Spare Tire Carrier

Every spare tire carrier thread should mention Jim's custom made one. Swing-out is the way to go.

Some of his comments:

.......I did a back-of-envelope sketch with a few critical dimensions, and spent a morning at a local welding shop. Later also made two trips to the community college welding class (shoulda started there, I think). Wound up costing me about $225, IIRC, including paint and tire cover.

I had to make one up because no one but RT offered a carrier for the Express van at the time, except a generic hitch mount that blocked both rear doors. By the time I paid dealer markup on the RT item, it woulda been too costy for something that I found so .... errrr...'unattractive'...

Note to anyone copying it: If doing it again, I'd make the hinge point 3" further to the left, so the swing-out would be further / wider by 6". The photos, IIRC, were taken before we added two 1/2" stiffening ribs to the upright, and a second bolt to help hold it shut.

and photos:

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