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 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.