Kind of tradition at least, assuming there are no actual DOT restrictions. Never heard of any, so it's up to you.

Just about any of the true fab houses will do it whichever way you want I think. Pretty sure we've ordered Protofab bumpers with left side carriers, but I don't remember that for certain.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[sykanr0ng]

If it swings out into traffic and someone runs into it the accident is your fault legally.

 

[ckubacak]

Both ProtoFab4x4 and Keystone Fab will put it on the drivers side, free of charge.

 

[Rustytruck]

Its because the License plate is on that drivers side.

 

[mustangmarty]

Thanks for the responses so far. What kind of price am I looking at for a tire carrier? I already have a solid plate bumper, so I'd like to find just a swing away carrier that I can bolt onto the flat surface of it.

 

[Digger556]

License plate on the left and the truck is naturally heavier on the left, so I put the tire on the right side to help balance out the truck.

 

[mustangmarty]

I'm not so worried about weight distribution. Especially since I've relocated my 75 lb battery in the right rear, and I plan on placing the license plate on the spare tire itself.

 

[Steve83]

...DOT restrictions. Never heard of any...

That's what I eventually found when I asked myself why no vehicles have PW that work with the key off. There's a link in this caption that takes you to the site with the law about windows, so it would be the place to start if you're REALLY curious about spare tires:

If it swings out into traffic and someone runs into it the accident is your fault legally.

If someone runs into your vehicle (or any part of it that's still attached), it's generally assumed to be THEIR fault, unless that part of your vehicle is across any line.

 

[sykanr0ng]

That's what I eventually found when I asked myself why no vehicles have PW that work with the key off. There's a link in this caption that takes you to the site with the law about windows, so it would be the place to start if you're REALLY curious about spare tires:

If someone runs into your vehicle (or any part of it that's still attached), it's generally assumed to be THEIR fault, unless that part of your vehicle is across any line.

If you swing it out into their lane of traffic that makes it your fault.

Spare tire carriers must swing that far in order to get them out of your way when opening the liftgate or tailgate of the Bronco.

 

[mustangmarty]

Also, does anyone make a dual shear, face mounted version that I can bolt to the face of my rear bumper?

 

[toddz69]

Also, does anyone make a dual shear, face mounted version that I can bolt to the face of my rear bumper?

To get back to your question, I don't know of any.

Todd Z.

 

[toddz69]

Spare tire carriers must swing that far in order to get them out of your way when opening the liftgate or tailgate of the Bronco.

I just went out and measured mine for curiosity's sake. My tire sticks out 9" past the side of the body when it's in the position to allow the tailgate to open. If you've got cars coming that close to you, you've got bigger problems!

Todd Z.

 

[mustangmarty]

I agree. Thanks for checking Toddz!

 

[toddz69]

My Hanson has the later modular swingaway sections, so I can use either side for the tire, and the other for the accessories. I wanted mine on the left side too, for the reason you state. But 99 has a good point about why you "generally" don't see them on the left.
Kind of tradition at least, assuming there are no actual DOT restrictions. Never heard of any, so it's up to you.

Just about any of the true fab houses will do it whichever way you want I think. Pretty sure we've ordered Protofab bumpers with left side carriers, but I don't remember that for certain.

Good luck.

Paul

Last year, Lars and I got the first Protofab plate bumper prototypes (Rock Solid in WH parlance) with driver's side spare tire carriers. Yes, we had to move our license plates but it wasn't that big a deal.

In the past 10 years, he and I have been doing a lot more extended, self-contained vehicle trips ('overloading' in the current parlance) and space is at a premium with our small trucks. Our existing bumpers didn't accommodate additional carriers easily and we both like the plate bumper configuration so we talked to Mike and he agreed to use us as test mules. They've worked out well.

Due to the plate bumper's spare tire carrier's design and placement, a passenger side spare placement was out of the question with 34-35" tires. I bought one at the Fab Fords show about 10 years ago - bolted it on for the drive home and by the time I got home I had already decided to sell it. My truck is the exact opposite of diggers - mine leans to the passenger side so the spare on the driver's side helps balance things out .

Todd Z.

 

[Steve83]

[/topic]

If you swing it out into their lane of traffic that makes it your fault.

Yes, that's what I said. But it doesn't ONLY apply to the spare carrier. If your mirror, headlight, or hand crosses into another lane & hits someone or someone's property (including a vehicle), you're guilty for that, too.

Spare tire carriers must swing that far in order to get them out of your way when opening the liftgate or tailgate of the Bronco.

What are you talking about? Do you really think we don't all know how to open a tailgate with a tire carrier? Do YOU? An early Bronco is ~69" wide (excluding mirrors & tire carrier). Its spare may stick out another ~9.5~14" from the body when swung straight back to allow the t/g to open, or forward & flipped with the optional side stowage. That's <7'. A typical lane on a US road is 9~15' wide.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lane