Can a hitch mount tire carrier take real abuse?

[RedRob]

I’ve found several references to people being happy with their hitch mounted tire carriers, but I find it so hard to imagine that one could really take the punishment of heavy duty off road use. I mean, the way my stuff gets shaken around bouncing down forest and desert roads seems like the rotational force placed on the hitch receiver by the wheel wanting to move left and right would just be too much. Anybody have any experience they would share? Thanks for your time.

 

[lhoffm4]

I built mine from a bike carrier. I attached a spare tire bracket from Amazon and a hitch extender and a double hitch receiver. It still holds two bikes if I want it to. I added some hitch shims to stop it from rattling or bouncing. Works pretty well so far.

 

[tjZ06]

I have a RIG'd loaded down pretty heavy (just my spare is 120+ lbs) and have a lot of time and miles off road with it. So far it works exactly like day 1.



-TJ

 

[grubworm]

i bought a swing-a-way hitch mount but instead of using it for a tire, i put a tray on it and carried my full ice chest and 2 jerry cans full of fuel. probably close to 150 lbs worth of payload and it did fine. we had it out at black gap (west texas) and it got bounced around plenty with all that weight and never had a problem. i bought a cheaper one, so i'm sure the more expensive versions, like rigid, would do excellent. i guess a solid mount would be stronger, but i really like the swing away so i can get into the back of the truck without having to remove the carrier.
so yeah, i would definitely trust a hitch mount carrier

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[madcratebuilder]

Wilco "Offset" loaded with 33" tire and 5 gal fuel was been great for over 3 years, almost 4 now.